"They what?"
Lucien's jaw dropped, genuine shock flashing across his face. He didn't even bother to hide it from Ben.
"Yes… They've already overthrown your brother," Ben said casually, as if announcing the weather.
Lucien stared at him in disbelief. That wasn't supposed to happen, not this fast.
He had planned to wait until Vincent got comfortable on the throne, only to watch him flounder when reality hit him in the face.
But this?
"Is my brother actually that dumb?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated.
Vincent had been right there when Lucien rose to power. He should've known why the Serpent didn't go after some capos with brute force.
Guns and violence meant nothing to men like them. They were too strong, too clever, and far too loyal to the famiglia for that to work.
The reason they didn't back Lucien at first had just been a test.
That's why he never moved against them. Lucien hadn't spelled it out to Vincent… but honestly, wasn't it obvious?
