Page 6 of Birthright (Sinners of New Orleans #4)

FIVE

Sam

A fter my father's murder, I made sure that everyone responsible for his death was punished. So I understand Adrian's quest for revenge perfectly.

Two months ago, after he married my cousin, I had John rough him up a bit and give him an ultimatum. Once he visited me in Orleans Parish Prison, I was able to explain everything I knew about him.

That his father was killed by my uncle because he might rat out the organization. And if his father had worked for mine instead of my uncle, that would’ve never happened.

I believe in protecting the men who are loyal to me, not cutting them loose at the first sign of trouble.

But clearly, that wasn't enough for him to fully trust me.

John called me after he and Adrian arrived at Madi's studio to find they were attacked by one of Damien's men.

The girls handled the attacker, but the whole event led to Adrian admitting that he's been playing both sides the entire time.

That he married my cousin to have an in with our family, all so he could destroy us in the name of vengeance.

His plan was to film me killing Damien and use it to have me locked up again. Two birds, one stone and all that. I can't help but smile to myself. It's not a bad plan.

I should kill him for the betrayal, though. For even thinking about going against me. That's what any other man in my position would do, thinking that will exude their power and make sure everyone knows to never cross them.

But I don't work like that.

Like I said, I understand where Adrian was coming from.

If I was in his shoes, I can't say I'd do anything differently.

When he arrives at my home office the next morning, I can tell something in him has shifted.

The other piece of information John passed along was that Adrian confessed his love for Madi, the two having a deep moment in the art studio.

It seems my cousin has come a long way from detesting her arranged husband to falling head over heels for him.

I have no intention of hurting her any further, but it's obvious that Adrian thinks today will be his last day on earth.

"Morning," I greet as the lawyer enters my office.

His throat bobs on a swallow. "Good morning."

"Sit." I gesture to the seat across from my desk. "So I was right. You were out for vengeance, if what John tells me is true."

"It is." He nods.

"You wanted to take down the whole family for what Big Al did to your father." It's not a question as much as a statement.

"Yes," he admits.

“I can’t blame you,” I say, leaning forward and setting my mug on his desk. “I think I would have killed us all with my bare hands if someone murdered my father. Actually, I did do that.”

Adrian blinks. “I take that as confirmation that Damien is dead.”

I smile and wink at him. “I stand by what I said before. Big Al shouldn’t have done that. If your father had worked for mine, he’d still be alive right now. But I can’t change the past; all I can do is work on the present.” I pause briefly, letting the words sink in. “So, you love my cousin, then?”

With his eyes on mine, he nods once more. “Very much so.”

“And you would have saved her yesterday if she didn’t do it herself, huh?”

He chuckles. “I should have known she’d be too stubborn for my help.”

“That sounds like Madi.” I can’t help but laugh. “She’s been like that since she was a kid. Maybe it’s because she’s the youngest. But she’s always been too stubborn for her own good. So you know, I have no intention of making her a widow.”

The lawyer's eyes widen, shock etched across his features. “Are you saying…”

“All’s forgiven, Adrian.” I wave a hand, metaphorically clearing the past and creating a blank slate for the future.

“I—” Adrian stutters, but I interject before he can form a complete sentence.

“I want you to work for me, though. You’re a damn good lawyer, and I also have no intention of wasting your skills.

I’m not like my uncle, Adrian. I don’t go around killing for sport, especially not my own men.

If you work for me, you’ll be an advisor.

A consigliere. I can keep you on the legal side of things, if you’d prefer.

But I think you and I could do great work together if you’re willing to be at my side. ”

This is the other reason I won't end his life in retribution. It would be a waste of talent. A skill set I need more than ever, now that this family war has killed so many.

“So it’s done, then?” he asks, inhaling a deep breath. “This war?”

I nod, but a flicker of big doe eyes and brown hair running away from me flashes through my mind. “Almost. I have one loose end from last night to wrap up. After that, it’s over.”

“A loose end?” Adrian questions, his eyebrow ticked up. He knows as well as I do that a loose end after you just killed someone means trouble.

“A witness. Don’t worry, it's under control."

Adrian nods, but I can see the concern in his eyes. If there's a witness to a murder, it’s his problem, after all, considering the new position I just bestowed upon him.

“Okay.” He extends his hand for me to shake. “I’m in.”

I grin, standing from the desk to walk around and shake his hand. “We’re gonna be great partners, Adrian. Welcome to the family.”

“We’ve come a long way.” I stand on the back porch of my family home, looking at my cousins. My family.

Lana and Naz came back from New York. Now that the war is over, and Lana's father, my Uncle Damien, is dead, it's safe for them to be here.

Damien is the reason they ran away. He was forcing Lana to marry a congressman who was cruel and abusive, but she was in love with Naz, the low-level soldier who used to work for Marcus.

Before I was locked up, I helped them escape to New York, getting Naz a job with Leo De Santis and protection from the Colombo famiglia.

John and Zoe stand next to them, my cousin's arm wrapped around his girl.

He met her while pretending to be loyal to Marcus and Damien.

He knew right away that something was up with the dancer he met at Saints and Sinners, and he was right.

They had a common enemy in Marcus, leading to his downfall.

For his entire life, John has been labeled as a psychopath, most of my family never believing he would be capable of love.

But seeing him now with Zoe, it's apparent how much he adores her.

And then there's Madi and Adrian. My little blue-haired cousin has always been the most strong willed of all the women in my family. She never wanted to marry the lawyer next to her, but now it’s clear that they're the perfect match.

It's strange to see my family members coupled up like this, and a pang of jealousy stabs at my heart, knowing I'll never have what they do. I'll never fall in love with a woman when I know, in my line of work, that I'll never be able to protect her.

And the family has to come first.

"But we're all here now." I continue my speech.

"The next generation, and I believe we can do better than our fathers and mothers did.

I believe we are better. Tomorrow, we're going to rebuild this family.

Better than it's been before. Stronger. But for today, we're going to celebrate.

" I raise the glass as my eyes find Naz. "Are you ready?" I ask.

"Absolutely," he says with certainty.

“Then let’s have a wedding.”

An hour later, my cousin and her love are married. There's food set up and a makeshift dance floor. The small number of guests we invited are eating, drinking, and dancing. Our celebration lasts well into the afternoon, and by evening, it's just family left.

John and I sit on the back porch with cigars as we watch the girls continue to dance, belting out the lyrics from some old Disney channel actress's song.

"This is good," John says.

I nod in agreement.

"And they found the girl."

"Yep." I take another puff, blowing out a thick cloud of smoke.

"What are you going to do with her?" John asks between his own inhales.

"We're celebrating." I clap a hand on his shoulder. "No business talk tonight, yeah?"

"Sure, sure." John nods and mimes zipping his lips.

We are celebrating, that much is true. But my mind is still on business, despite the current festivities.

There're a lot of things I need to handle now that I'm on the outside.

It's been almost a year since my grandfather died, and in that time, my family has managed to dismantle his legacy.

Our once thriving businesses are failing.

Our shipments are missing. And the people once loyal to us are beginning to betray us.

But it's hard to focus on any of that. Because my mind keeps wandering back to the dark-haired girl who's sitting in my warehouse, waiting for me to deal with her.

My little witness.