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TEXT CHAT

Lodestar: I have news.

Maverick: Let me bring Alessa into this chat so I don’t have to relay it.

**Alessa added to group chat**

Alessa: Hey, Star

Lodestar: Hey. There’s no need to run that DNA test anymore.

Alessa: You’re not related?

Lodestar: No. Her father was a high-ranking Sparrow, Alessa.

Alessa: What?! That’s impossible!

Lodestar: It isn’t. It’s the truth. He was killed in a power grab and Kat almost died as a result.

Maverick: Jesus Christ. Has this been confirmed?

Lodestar: Yes.

Maverick: Fuck. What’s your next move?

Lodestar: I’m coming back to the US. On a plane now, heading to New York. Conor’s going to arrange for one of his men to collect Kat. I need him to bring her to the city.

Maverick: Why?

Lodestar: I want to see her. I don’t know how long I’ll be stateside and if she finds out I’ve been here without visiting her, I’ll never hear the end of it.

Maverick: Lol.

Alessa: I’ll make sure she’s ready. What time?

Lodestar: Five okay?

Alessa: Sure. You’re certain she will be safe?

Lodestar: Conor’s men mean business.

Maverick: I can have a brother ride with them.

Alessa: She’d love that.

Lodestar: Lol. She would. That would be great.

Maverick: Sin? He liaises with the Five Points anyway.

Lodestar: No. There’s nothing to liaise with as of yet. Link would be fine. He doesn’t have to stay once she’s dropped off.

Maverick: Will you send her back the same night?

Lodestar: Very likely. But she’ll be fine without Link. Conor would never let anyone hurt Katina.

Maverick: That much faith in him?

Lodestar: I love him, Jameson.

Maverick: You mean business if you’re bringing out my real name.

Lodestar: I just wanted you to know it’s serious. When things are settled down, I’m going to move in with him.

Alessa: It’s not far from our house to Manhattan. I know that’s where the Five Points live. You won’t mind if I visit often, will you?

Lodestar: Of course not! Are you sure you don’t mind me moving her there?

Alessa: If I’ve learned anything from this stay, Star, it’s that YOU are her mom. She needs you.

Lodestar: I need her too.

Maverick: Conor will look after her, won’t he?

Lodestar: I guess there wasn’t much time for conversation when you were punching his lights out.

Maverick: I stand by that decision.

Alessa: I don’t!

Lodestar: Anyway, guys, I gtg. I need to catch some Zs before I fall down. Just wanted to get the arrangements put in place.

Maverick: Keep us in the loop.

Lodestar: I will.

Alessa: She never needed you to be her cousin, Star. She just needs you to be her mom.

Lodestar: That’s all I’ve ever wanted to be.

Maverick: Stay safe, Star.

Alessa: Yes, take care of yourself.

Lodestar: I will. Stay vigilant. I don’t know what the hell’s going to happen. I just know that the cages I told you I was rattling, Mav, are wide open now.

Maverick: Understood.