2022.

It had only been a few months since Johnny's death, but to Jacob, it felt like it had happened yesterday. It was evening, dinner had been served hours ago, and the new leader wore a white V-neck shirt and gray sweatpants. He was seated on Johnny's throne, now his own, hands on the armrests, legs crossed, looking like he was deep in thought.

He was seated on Johnny's throne, now his own, hands on the armrests, legs crossed, looking like he was deep in thought [https://img.wattpad.com/79d371dc8e6defe4e70f78efd82d632b4caa70fa/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6347656b4c586c2d3538715461513d3d2d313439383433333630372e3138306338653666346165363433336133323531373036383433332e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

In the months after the tragedy, the Cobra heir had tried to mimic him in every way. His moves, his way of talking, even his sense of style. Yet, the images of that night stayed sharp. The blood, Johnny's pale face, his mother's screams. It was all still fresh. Too fresh.

Just as he was about to embrace his new role as leader, another shadow started creeping into the darkness. He heard something. Maybe a groan or something else. He got up from the throne and started walking through the halls of the Dragonhill mansion. Something was coming from his mother's bedroom.

With silent steps, he got close to the door, pushed it open a bit, and the scene unfolding before him hit like a sharp blade stabbing his chest.

What the... he thought, lips tightening and eyes widening in shock as he peered through the crack in the door.

With her chest in full view, Samantha was wrapped around Wade, whose muscular, athletic body was covered in dark chest hair.

image [https://i.imgur.com/q6Lxmsu.jpeg]

image [https://i.imgur.com/WggcR5O.jpeg]

The bed where Wade and Samantha were about to make love was a silver-canopied, elegant piece; it had once been Johnny and Samantha's love nest. Now, though, it had become the stage for a betrayal that threatened to shatter everything Jacob had tried to hold together.

«Wade, we gotta be careful. Someone might hear us...» she whispered, pulling the covers up a bit, while Jacob, shoulders stiff, leaned against the door and listened to the pair's words.

«Don't worry, baby,» murmured Wade, getting more comfortable in the bed. «Johnny's gone, and no one suspects a thing. We can finally be together,» he continued, his face inches from Samantha's, smiling.

Wade's words hit Jacob's ears, and the trust he had in both his uncle and his mom was crumbling before his eyes. His muscles tensed even more as he turned slightly, resting his head against the door without making a sound, while the two kissed.

«I know, Wade. But Jacob's still around. We gotta be careful,» Samantha replied after the passionate kiss.

«He's just a kid,» Wade said with a sigh. «He won't suspect a thing. And we deserve this happiness after all we've been through,» he continued, placing a hand on Samantha's leg.

«I just hope he never finds out. It'd destroy him,» she answered, looking toward the dresser to her right.

«He won't. And even if he did, what could he possibly do?» Wade replied with a smug smile, resting his head on the pillow.

Jacob's heart felt like it had stopped, his hands gripping the doorknob.

Traitors... Have you already forgotten him? he thought through gritted teeth. After everything he did for us, you rats...

Without a second thought, Jacob pulled back, closing the door slowly. Silently.

How could they betray Dad like this? he couldn't help but think as he made his way back to the kitchen to grab some vodka. It's... unacceptable, he thought again, blinking as he poured a bit into a glass.

But then, just as he was about to take a sip, a bad feeling hit him. He lifted his head suddenly and let the glass fall to the ground.

What if it was all just one big plan of his? he kept thinking, eyes widening as the glass hung in mid-air. What if he's trying to get rid of me too? he wondered, turning towards the door to the room where Samantha and Wade lay, clenching his fists as the glass shattered.

Jacob stared at the broken glass and the liquid spreading across the floor, unable to look away. After a moment of contemplation, he turned and left the kitchen, heading to his room with his gaze lowered to the parquet floor.

After a moment of contemplation, he turned and left the kitchen, heading to his room with his gaze lowered to the parquet floor [https://img.wattpad.com/2d985c1d1aec85da008b1b46f69aeaaea4897ee2/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f64695f2d387732346d556e5976673d3d2d313439383433333630372e313830633865613833393037613537303434383236373039393130372e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

He entered his room, slammed the door behind him, and threw himself on the bed. Then he put his hands over his face, clutching his temples tightly, running his fingers through his blond hair, as if he could brush away the pain and anger with a simple gesture. Jacob stayed like that, motionless, before finally falling asleep.

The next day, the new Cobra leader made the decision to act and called in the most experienced members of the gang—Vin, Jason, Mark, and Brian—into his father's study, now his own.

The study was filled with pictures of him and Johnny, and there was also a huge portrait of his father. Jacob was wearing a perfectly pressed white shirt, buttoned all the way down to his stomach, showing off his defined pecs, just like the one his dad, Johnny, used to wear, while the other gang members were dressed in light cardigans with the sleeves rolled up and vests of different colors since it was still summer.

«Alright, guys, it's finally time to move,» he started as he sat down, raising his voice. «The Spyders dared to challenge us, and we're not gonna let that slide,» he went on, suddenly standing up and slamming his right hand down on the black table. «We'll wipe them out tonight. Every last one of 'em!» he exclaimed, nodding his head and clenching his left fist.

Vin shook his head and stepped forward. He was a thirty-four-year-old man, tall with broad shoulders. He had short brown hair, blue eyes and wore a dark blue cardigan.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

«Jacob, I get why you're pissed,» he started, sighing and then looking at the other members [https://img.wattpad.com/3c619cb7e11ee34f8419d1209ec23997b7070bfd/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6131514b66644e473652696a5a673d3d2d313439383433333630372e313830633731656238623038663663333933303334373930383931362e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

«Jacob, I get why you're pissed,» he started, sighing and then looking at the other members. «But we gotta think this through before jumping in,» he continued, opening his arms slightly. «We're not sure we can win a war that might come from a direct attack,» Vin finished, tilting his head forward.

Jacob stared at Vin and crossed his arms for a moment.

«Vin, I know the risks,» the leader explained, returning his arms to a normal position and then walking away from the table. «I've got a plan to ambush their drug spots. We'll catch them by surprise, and finally avenge my father,» Jacob continued, stepping face to face with him.

Jason, who was to his right, nodded, and his hands began to shake a little at the thought. He was a man in his fifties, short, with a shaved head and a thick brown mustache, the same color as his eyes. He wore a beige vest over a white shirt

«If you say you've got a plan, Jacob, count me in, but we gotta make sure it's the right move,» Jason said, still sounding unsure as he stepped closer to the two [https://img.wattpad.com/f33d790a36e83fcbf6cab046ae5c70181ddf762a/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6e304b36684b3775495a7a524d673d3d2d313439383433333630372e313830633731656639663430353434333832333033393231303339362e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

«If you say you've got a plan, Jacob, count me in, but we gotta make sure it's the right move,» Jason said, still sounding unsure as he stepped closer to the two.

«Jason's right, Jacob,» said Brian, to his left, looking at the others. «You wanna send 'em to the other side? Fine, but we need to be ready and quick. We can't let it turn into some pointless bloodbath...» Brian went on, waving his right hand.

He was of medium height, around thirty-five, with curly brown hair, a clean-shaven face, and a light gray cardigan.

He was of medium height, around thirty-five, with curly brown hair, a clean-shaven face, and a light gray cardigan [https://img.wattpad.com/4d1565a4c171b31342243245c5364a1c19a71eef/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4d393836724c42616670445f56773d3d2d313439383433333630372e313830633731633938623731313034633836323235363336363232332e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Jacob narrowed his eyes and turned toward Brian, looking a little disappointed.

Pointless? Who do they think they're dealing with? he thought, still glaring at him.

«Enzo, Manu, Oliver, and Bruno will set up the attack, and...» Jacob began to explain, pacing in front of each of his men, but was cut off by Mark.

«But is it worth it? Could mess up our business...» his henchman said, placing his hands on his wide hips.

Mark was a man in his forties, with long light brown hair and slightly slouched shoulders. His face was thin and tense, and he wore an olive green vest.

Jacob clenched his teeth and turned toward the table to his right [https://img.wattpad.com/250ff117a0e4aef6c8dfcaf3d590aa70b31d1f2b/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f7166444f38687954636c377330413d3d2d313439383433333630372e3138306337316531633530613539626639303433363830313838312e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Jacob clenched his teeth and turned toward the table to his right. He grabbed an ashtray and threw it to the ground, shattering it into a thousand pieces.

«Of course it's worth it!» the leader shouted, his eyes blazing. «They crossed the line. Dad and Ivan were supposed to talk business, but instead... he...» he continued, widening his eyes. «HE'S GONNA PAY FOR THIS!» Jacob stormed up to Mark and yelled in his face, almost spitting on him.

The elders of the gang agreed to the plan in the end. Even though it was a bold move, Jacob had to defend his clan and protect it by striking back.

The next evening, at the Cobra mansion in Dragonhill, Jacob, Samantha, and Wade found themselves face-to-face in their grand living room. Around them were expensive carpets covering the parquet floor, memorabilia, and golden furniture. There was also the throne, resting near a giant painting of Johnny, which had been hung up just a few days earlier.

Dressed in a gray polo, Jacob locked eyes with Samantha, the woman he had always loved and respected but now felt like a stranger to him. Jacob's mom wore a tight purple Balmain blouse, super expensive, that slid off her shoulders.

«Mom, I can't just sit back,» his son started, opening his arms. Jacob's eyes lingered on the picture of his dad for a moment before returning to stare at Samantha. «I'm doing this for Dad,» Jacob continued, nodding as he raised his chin. «I have to be a role model for the clan and show that I'm not afraid to take risks,» he added, wagging his finger downward to emphasize his point. «It's my responsibility.»

In response to her son's words, Samantha shrugged slightly.

«Jacob, I understand your anger,» she began, looking down for a moment and sighing. «But the leader should never be on the front lines,» she suggested, slowly lifting her eyes toward him and then glancing at a photo of her, Jacob, and Johnny together, which sat on a shelf behind her son. «A king protects his kingdom from behind,» Samantha added more firmly, tilting her head slightly toward Wade, who was standing next to her, dressed in a green t-shirt that showed off his muscular build.

Jacob's uncle cleared his throat, briefly meeting Samantha's gaze before speaking.

«Your mom's right, Jacob,» Wade said, stepping a little closer to his nephew. «Your safety is crucial for the future of the clan,» he added, nodding.

Jacob, however, tilted his head, and the muscles in his arms tightened under his polo. There was a brief silence after Wade's words, and his nephew's gaze quickly shifted from his mother to his uncle.

«My mom... Or your lover? Huh, uncle?» he provoked, slightly opening his mouth and showing his teeth.

Caught off guard, Wade took a step back, his face surprised as he met his nephew's harsh glare.

«What?» he asked, trying to hide his unease. He ran a hand across his neck and shot a quick glance at Samantha and then back to Jacob.

«How could you, Mom?» the blond-haired boy accused, shaking his head. «Dad just died, and you betrayed his memory with his brother!» Jacob shouted, raising his voice and gesturing with his arms forcefully.

A silence fell for a few seconds as the two lovers realized what they had done.

«How can you think you can give advice on our future?» Jacob shouted, pointing his finger at his mother and then his uncle, his chest rising and falling with the tension. «You disgust me!»

Samantha stiffened, her eyes lowered as her hands trembled. Wade, on the other hand, avoided Jacob's gaze and put a hand to his forehead.

«Jacob, it was a terrible mistake, a moment of weakness...» his mom explained, stretching her right arm out toward her son.

«STAY WHERE YOU ARE!» the new Cobra leader yelled, slapping her hand away and taking a step back. «A moment of weakness? You think you're dealing with a kid?» Jacob shot back, narrowing his eyes. «This has been going on for months, you thought I wouldn't find out? Huh?» he asked, shaking his head forcefully.

Wade cleared his throat again and took a step forward, raising his hands in a sign of surrender.

«Jacob, I'm sorry, but...» Wade started to say with a broken voice, but his nephew interrupted him.

«No, I don't believe you, I heard what you said,» Jacob retorted, his gaze sharp.

At the sound of those words, Wade's eyes widened as Jacob raised a finger and shook it, then quickly glanced at the throne behind them and at the picture of his father.

«YOU BETRAYED US ALL!» he yelled again, tilting his head toward his uncle.

With his face tight and his eyes now watery, Samantha's shoulders slumped, and her head tilted with guilt.

«Jacob, you're right,» she said, then opened her palms. «But now we need to put our differences aside for the good of the clan and...» she tried to change the subject, but Jacob shot her a cold look and interrupted her immediately.

«I don't know if I'll ever forgive you,» Jacob replied, baring his teeth. «I'll put my disgust aside, but know this. Things between us will never be the same again,» the new boss finished, turning abruptly and walking out of the living room, leaving Samantha and Wade with their heads down and full of guilt.