Page 137 of Heartless Game

As I reached into my pocket to stare at the ring some more, a twig snapped.

Someone was here.

Without a thought, I pulled out a gun. If there was a single goddamned motherfucker who thought they could touch a hair on either woman’s head…

“God, you’ve become a paranoid asshole. Put that gun down,” my older sister said as she came out from behind a tree.

“Oh, good. You’re here,” I said, lowering the gun.

“I’m here,” Liza acknowledged. She scanned me. “I have to say, being head of the family doesnotagree with you. You look like you’ve been run ragged, although I guess that bespoke suit is flattering.”

I shrugged. I missed my hockey uniform. But not only did I not have the time right now for hockey, I’d been kicked off the team after running out of that game. Jack and my friends had fought for me, but Coach was adamant that I was out. I hated it, not playing, and I missed my teammates—but it was worth the sacrifice. She was worth the sacrifice.

“This job isn’t easy, or for the faint of heart,” I told her.

“You think I don’t know that?” The bitter jealousy flashed in my sister’s eyes.

I hid my smile. I’d been counting on it.

“I have an offer for you,” I told her.

“Listening.”

“You’ve always wanted to be the head of this family. Since we were kids. It went to me because I was the boy, but it’s 2025. Way past time to shake things up. And fuck, I don’t want to do this shit.”

Her eyes tracked me, and her breathing sped up. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying it’s all yours, if you want it. The family, the money, the power—no one deserves it more than you. No one has your ability to play this game, negotiate, and wield violence when necessary. You were made for this, Liza, and I’m happy to?—”

She raised a hand to stop me. My heart lodged in my throat. Was she going to turn it down? Had I been wrong? Had all this work been for nothing?

“You realize,” she said, “That if you pass it to me, no one is going to be okay with you being half in, half out.I’mnot okay with you being half in, half out. You’ll still be a part of the family, but the money, the power, the resources to protect you when you’re throwing someone out a window—yes, I heard about that—it’s all gone.”

Hell yeah. Relief filled me. She wanted in. Still, I spoke. “One of these days, you’ll fall in love. And you’ll be willing to sacrifice everything else that matters to you to be with them.”

Liza wrinkled her nose. “I fucking hope not.”

“So, is that a yes?”

“They aren’t going to make it easy,” she said.

“You love a challenge,” I pointed out.

She quirked a smile. She’d always been calm and composed, but this was the most excited or happy I’d ever seen her.

“You sure?” she said.

I fingered the ring again. “Never been more sure about anything in my life.”

“Then it’s a deal,” she said. “I hope she’s worth it.”

“She’s worth more than you could even imagine,” I said, squaring my shoulders. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have somewhere to be.”

“Good l?—"

But before she could finish, I’d already taken off through the trees.

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