Birthright

“Because you’d still have to deal with Antony, and you’d still have to get through Threes. And just to be very clear, if you were to come after my family—and they are my family—once I’m gone, I will be back, and there won’t be anyone left alive when I’m through.”

Janna looks off into the distance, her eyes focused on nothing. I don’t want her to hesitate, so I keep pushing.

“I’m giving you the perfect opportunity here, dear sister. You and Jay take your people and leave with Stark. You stay with him—learn from him—and when he retakes the Seattle throne, you’ll be right there by his side. You’ll have far more opportunities in your future than you’d have staying here, and you know it. You play your cards right, and you could find yourself at the top of the West Coast within a few years.”

Janna glances at the car once more before turning back to me.

“I have to discuss it with Jay.”

“Jay is going to do whatever you tell him to do. Don’t try to delay this, or you’re going to lose the option.”

“Is that a threat?”

“It’s just a fact. Stark will be leaving town in a matter of hours.”

“Jesus, Nate.” Janna huffs out a breath. “You really should give me a little time to think about it.”

“No time. You have to decide.”

She licks her lips, looks at the car again, and nods.

“All right,” she says. “We’ll talk to Stark.”

“And convince him you’ll be an asset.”

“Oh, so now it’s an interview?” She glares at me.

“Call it whatever you like, but he doesn’t know you. You’re going to have to make an impression. I know you can do that. Once you pledge your loyalty, you and Jay liquidate all your business here and leave town.”

“What about the rest of my guys?”

“Take them with you. The Orsos don’t want them, and Stark needs the numbers.”

“Needs them?”

“This benefits him too. You know there will be conflict when he moves to take over Franks’s

operation.”

“Putting us in danger,” Janna says quietly.

“There is always danger in this life.”

Janna looks from me to the car and back again. She lets out a long breath.

“Fine,” she says. “I’ll do it. I’ll talk to Stark.”

I lead Janna over to the car, and she gets in the back seat with Stark. I assume their conversation will take a while, and I plan on taking a nice, long walk, but only a few minutes later, Antony is approaching me.

“It’s all settled,” he says. “Stark is leaving with Janna, and they’re all heading out of the country tonight.”

“Did this really work?” I ask, hardly able to believe it.

“It did, boss.” Antony places his hand on my shoulder. “You did it.”

I’m in a daze as we head back to the house. Cherry is out front when we arrive, waiting for me.

“How did it go?” she asks.