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“We control Portland. I didn’t plan to return to this life. My husband put a knife in my hand recently. I forgot how much I missed the power.”
Orson nodded. “Yeah, because you’re a badass when it comes to throwing a knife.”
I grinned. “Thank you, Orson.”
My gaze moved over my old teammates. I wondered if they’d still ride for me.
The smile on my face vanished. “It’s time to show who you're fucking loyal to,” I growled. “You know what happened to the last person who betrayed me.”
“Yes, we do,” Kitura said. “We know that wasn’t easy. You loved him.”
I bit back the tears. “Yeah.”
“He betrayed us all when he made that deal with Snake. A gunshot to the heart was a quick and easy death. One he didn’t deserve,” Orson bit out, holding my gaze.
“I agree,” I stated.
Damon ran a hand over his bearded chin. “Is there some sort of trickery here?” My second-in-command Damon’s eyes bore into mine as he stepped closer. “You know we ride for you, Kennedy. That day was proof.”
Franco peeked at us from his periphery.
“We ‘the team’ almost died out there.” He circled his finger in front of me. “Reggie betrayed all of us. Not just you.” The hurt was evident in his dark brown eyes.
I visibly swallowed and tears clouded my vision. Staring up at the sky, I allowed the tears to seep back into my eyes.
“Yes, we were upset with you for leaving,” Kitura admitted. “But we’re family.” She placed a hand on my arm.
I met her gaze. “Yeah, we’re family.” A smile lifted my cheeks. “Things will happen quickly.”
“We’ll be ready,” Damon confirmed.
“We got your fucking back, Kennedy,” Orson stated.
“Good.” I smirked.
A knife clinked a glass in the distance. We turned to the stage where Dad and Uncle Anson stood.
Dad tapped the butter knife against the champagne flute one last time. He glanced around the spacious yard. The diamond stud gleamed in his earlobe under the outdoor stage lights. Silence fell over the crowd. Dad stood tall in an azure-colored blazer, powder blue dress shirt, tan slacks, and whiskey-colored loafers.
“This is a very special day. My daughter Kennedy and my nephew Quinn have returned. They’re back where they belong.”
Franco halted at my side, hooking his muscled arm over my shoulder. “He meant to say you both came back to visit, right?”
“No,” I muttered.
This isn’t happening. Fuck!
Uncle Anson raised his champagne flute, grinning from ear to ear. He was clad in a slate blue blazer, white dress shirt, black slacks, and slate blue loafers. My father and uncle’s attire yelled from the rooftops they were drowning in money. “Let’s toast to the next generation of the Carter Empire.”
My eyes met Quinn’s sinister gaze.
Two spotlights skimmed the crowd, landing on me and Quinn.
“My niece Kennedy and my son Quinn Carter, ladies and gentlemen. Give them a round of applause.”
I kept the smile plastered on my face. It was cracking by the second as I glared at my uncle.
“In so many words, those dirty motherfuckers just put us back in power,” I said through a framed smile.
