Birthright

“Sure did, boss.”

“So how do you do that thing, you know, where you cut out the heart fast enough so they can watch it beat the last time but before they bleed to death?”

“You just gotta avoid that big artery at the top until the last moment. You still gotta get through the ribs though. That’s a little tricky.”

“Good point. I knew you were the brains around here. Threes?” I take a step back and Threes moves in front of Jack, flexing his biceps as he moves into position.

Three sharp cracks follow three quick punches to Jack’s chest. More screaming and incomprehensible sobbing comes from his mouth as Threes moves away, and I hold up the knife.

“You could have had it all, Jack.” I lean in close and press the tip of the knife over his broken ribs. “We brought you in, gave you a job, and my sister gave you her love and her trust. You understand that all of this is your own doing, don’t you?”

“Yes! Yes! I’m sorry! I’m sorry—please! I’ll never do anything against the family again! I swear!”

“Oh, I know you won’t.”

This is it. I tighten my grip on the knife to keep my hand from visibly shaking. I’d beaten the shit out of plenty of people, but I’ve never done this before—never taken a life. I’d watched Micha and Threes do it—even Antony once—but never by my own hand.

Show no weakness.

I stroke the top of his head with my free hand and smile sadly as I shove the knife into his chest. Hot blood spurts out, pouring over my arm and then erupting again in a wide arc. I jump back, yanking the knife out as I retreat from the mess.

“Aw, shit, boss! I think you hit that artery.”

Jack slumps over, eyes staring blankly at the bloody floor.

“Oh, well.” I kick at his chest, sending the body and chair to the floor. “Better luck next time, right? Threes, will you get rid of this asshole, please?”

“You got it, boss.”

Antony hands me a towel, which does very little to remove the blood from my hands but is better than nothing. My stomach is queasy, and I want this shit off of me.

“Nora is going to have a shit fit.”

“I know.”

“Do you want me to go find her? Explain everything?”

“If you see her, sure,” I reply. “She’ll figure it out soon enough, so don’t go out of your way.”

“You might want to consider a flak jacket,” Antony says with a smirk.

Leave it to my cousin to use humor in a situation like this and have it actually work on me.

“I just might.” I laugh and clasp him on the shoulder before returning to the car. Pops is already in the passenger seat.

“You did good, Nate. There is hope for you yet.”

I feel the agitation leaving my body. My stomach calms, and warmth covers me.

“Thanks, Pops.”

I take the long way home, driving all the way around the lake and reflecting on the first violent act of my regime. I might have preferred not to start out like this, but I have to do everything I can for the sake of my family, and loyalty is the most important part of that. Loyalty is what makes everything flow together, and I couldn’t risk allowing a traitor to live. If I had, I wouldn’t be able to trust anyone, not even family.

My sister is going to be furious, but I know she’ll get over it. She’s flighty, and she’ll probably find another man to fawn over before the end of the month. Nora has always gone from one man to another quickly, seemingly unable to just be by herself for any length of time. She always has to have a plus one, quite the opposite of me.

I’ve had my share of women, but I’ve rarely dated. High school, sure. Even a bit during my brief time in college but nothing serious. I’ve never been able to take any woman in Cascade Falls seriously. They all knew who I am, who my family is, and what I am capable of doing. I’m going to have to put that aside now and find someone suitable. As it stands, my firstborn child will inherit the family business.

I’m not sure how I feel about that. Who would want to bring a kid up in this life? It’s dirty and gritty and violent. It’s also the only life I know. Maybe everyone’s lives are full of dirt and grit, and I just never bothered to look.