In no way would I risk Death himself beating me to a pulp.

“Her board of directors I assume did a terrible job.” Since when did he stock his office with gin? That shit is disgusting.

“Evans is a good team player, he just fails at leadership. The entire company is going to need an overhaul.”

If I were to wager to guess, he had a plan brewing in that cold mind of his. What it was wouldn’t be revealed until it was time to take action.

If you tell those around you your plans too soon, it gives them time to make a move against you. Always operate as if nothing will change and then when it does, no one can stop you when you implement a plan that cannot be stopped. The game of chess isn’t just a game—it's your war strategy.

It worked well for him. No one was able to cross him yet, and he remained on top as his father did before him. He must have wondered if his company would die with him before I came along as a baby left on his doorstep. Some days, he acted like it even with me around. Other days, he spoke in almost code about how I needed to be prepared for certain situations.

No one ever got a real read on my grandfather. His late wife might have, but she died long ago.

“We’d need to make one quickly with the vultures circling the Montgomery girl waiting to attack at any moment.”

He waved off my comment. “Always operate...”

”...as if nothing will change.”

”Good boy.” He slapped the table and stood. Pacing around the room and contemplating.

The only read I was ever able to get on him was when he paced his office in deep thought. Things would get tense and he would pace—that’s how I knew things would happen shortly after. He never had a poker tell, but he never got up from the table and walked around when he played.

“We have intel on the Wilder heir.” Reaper butt in. He was impatient to share because he wanted to go home and drink himself to death with however many cats he picked up this week.

The Dictator stopped. “Do tell.”

He relayed the story of when he saw her causing a ruckus before the guy we trailed ended up dead. He didn’t mention how he said he thought that was her from security footage, but knowing him, he probably identified her properly.

Reaper wasn’t the type you doubted if you wanted to stay alive.

“So this girl has been living with the Montgomery heir and no one thought to prod into her life or background?” His anger was growing again and maybe he’d find something to beat us both with at this rate.

“You told me to stay away from her until you assigned us together.”