Cover of King of Ashes: A Novel

King of Ashes: A Novel

by S. A. Cosby


Genre
Crime, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery
Year
2025
Pages
316
Contents

October 26

Overview

Roman consolidates his takeover of Jefferson Run's underworld, addressing the BBB as their new boss, cremating Salaazar's head, and declaring his crematory will launder their profits. When Jealousy arrives anxious about her missing brothers, Roman comforts her with lies, but she peers through the garage window and pieces together the truth, realizing the man she loves—and may be carrying a child by—murdered her brothers.

Summary

At night in the crematory, Roman addresses D-Train, Corey, Tank, the Bang Bang Twins, and the rest of the BBB. He outlines his plan to launder their profits through his legitimate business, announces he is leaving for Atlanta with D-Train in charge, and promises that he and Khalil will reshape the gang into a precise, business-minded operation. He references Khalil's brutal recovery of stolen money as proof of their new methods.

When Corey asks about the remnants of the GTC trying to regroup, Roman opens a cremation box and pulls out Ernesto Salaazar's severed head before pushing the box into the oven. He declares Neveah is no longer part of Carruthers Cremation Services and that the BBB will deal only with him for body disposal. Watching the flames, Roman silently mourns his father, brother, mother, and the love he lost with Neveah. When Corey keeps questioning, Roman threatens him with an empty urn, and Corey falls silent.

The doorbell interrupts. Jealousy arrives, worried because her brothers Torrent and Tranquil have been missing for two weeks. Roman, now living with her after the funerals and intending to sell his family home, hugs her and reassures her that her brothers will turn up. He tells her to wait in the lobby so they can have dinner and file a police report tomorrow. They share an intimate moment reflecting their public and private dynamic.

Instead of waiting, Jealousy walks around to the roll-up door and peers through the window. She sees Roman silhouetted against the roaring oven, holding court over the men like supplicants. She recognizes D-Train's Caddy and recalls her brother Terrance's saying that "the devil ain't got no friends." Touching her belly—she is two weeks late and may be carrying Roman's child—she connects the strange peace in Jefferson Run to her brothers' disappearance and Roman's repeated phrase. A tear falls as she whispers, "Everything burns," realizing what Roman has done.

Who Appears

  • Roman Carruthers
    New crime boss of Jefferson Run; addresses BBB, cremates Salaazar, lies to Jealousy about her brothers.
  • Jealousy
    Roman's girlfriend, possibly pregnant; worried about missing brothers, peers through window and realizes Roman's guilt.
  • Corey
    BBB member who questions Roman about the GTC; silenced by Roman's veiled threat.
  • D-Train
    BBB lieutenant placed in charge by Roman during his Atlanta absence.
  • Khalil
    Roman's partner; mentioned for brutally recovering stolen money from a robber.
  • Ernesto Salaazar
    GTC leader, now dead; his severed head is cremated by Roman as proof of the GTC's defeat.
  • Neveah Carruthers
    Roman's sister, mentioned as having left town and no longer part of the family business.
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