Chapter 6
Emily reacted exactly like someone who had just discovered she was useful, not valued.
She screamed.
Not at me.
At Mother.
“You used me.”
Mother sighed.
“Oh, grow up.”
Emily stared.
“You told me I would run the family.”
“You would.”
“For how long?”
“As long as appropriate.”
Emily laughed.
“Meaning until Robert Jr. arrives.”
Dad stepped forward.
“This isn't about ego.”
Emily turned.
“Then why isn't Claire signing command directly to him?”
Silence.
Good question.
I already knew.
Because I would never sign it.
Emily was plausible.
My older sister.
Blood.
Someone senior people recognized.
Robert Jr. was too obvious.
Too unpopular.
Too male in a way certain old capos still romanticized.
My signature to Emily would look like family compromise.
Then Emily could be removed later.
I looked at her.
“They planned to blame you for my fall.”
Her face turned toward me.
Mother scoffed.
“Don't be absurd.”
I ignored her.
“If I signed and then got hurt…”
Emily stared.
“…you become temporary command.”
Nothing.
“And if the family gets angry about the accident?”
Her face changed.
Dad said:
“Claire.”
I continued.
“Who benefits from removing both sisters?”
Emily slowly turned toward Father.
His face betrayed him.
Just once.
Enough.
“You bastard.”
Mother slapped the table.
“Watch your mouth.”
Emily laughed.
“Oh, now language matters?”
She pointed at me.
“You were going to have me take the fall.”
Dad said:
“No.”
“Then why did you say before she signed?”
Silence.
Emily's breathing changed.
“You knew I was pushing her.”
Dad looked away.
That was answer enough.
Mother became impatient.
“Emily, stop acting wounded.”
My sister stared at her.
Mother continued.
“You wanted Claire gone.”
“Yes.”
“So did we.”
“Yes.”
“Then why are you crying because the method wasn't flattering?”
Cruel.
Efficient.
Exactly how Mother treated everyone.
Emily's face twisted.
“I'm not crying.”
Mother smiled.
“Almost.”
I watched them.
Then something else clicked.
“Robert Jr. isn't here.”
Dad froze.
Mother didn't.
“Where is he?”
No answer.
“Where?”
Emily looked between them.
Dad rubbed his forehead.
“He's waiting.”
“For what?”
Silence.
Mother answered.
“Confirmation.”
“Of my signature?”
“Yes.”
“And my injury?”
No answer.
I smiled without humor.
“Both.”
Mother's face hardened.
Emily whispered:
“Where?”
Dad finally said:
“Country club.”
I laughed.
Of course.
Twenty minutes away.
Close enough to move.
Far enough to pretend he had no part in lunch.
I turned toward my phone.
Mother said:
“Don't.”
I looked at her.
She smiled.
“You think calling him changes anything?”
“No.”
I slipped my phone back into my pocket.
“I think not calling him does.”
She frowned.
I looked at Dad.
“If Robert Jr. is waiting for confirmation, let him wait.”
Emily stared at me.
“What are you doing?”
“Seeing who panics first.”
Mother rolled her eyes.
“You've become theatrical.”
“No.”
I looked at the black folder.
“I've become curious.”
Then Evan called from the porch.
“Mommy?”
I went immediately.
Mother laughed behind me.
“There.”
I stopped.
Turned.
She pointed at my son.
“Exactly what I mean.”
I stared.
“What?”
“You abandon the room the second he calls.”
“Yes.”
Her smile widened.
“And that is why you'll lose.”
I looked at Evan.
Then back at her.
“No.”
I opened the door.
“That is why you will.”
Because while they had spent months studying what made me move—
May you like
they never understood that everyone in my family already knew the same thing.
If you threaten my son, I stop negotiating.
