But I can’t say that. Not to him. Not to my sweet, innocent boy.
“About how much I love you,” I say instead, reaching over to boop his nose. “And how lucky I am to be your mommy.”
He beams, his little face lighting up. “I’m lucky too! You’re the best mommy ever!”
My heart melts. This kid… he’s my everything.
Five years ago, if someone told me this was where I’d be, I would’ve laughed in their face.
Me, Clara Caldwell, a responsible mother? No way. But life has a funny way of changing you, of showing you what really matters.
Five years ago, revenge was all I could think about. Making the Ravens pay for what they did to Jake.
For taking my brother from me.
But now… now I have a new priority. A new reason to keep going.
Elijah Caldwell.
“Whatdo you want me to do?” I hiss, my eyes darting between Stephan and my father. I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
I glance at the door, making sure it’s shut tight. Elijah’s voice floats in from the hall, chattering away to Mitch about some new cartoon.
I lower my voice to a harsh whisper. “You want me to pose as a waitress and sneak into The Black Raven Club tonight? To fucking poison Leonid Kuznetsov?”
Stephan leans forward, his elbows on the old oak desk. “Clara, this is our chance. The only chance we might get. With Leonid out of the picture, the Kuznetzovs will be in chaos. It’s the perfect time to strike back.”
I shake my head, a humorless laugh escaping my lips. “In case you forgot, I’ve been out of the game for five years. Ever since dear old Dad here kicked me to the curb for getting knocked up.”
My father, Maxwell Caldwell, the once great leader of the Irish mob, sits slumped in his leather chair. He reeks of whiskey and stale sweat, his eyes bloodshot and unfocused.
“It’s your fault,” he slurs, jabbing a finger at me. “It’s all your fault. If you hadn’t been such a slut, Jake would still be alive.”
The words hit me like a slap. It doesn’t matter how much time goes by; it always hurts.
“Fuck you,” I spit. “Jake died protecting me. Protecting your daughter. But you’ve never given a shit about me, have you? Not since Mom died popping me out.”
My father’s face twists into a grimace, but he says nothing. Just takes another swig from the half-empty bottle on the desk.
Stephan sighs, running a hand over his hair. “Clara, please.”
I bite my lip, torn. A part of me wants revenge so badly I can taste it. But the other part, the part that’s spent the last four years being a mother, wants to run back to Elijah and never look back.
I think of my son, his bright smile, his infectious laugh. How he’s the only good thing to come out of all this mess. Can I really risk orphaning him, all for the sake of a vendetta?
“How the hell am I supposed to do this?” I ask, frustration seeping into my voice. “No one knows what Kuznetsov looks like. How am I supposed to poison the right man?”
Stephan shifts uncomfortably. “We had an assassin lined up. But he bailed last minute. Said the job was too risky.”
I scoff. More like no one wants anything to do with the Caldwells anymore. We’re fucking long gone in the game.
“So, you want to send me? A rusty has-been who’s been wiping noses and changing diapers for the last four years?”
“You’re our only shot at this,” Stephan pleads, his voice dropping low. “No one will see it coming. It’s a quick job; poison him, and it’s done. You’ll be back with Elijah in just a few hours. Everything’s arranged, all set for you. Please, this is our chance to end it all.”
I look around the room, taking in the faded grandeur, the peeling wallpaper, the thick layer of dust on every surface. It’s a far cry from the plush office I remember from my childhood.
Just like the man sitting behind the desk is a far cry from the father I once knew.
