* * * * *
Twenty-one days.
Five hundred and four hours. One hundred and twenty-seven tablets.
I hadn’t relapsed. I’d taken my medicine religiously, and Cut had tested me thoroughly.
I’d passed.
I was ready.
To celebrate the next stage of our plan, my father took the brotherhood off the estate to a local pub in the village. He hired out the entire place and bought each Black Diamond member dinner along with an open bar.
The night was full of laughter and drunken idiocy. Kes remained cool but friendly, and Daniel drank far too much, as fucking usual. I enjoyed myself, growing in my role as heir and basking in the way my men watched me. They looked at me the same way they looked at Cut—with trepidation and respect.
I’d truly taken my place, and there was no mistaking I was next in line for the throne.
After a four-course dinner and plenty of crude innuendoes, Cut stood at the head of the table, clinking a knife against his half-empty beer.
The low ceilings of the 16thcentury pub pressed down on us with hops drying in the rafters. It was quaint and country—so different to the imposing halls and artifacts of Hawksridge.
“Attention.” Cut tapped his glass again. Men continued to snicker and drink. Cut slammed his glass down, making the dirty plates rattle. “Attention!”
Silence fell; all eyes zeroed in on Cut. “Time to toast. Listen up.”
A few men saluted while others sobered.
“Stand up, Jethro.”
The past three weeks had changed us. His face had lost its pinched anger. I’d lost my defiant hatred. We no longer looked at each other like we wanted to kill and maim.
We were equals.
I got my wish. I found a place in my family. I became...him.
Cut raised his arms. “Tonight is a special night, boys. Not only have we expanded across Sierra Leone this month and done more trades than ever before, but I believe luck has finally granted us a true successor.”
I’d done everything he’d asked. Put everything into place like he wished. And tonight, I’d earned his ultimate respect.
He tilted his glass to me. “The newspapers are bored with shredding my name. The black market dealers are back to buying in bulk, and our notoriety has only strengthened. The Weavers think they’ve won, but this is only the beginning.”
I planted my heavy boots on the ancient floor, mirroring him in a toast. “Here, here.”
The men followed, murmuring ascent.
We’d all seen the newspapers, the broadcasts of Vaughn Weaver telling secrets that should never be told. He thought he’d ruined us. That any moment we’d be arrested and convicted.
Stupid, stupid idiot.
Dressed in black leather with our stitched emblem of Black Diamonds on the pocket, I felt invincible. Nothing could stop us now. No one could even try.
I was untouchable. And it was fucking magical.
“To Jethro.” Cut’s voice softened. “To my son. To Kite. I’m so glad you’ve finally seen the error of your ways. I always knew you had potential and have no doubt you’ll earn everything I have to give before this is over.”
I nodded. “You can trust me.”
The men stomped their feet, sloshing their beer onto the table.
