The Path Of A True King.-Chapter 31: Our Leader.

Chapter 71

Kai waited outside the building Jack was staying in. He’d left Jack asleep, knocked out like a rock.

Kai had started living here recently it was close to the gang’s base, and honestly, the place was just cool.

It didn’t take long before Tony pulled up in the SUV. Kai hopped in, but a thought had been nagging at him.

"Hey Tony," Kai said, "You said Ben and a few of the guys stole this SUV and the van from some rich guy, right? You think that’ll come back to bite us?"

Tony, driving with a cigarette between his fingers, shook his head. "Nah.

The guy made a bet with Ben at some casino in the Centre District.

Lost, but refused to pay up.

Since the bet wasn’t tied to anything official, Ben couldn’t go through the casino to get his money.

So he called us.

We paid the guy a little visit, gave him a talk.

He handed over the SUV and the van as an apology... before Ben shot him.

Took out his whole family too."

Kai gave a silent nod and didn’t ask anything else. He changed the topic instead.

"Heard Tristan threw a party last night."

Tony chuckled. "Yeah, surprised me too. He’s usually the quiet, intimidating type. But last night? Smiling, drinking, smoking, partying like a whole new person."

"I just want to check on him," Kai said, smirking a bit. "See how things are going after taking over that territory. Two more to go before the gangless area becomes ours."

"You heard from Ben?" he asked next.

"Yeah, he told me to meet him at the spot," Tony replied, flicking his cigarette out the window.

Later – Main Gambling House

The moment Kai stepped inside, the scent of smoke and alcohol hit him like a wall. The place was trashed—drunk men passed out on the floor, naked women lounging around.

Kai frowned. "If Elijah finds out about this, he won’t be too happy. Let’s keep this between us and the guys here."

Tony nodded. "You sure you don’t want to shut it down?"

Kai shook his head. "No.

Elijah wouldn’t either.

But he’ll lose respect for Tristan and Kevin if he finds out they let this happen."

They headed upstairs. Kai entered Tristan’s room—the boss room.

The smell inside was even worse: booze, sweat, smoke.

A woman was on top of Tristan, grinding slowly.

He was casually smoking, looking toward the door like nothing was out of the ordinary.

"What’s up, Vice Leader?" Tristan said, signaling the woman to stop.

He zipped up his pants and stubbed out his cigarette. "You should’ve told me you were coming. I’d have cleaned up."

Kai shrugged. "Doesn’t matter. I came to check in—and ask a favor."

Tristan studied him for a moment while the woman nearby started fixing herself. Tony, now alert, subtly reached for his gun, but relaxed when all he saw was another woman stepping out of the bathroom—with Kevin behind her.

"Kai," Kevin slurred, clearly tipsy, "you picked the wrong time to visit."

Kai glanced at the couch but decided against sitting. Instead, he got straight to the point.

"The fighting clubs, the strip clubs, the gambling dens—are they all up and running?" Kai questioned

Tristan raised an eyebrow. "We’ve had the territory for over a week now. Why wouldn’t they be?"

Kai smirked as Kevin stumbled to the couch, hugging the stripper he’d just been with.

"You’re smart, Tristan. Maybe too smart. But I’ve got one question—who gave you permission to spend $4,000 on this party?"

Tristan stood and stepped away from the table. "I’m a Vice Leader too, Kai. Gang money’s for both of us to use. And you’re not the leader, so chill."

Kai stayed calm.

No irritation showed on his face. "You’re right. I’m not the leader. But are you?"

Kevin scoffed. "Whatever. We already asked Elijah. He said it was fine."

Kai’s face twisted. "Elijah gave you permission to blow gang money on strippers, alcohol, and smoke like it’s a damn festival?"

He looked Tristan dead in the eye. "If Elijah really said yes, then fine. I’ll let it go.

But next time, make sure every man is up and working.

I mainly came here to check on the situation and see where that money went."

Tristan nodded. "Next time, just ask."

He smirked. "You should’ve joined us, though."

Kai shook his head. "Nah. I don’t like being drunk, and I’m not interested in sleeping with a hole."

The woman near Kevin scowled. Kevin groaned, "Bro, don’t say that about our beautiful girls."

Kai smiled. "You need to go sleep, man. Wake up when you’re sober."

"I am sober," Kevin protested.

"Not even close," Kai said, chuckling, then turned to Tristan. "Why aren’t you affected?"

Lighting another cigarette, Tristan replied, "I can’t get drunk. This is as far as it goes for me."

Kai nodded. "So, about that favor..."

Tristan exhaled smoke. "What is it?"

Kai took a breath. "Talk to Elijah. His first kill... it’s messing with him more than he realizes."

Tristan gave him a puzzled look. "Is this another test or something?"

Kai mirrored the confusion. "What do you mean?"

Tristan shrugged. "You and Elijah—childhood friends, basically brothers, always together. Why me?"

Kai thought for a moment. "You doing the favor or not?"

Tristan leaned back, arms resting casually on the chair. "Tell me why first."

Kai exhaled slowly, his expression briefly darkening with something unspoken.

Tristan gave a short chuckle. "Sounds like something interesting went down."

"You gonna do it or not?" Kai asked again, his voice more serious this time.

Tristan smirked. "Yeah, don’t worry. I got it."

He watched Kai carefully, but Kai just nodded. "Then I’ll take my leave. I need to meet up with Ben. Also, keep an eye out—the two unranked gangs have started making moves again."

Tristan’s expression shifted as he nodded, now taking things more seriously. Kai left without another word.

Kevin, still slouched on the couch, looked up groggily. "Is this why Mai was pissed earlier?"

Tristan didn’t answer right away. Instead, he walked over and closed the door, his face thoughtful. "Yeah... I think so. Either he did something to piss her off, which pissed off Elijah—or it’s the other way around. I’ll ask Elijah when I see him today."

He grabbed his jacket off the back of the chair.

"Girls, head home," Tristan said, glancing at the lingering women. "Kevin, drink some water and get some sleep. I’m gonna hit the shower, then meet with Mai."

Kevin blinked in confusion. "Why Mai?"

Tristan answered quickly, already walking out. "Because she’s the only one who knows where Elijah is. He hasn’t been home in two days—just keeps calling in."

Kevin’s eyes widened. "Wait—how do you know that?"

Tristan rolled his eyes and smacked the back of Kevin’s head lightly. "He’s our leader. We should always know what’s going on with him."