I never understood why he didn’t go after me all those years ago.
“Because you showed me that you are your mother’s son. And, besides…no offense, Orion, but Conrad hated you. He had no attachments toward you.”
“He’s dead. He won’t care that you killed his beloved child.”
“My daughter is dead too, and I won’t rest until I get my payback for her death.”
We both rise and face each other. “Sooner or later, I will find him. You can’t keep him hidden forever. He’s not your son. He is not and never will be a Wright.”
If only he knew I never raised Actaeon in lies or pretended to act like his father.
Honesty above anything else, that’s the motto of our sibling bond.
Actaeon knows what happened to him and how he came into this world, because I knew learning later on might have been catastrophic to his psyche.
He knows everything except who his grandfather is. He believes his mother was an orphan found by Conrad on the streets.
“Except he isa Wright to me. I’ve given him that right. I would never allow you to hurt him, and if you want war, there will be war. I’m not alone in this world, may I remind you of the little fact that you tend to forget?”
Gael laughs, hooking his thumbs in the waistband of his suit pants. “Ah, yes. I’m aware of the Wrights and their family ties with the Scotts. Who, in turn, have all kinds of connections with various murderers and Mafia syndicates,” he hisses through his teeth. “You have three months until he turns eighteen. After that, if it’s war you want, it’s a war you’ll get.” He clicks his tongue. “Might want to rethink that idea. You got married and seem to love your wife. I’d hate for her or your future children to become collateral damage in all this. Trust me, it’s a heavy burden to bear.”
I straighten. “Do not speak about my wife, Gael.”
While I feel for his pain, my sympathy goes only so far. If he’s not careful, I’ll snap his neck.
“Relax, Wright. I don’t touch women. I’m not like Conrad.” He snaps his fingers. “I’m only stating facts. Give him to me, and we’ll handle it between us. If he’s a man, he’ll take any punishment I give him.”
“Punishment for being born?”
He claps his hands. “I’ve wasted enough time. You got my advice, suggestion, or warning, depending on how you prefer to see it. I don’t give a fuck. I expect him to be on my doorstep on his eighteenth birthday. The time has come to pay off the debt your family owes me.”
He spins on his heel and strides toward the door, but my next words stop him in his tracks. “He has Magdalena’s eyes. Your eyes.” He looks over his shoulder, his gaze unreadable and body tense. “He’s his mother’s son too, Gael. You don’t have to accept or acknowledge him. You have a right to hate him. You have no responsibility toward him. But you can’t hurt him. An eye for an eye doesn’t work here. Because Conrad won’t care one way or the other.”
A heavy silence falls between us, and he half turns to face me, a calculating expression settling on his features. At this moment, I understand why they call him one of the most cunning men among the crime lords. “Does he know about me?” He must read the answer on my face as he continues. “That’s what I thought.” A beat passes. “My daughter would have been my heir. She was brave, smart, beautiful, and very cunning. A character trait that’s a must when one deals with Mafia rings. A fighter who I know tried her best to survive, and I’m sure Conrad didn’t manage to break her spirit. She would have been the first woman to lead our cartel, but instead, all I have is her grave.” He exhales and composes himself once more. “Let’s make a deal, Wright. Tell him the truth and see what he does. His choice would prove to me whose blood running through his veins is stronger. Or there will be war. Although I’m not sure who in their right mind would want to fight for a coward.” Dropping this on me, he resumes his walk and in a second is gone. Meanwhile, I’m contemplating his words.
Telling Actaeon the truth would be like waving a red flag in front of a bull. He would accept the challenge and most likely go to Gael, ready to play whatever games the old man deems fit.
Despite what my baby brother believes, I know about his tendencies and what he does in his spare time.
Or where he learned all his skills.
Gael and Actaeon would set this world on fire with their combined fury. They are similar yet so different in their hatred.
Both yearn for Magdalena in their own way, and never have the chance to get justice for her.
Actaeon gathers his toys from the sandpit and runs to me, grabbing my hand, and though it still feels weird to have this five-year-old following me around everywhere, there’s no way I could let go of him.
Eros suggested giving him up for adoption to protect him, and keep an eye on him from a distance.
I couldn’t do it, though.
His mother’s face wouldn’t leave my mind, haunting me in my sleep, and thinking about the probability of Actaeon suffering if got into a bad family didn’t sit well with me.
I owed it to Magdalena to raise him, even if I have no idea what the fuck I’m doing. Hiding him from the press and the world is a challenge in itself. I’m glad I have Eros and my cousins on my side to create a peaceful life for him. “Orion.” He tugs on my hand, and I stop, lifting my chin at him. “Do you love me?”
I’m not sure what love is, but I’d protect and die for the little guy. Not that the truth would ease his mind, so I say what he expects. “Yes. Of course.” I ruffle his hair as he leans close to me, wrapping his tiny hands around my knees. “Is everything okay?” Since his existence is a secret, he studies at home with private tutors who have all signed the nondisclosure agreements. Once he reaches third grade, I plan to send him to one of the most prestigious private schools in the world, where no one would ever touch him.
My brother will get the best education, and I have already set up his trust fund.
