Never Judge

"Cedric, you do know that there is a high chance that Lucius Ting is there just to distract you." Ray said as they sat silently in Cedric's home office.

Cedric felt that planning separately was making things move too slow for them, so he had asked everyone to come over including Seth.

"I know it is." Cedric whispered as he looked down at the drink in his hand. "But what should we do? Lucius Ting will soon cross what is moral and what is not, he will hurt people we love."

"I think he has long crossed that line." Ray said as he shared his thoughts. "What he did to the family of Seth's men, even in the underworld we don't do that without just cause."

Cedric nodded, he knew Ray was right. Lucius Ting had long been more than just a threat to their business, they just didn't see it.

"How are you feeling?" Cedric asked Ray. He knew that today was not only an unconventional meeting, but also the first time that everyone found out about the king of the underworld.

"Nervous, worried." Ray confessed. "The King of the Underworld has never revealed his identity to anyone beyond his own people and some of the heads of each family. Sometimes not all the heads of the Mafia and the Gangs even know who is the king. I'll be the first."

"Seth was confident this would work, Francesca's brother too." Cedric said as he tried to encourage his brother-in-law.

Initially, Cedric and Seth only planned on inviting the heads of the Mafia families they were working with. Namely the Dean and Rocci families, but when Ray found out, he convinced Cedric to use his entire network.

Lucius Ting was a danger not just to them, but to every single person in the country.

"Seth and Andres are allies of ours, they are some of my closest people. The others, not so much. They follow out of fear and respect, the Deans and the Roccis do so out of loyalty and trust." Ray voiced his worry for the first time.

Cedric placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and nodded.

He understood what Ray was going through, he like his friend had to reveal his identity to a much wider circle as time went on, and it never got easier.

A knock came from the door, making Cedric and Ray sit up.

"Sir." A maid said as she slowly pushed the door open. "Mr. Dean has arrived."

"They're early." Cedric frowned. He had told Seth to come a little bit later since he knew that Ray would need to sort out his emotions first.

"Should I ask him to wait?" The maid asked, knowing that there was something off with Cedric's hesitation.

"No, no, let him in." It was Ray that answered for Cedric.

He knew that Cedric was hesitating because of him, because he was trying to mentally prepare himself for what was to come.

"Please call for Ian and the others to come down as well." Cedric instructed the maid as he got up and walked to his desk.

The maid nodded and closed the door.

"I think it's best if you sit somewhere else." Cedric told Ray as he pointed at the seat at the head of the table.

"What about you?" Ray asked as he looked at his friend and brother-in-law.

Everyone knew who was really the most influential man in the room, and it was not Ray.

"I'm happy to sit here behind my desk." Cedric said with a grin. His desk was right behind the head of the table and had a much more comfortable chair.

Ray nodded and didn't complain. He simply got up and sat where Cedric had pointed.

"Mr. Reyes, Mr. Laurence." Seth greeted as he entered with several of his men.

The men with Seth were very confused, this was the first time they had heard of their boss meeting with the magnates of the business world.

Ray was known to be very by the book and as a nephew of the President, he was seen to be one of the more law abiding businessmen.

Ray simply nodded in response, acknowledging Seth's presence. It seemed to be a code as Seth walked closer to Ray and gave him a small bow before finding a spot three seats down from Ray.

The men with Seth simply stood behind him in silence as they clasped their hands behind their backs. It was clear that they were tense, as if expecting something bad was going to happen.

"How is the Dean family business?" Ray asked Seth, breaking the silent and awkward atmosphere that lingered in the room.

"Thriving, sir." Seth said as he kept his head down.

Cedric assumed that this was some sort of gesture among the people of the underworld when speaking to your superior.

"No threats inside or out, I hope." Ray told Seth.

"None, sir." Seth's responses were quite short and straight to the point, making Cedric want to laugh.

"Cedric! Ray!" Ian said loudly as he burst through the door. "Oh, Seth, you're here."

Seth nodded and glanced at Ray as if seeking his permission.

Ray didn't say a thing, so Seth got up and shook hands with his friend.

"You're early." Ian commented as he glanced at the people who came with Seth.

"I wanted to make a good impression." Seth confessed.

"Yeah, an awkward silent impression." Ian laughed at his friend.

The men who arrived with Seth visibly relaxed when they saw Ian. Cedric assumed that they knew who Ian was and his connection to the Dean family.

"What time are the others arriving?" Ian asked as he made his way to Ray's left and sat down.

"They were told to arrive at four pm." Ray answered.

"They'll all arrive before that." Ian said as he glanced at the door. "Francesca is with the girls, she said her brother was five minutes out."

Ray nodded, but didn't say a thing.

When Ian mentioned Francesca and her brother, the men with Seth glanced at each other but didn't say a thing. They obviously knew who Francesca Rocci was.

"Do you mind if I serve myself a drink, Cedric?" Ian asked as he glanced at the man behind the big intimidating desk.

"Help yourself.." Cedric said with a smile, eager for everyone to arrive.