Book cover Submissive to the Billionaire mafia Boss

chapter four

POV TYlER

“You don’t have the right to talk about the twins!” I shouted, feeling the pain in my shoulder throb even more. I forced myself up from bed, ignoring my body’s protests. “You had no right to organize their funeral without consulting me! " You should have been focused on finding out who did this, not acting like they’re already just memories!”

Paul’s eyes gleamed with something between contempt and irritation.

“The funeral is necessary," paul said. " The world needs to see that our family doesn’t bend, that we move forward.”

“Move forward?” I lunged, ignoring the pain that was tearing me apart inside. My hand grabbed his collar before he could react. “You think I’ll move on while the person who did this is still out there? You taught me to never let an insult like this go unanswered, but now you seem more concerned with appearances than with justice!”

Paul tried to break free, but my rage was stronger.

“I’ll find out who killed my kids, Paul. And I’ll finish them off. With my own hands, if necessary.”

He pushed me hard, making me stumble and almost fall back into bed. His gaze was pure ice.

“Do whatever you want, but remember: I don’t tolerate weakness.” Paul leaned slightly forward, his voice low and cutting, like a blade sliding through the skin. “Prove that you’re still worthy of being my successor. Or give up now and accept that the twins died because of your incompetence.”

The hatred in his eyes hit me full force, but what he said next was even worse.

“And now pay attention, Tyler. Jasper and Nathan are dead. There are no more heirs in our family. That means you need to have another child... number three. We need an heir to our empire.”

His words echoed in the room, cold, with no trace of emotion.

I sat up slowly, my aching muscles barely responding, but the fury kept me steady.

"Are you serious?" My voice came out low, heavy with disbelief. "They were your grandchildren, Paul! They just died, and all you can think about is that I should have another child? How can you be so... so insensitive?"

Paul looked at me as if I were a child complaining about something trivial. He lifted his chin, his eyes gleaming with the same cold, calculating look as always.

"Soldiers." He pronounced the word slowly, with a disdain that made my teeth grind. "That's what they were, Tyler. Soldiers. Just like you."

I could barely breathe. Soldiers. To him, that was all we were. All we would ever be.

He took a step forward, coming close enough for his shadow to cover me.

"Time is a luxury we don't have, and the family needs a new heir. Now. Jasper and Nathan are dead, and this void needs to be filled. An empire like ours can't afford to wait for your grief."

My whole body tensed, the pain in my shoulder and cuts being replaced by rising fury.

"You're pathetic." The words escaped my lips before I could stop them. "You say we're family, but all you see are pieces on a board. Jasper and Nathan weren't just soldiers, they were your grandchildren, d*mn grandchildren! They were kids!"

Paul tilted his head to the side, as if assessing an uninteresting speech.

"And you should understand this better than anyone. Life is like that, Tyler. Only the strongest survive. And if you want to mourn the losses, do it after ensuring our bloodline continues. Because, like it or not, that's your responsibility now."

He turned his back before I could respond, the calculated sound of his footsteps echoing on the wooden floor.

"Oh, and remember," he said, stopping at the door. "You may hate this, but you have no choice. When you're ready to act like a man, let me know."

Then he left, leaving only the scent of his expensive cologne and the weight of his bitter words behind.

I stood there, my fists clenched, my chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. Every fiber of my body screamed in pain, but the pain was good. It reminded me of who I was. And what I had to do.

The door opened softly, and Ana entered. Her face was pale, her eyes filled with concern, but her voice kept a professional tone.

"It's all set, Tyler. Everyone is waiting for you."

I took a deep breath, wiping away the stubborn tear that threatened to fall. I had to be strong. At least in front of them.

"I'm coming down."

She nodded and left, leaving me alone again. I stood up slowly, feeling every muscle protest, but I ignored it. The pain didn’t matter. Nothing mattered now.

When I descended, I saw the small group of people gathered in silence around the empty casket. Discreet tributes were being made, murmurs, and heads bowed. The photos of Jasper and Nathan were on the casket, surrounded by flowers. No body. Just burned wreckage. Just ashes.

I waited until everyone had left, the murmured condolences and pitying glances finally disappearing. Then I approached.

I stood there, looking at the photos. Two smiling faces, full of life. Two lives I should have protected. A tear slowly slid down my face, and I didn’t wipe it away.

"I promise..." my voice came out hoarse, almost a whisper. "I promise I’ll find out who did this." And I’ll make them pay. Every single one of them."

I gripped the casket tightly, the weight of the vow anchoring me to the ground.

Soon after, the burial began. The casket was lowered next to the gravestones of Jasper and Nathan, near where Josh and other brothers rested. A row of names etched in stone, marking the bloody legacy of our family.

The rain began to fall, light at first, then heavier. Everyone gradually dispersed, but I stayed. Standing still, staring at the gravestones, the drops mixing with the fresh earth.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I answered without thinking, my gaze still fixed on the etched names.

"I found the girl," came Paul’s cold, relentless voice. "I found the woman who will be the mother of your next child."

I closed my eyes, my fist tightening around the phone so hard I almost broke it.

"Are you serious?" I muttered, my voice heavy with exhaustion and anger.

"Very serious. Time doesn't stop, Tyler. And the family needs a new heir. And she... well... I've been researching her for a while. The girl is perfect, just like Shasha was for us!"

He hung up before I could respond.

I stood there, the anger growing again, but subdued by the pain. The rain kept falling, washing away the blood from my wounds and the dirt from the earth, but it couldn’t cleanse the weight I carried. I had no choice. But that didn’t mean I was going to obey without a fight.