Dirty (RAW Family 2)

I tuck the yellow envelope under the pillow, lie back down on the cheap bed, close my eyes, and sleep as a free man.

The sun heats my skin the moment I open the door. Before I’ve even helped Ana out of the car and into the wheelchair, she throws open the door and peers down at us from the front door.

Wearing a pair of blue jeans and a loose white tee, her long brown hair trails her back as she walks out to meet us, barefoot and smiling like a fool. She reaches us and, almost completely ignoring me, she smiles softly down at Ana, who tries her best to smile around the bandaged part of her face.

Lexi reaches out without permission and takes both of Ana’s hand in hers, squeezing her good hand tightly while holding the other gently. “Oh, Ana, it’s so nice to meet you. I can’t wait to show you around.” Releasing her hands, she moves around the wheelchair and bumps me out of the way with her hip, throwing me a sly wink then reaching out to squeeze my hand in a silent but meaningful greeting.

We are welcome here.

Ana hasn’t spoken much in the last few days, but something tells me that Lexi will help in that matter.

I work on getting our suitcases out of the black luxury sedan and listen to Lexi talk Ana’s ear off. “My son, AJ, he’s four and, given the chance, he’ll talk your ear off, so it’s okay to tell him you need space. He’s good like that, understanding. Oh, and I had access ramps installed all over the house.” She breathed out a soft laugh. “It’s good to know people in the health service sector. I used to be a social worker, you know? So whatever you need, you just ask, okay?” As Lexi pushes the wheelchair into the house, she utters a confident, “You’re just going to love it here. Welcome to Sydney.”

I chuckle to myself at the tornado that is Lexi. I’m starting to feel okay with uprooting Ana against doctors’ orders.

Lexi will be good for Ana. I feel it in my bones.

Things can only get better from here.

God…

They fucking have to.

The cool night air has me battling a shiver. I clutch at my coat and walk faster.

As I approach the Vietnamese restaurant, I don’t slow. I push the double doors open with both hands and relax slightly as warmth hits me.

I make my way through the kitchens and into the long hallway that I should not have access to. I suppose that’s one perk of being the daughter of Ba Sang Nguyen. And speaking of daddy dearest…

Bracing, I push open the door to the conference room and let myself in. My heels click as I spot the short, gray-haired man sitting at the head of the table.

He frowns when he spots me. “You are not welcome here, Ling.”

At hearing my name, the entire table of men turn to look at me, but I ignore them, instead glancing behind my father at my five brothers, but I single out the oldest, Van. “I’m not here to talk to you, Father. I just need a word with Van.”

My father turns red, and sputters, “You dare?”

I look down at my brother’s hand, still healing from when I pinned him to the wall at the club over a month ago. “I need to know what your decision is, and I need to know now.”

Van peers around him at our brothers, and they all communicate in complete silence. A moment passes, and Van inclines his head.

Yes.

We’re on.

I look from my brother to my father, and utter a passive, “I’ve come to claim my place.”

My father looks up at me in disbelief before turning to glance at the men around the table. When he laughs, they dutifully laugh with him. He chuckles a long while before sobering. “I wouldn’t give you a seat at this table, even if you begged.”

Well, shit.

Whatever would I do now?

Ah. I know.

“Oh, I’m not begging for a seat, Father.” I raise my pistol from inside my coat pocket and shoot my father in the head. He slumps in his chair, and I walk over to him, pushing him off. He lands on the ground with a dull thud. “I’m taking the motherfucking throne.”

I occupy the place he formerly sat, the head of the table. My brothers stand guard behind me.

A single glance around the room has me assessing the situation to come.

“Anyone got a problem with that?”

No one speaks. Not a goddamn soul.

“I didn’t think so.”

A slow smirk spreads my lips.

I’m officially an untouchable.

Yeah. How do you like me now, boys?

The sky glows an intense orange as the sun lowers, setting for the evening. Bird chatter begins to silence, a peaceful hum in the air.