Page 62 of Bloody Business

Shortly after Hurdleadopted Lily, he got a summons.His brother wanted to see him.

He toyed with the idea of telling his brother where to stick his summons, but Zul was the head of the family, and that meant something.

??

“Are you tired of playing poor fisherman?”It was unfortunate his brother was so sentimental, Zul Kan thought.His kid brother had fallen apart after his daughter drowned.

Zul agreed that it was annoying when an investment didn't pay off, but Hurdle could have just had another kid.He didn't need to go to pieces and embarrass the family.

Of course, if he'd been at home instead of playing soldier, he might have been around to prevent it.

You'd think he would have regretted running from the family after that.Instead, he'd gone into a decline.Running away to sulk in a fishing boat, instead of assuming his proper place and helping to run the business.Pathetic!

His younger brother Hurdle gave him a dirty look.“You invited me here.I figured you had something important you wanted to talk about.”

Zul Kan considered his brother.He finally had leverage, but had to use it wisely.Hur could be unpredictable, but he needed to assume his proper place.

Of course, that wouldn't be necessary if he had managed to produce any children, but Zul couldn't bring himself to marry, and none of his women ever produced bastards.Maybe they had taken measures, and maybe he was infertile, but he'd finally realized that time was running out.Even if he had a child tomorrow, it would take years to train it up.He was after a dynasty, and he didn't want to see all his hard work fall into the hands of a stranger.He needed an heir, and what he had was his idiot brother.It was intolerable.

“You’re injured.You're barely getting around with that bad hip.My men reported it was an assassin.I've taken care of it, but your youthful indiscretions are coming back to haunt you.They might send more.”

His brother had been hell on wheels.A wild one, he'd often clashed with their father.His last rebellion had been to join the army.He'd been fearless then, and Zul Kan had grudgingly admired him.

He pressed his point.“That was fine when it was just you, but you have the girl now.Who will protect her if you're gone?Plus the assassins will try for her soon enough.I'm surprised they haven't already.”

His brother understood the threat.Carrot and stick.Their father used to do that.

Hurdle’s smile was ugly.“And if I just come back to the family, everything will be fine.You'll take care of everything.The girl...”He snapped his fingers.“Lily, will lack for nothing.If something happens to me, she'll have a place in the family...until she ticks you off.”

“There are many advantages to being in the family.I don't extend the offer lightly,” Zul warned.

“She's not my niece, but if she proves talented...I could use her in the organization.Bookkeeping is always in demand.”

Hur’s face twisted in an automatic no.Bookkeepers didn't last long.

Unfazed, Zul said, “If she proves suitable, I also have plenty of legitimate businesses for her to run.She could become quite powerful.”

She’d also have a sword on a silk thread hanging over her head every minute, Hur thought rebelliously.Still, he wasn't getting any younger, and she had him to protect her from his brother.There might be a way to give her a brighter future.

Lily deserved it.

...

He told her all about his family, revealing a little more as she got older.

One day, when she was thirteen, he said, “I used to have another brother.He got mad, left the family for another city.Didn't listen when my brother sent people to invite him back.He was found dead soon after.”

He looked her in the eyes.“I hid for a while, by being a disappointing fisherman.I drank too much and I didn't want to talk to anyone.I became useless to him and so he gave up on me.It's different now.”

“I can't run with the bad leg.You're not old enough to hide yourself yet.You need to learn more.”

He sighed.“I don't see any way around it.We’ll be looking for a way out.Something will come up.”

Meanwhile, Lily was being privately tutored with some neighbor children.Zul Kan referred to this as her “evaluation period”.

He had plans.The kid was smart, and wise for her age, but she was just a kid.

While he didn't trust the other prominent families, Zul Kan appreciated social connections.He could get Lily into schools so she could meet kids from strong families and make alliances.If he played things right, she could make an excellent tool.

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