Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“We will now sign the contract using the blood from you both,” the elder announces. Even though this was the easy part, the dinner after will be long and tedious. We will have to meet each of the men in this room. We will have to answer questions and hopefully appease their concerns. We’re young, much younger than most of the men who are currently running their own clans. But I know we can be better at it.
Once our signatures are dried on the vellum, the contract is rolled up and it’s bound with a bright red ribbon. It will forever be stored in the archives. And when our children one day take over, they will then see what we did when we were the ones standing here.
We’re given cloth bandages to wrap around our hands, and a pin each to secure them in place. I want to laugh, but I don’t disrespect the elders who are here.
It’s still crazy for me to think about, knowing my Dad was one of the men who signed his life away to an organisation he ran for more than forty years. He was a few years younger than I am today when he took over, and yet, he did it with the confidence that made it seem as if he was born with the dagger in his hand.
It takes a few long moments for the rest of the men to file out, and for the contracts to be stored. By the time we’re welcomed into the dining hall, I am ready to go to bed. I’m surprised when I walk in with Brielle’s hand in mine, to find there’s a birthday cake waiting on me.
“We wanted to wish you a proper happy birthday,” Giacomo says, and I recognise him as one of Dad’s most trusted allies. He’s been running his organisation for as long as I can remember, and probably far longer as he’s almost eighty now. “Your father would have been so proud to see his eldest up there taking the oath.”
“Well, I appreciate that. He did watch me as I took the Underboss and the Capo initiation vows.” He probably doesn’t remember, but as I say the words, he slowly nods.
“Oh, right,” he says then. “I’m an old man, Judah. One day, when you’re like me, you’ll be lucky because you have a beautiful wife to keep you young.” He guffaws, for an older man it’s a booming sound. “It’s lovely to meet you, sweetheart.”
He holds out a hand to Brielle who accepts without a second guess. “And you, Mr—”
“Oh, call me Giacomo,” he tells her. “Everybody and their donkey does.”
“Well, I do hope you don’t hear donkey’s talking, they say it’s a sign you’re getting old.” There’s a soft giggle from Brielle, but once again, it’s Giacomo’s laugh that bounces around the room calling attention to us at the one end of the table.
“I like you, young lady,” he tells my wife. “You’ve got a good one there, Judah.” I’ve been told.
“Oh, I know. Now all I can do is pray she keeps me around.” This time, there’s a few more people who join in on the jovial chat, and I relax into the evening.
I realise as I sit and talk to the men who have been in this world for longer than I’ve been alive, tomorrow a whole new role opens up to me. With every laugh, and every joke, I look over at Kai and Valen as they enjoy their moments with some of the men and women who are in attendance, and I know they’ll soon be in my shoes too.
We’re all grown up.
And we’re going to rule the fucking world.
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT
BRIELLE
One Year Later
The babies are kicking as I lie back on the sofa. Twins. Two of them growing inside me. It’s still surreal when I feel them move.
My focus has been nothing short of frustrating. All I can think of is making sure I have the nursery ready, but since I’m not allowed to do anything, I can’t go up and check that the guys are actually listening to my demands. I’ve become one of those nightmare wives, ordering each of my men around like they’re servants. But then again, if they didn’t like it, they should allow me to see what’s being done in the room.
I wanted to make sure I was happy with the colours, and to oversee the painting, furnishings, and the mobiles that will hang over each of the cribs. Everything has to be perfect.
I wonder if my mother was like this when she knew she was pregnant with me. Deep down, I feel an emptiness when I have quiet moments, it overtakes me and it reminds me that I don’t have a mother figure to ask.
But, I know I’ve overcome so many things, I can get through this with the support of all three of my men. They’re like bodyguards, watching over me. I’m never alone at home, thankfully, and when I’m at school, they have the soldiers who are working their way to Capos guarding me as if I’m a prized possession.