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Ienter my family’s vacation home in Avalon, New Jersey, located on Seven Mile Island. My sister, Aisling, and my brothers Fergus and Flynn chose to move here when our father died. The memories in our childhood was too much—more so for our sister. Our father was overly protective of her, much like Matteo is with Aurora, but Aisling was his princess. Being closer to the beach has given her some reprieve, but she still took his death the hardest. The twins, Fergus and Flynn, are much harder to read. They agreed to move here with her, but I’m sure they’re ready for a life of their own that doesn’t involve babysitting our sister. Their interest is in architecture, and they’re currently in the initial stages of building some masterpiece for themselves. Our clan needs them, but I don’t know if forcing them to be a part of this world is the best idea. If given a choice, would I have chosen this life?
I enter the foyer of our Mediterranean-style home. It’s everything my home isn’t. The entire living space is white and airy, allowing plenty of natural light to filter through. The archways and vaulted ceilings are numerous with tantalizing vistas of the ocean. This home has three floors and makes for a great getaway for my siblings. Although they are two and a half hours from New York and from where we conduct most of our business, they still need to be aware of what really happened to our father and to be on alert. I couldn’t insist that they have a security detail without explaining why.
I saw Kai’s Bugatti parked out front, so I know he’s already here. I walk toward the backyard since Fergus informed me that he was grilling some steaks, so we’d meet by the pool. As soon as I push the sliding glass door open, the smell of the ocean becomes even more pronounced. The afternoon air is crisp with just enough chill to need a hoodie still. The guys are all sitting around the firepit throwing back a bottle of Guinness, even my baby brother. I didn’t expect him to be here. He’s a law student at Colombia University and is the most removed from all of this. I planned to arrange a separate meeting with him because I wasn’t sure his schedule or studying would allow him to get away for the weekend.
“Callum,” I acknowledge as he gets up to give me a hug. I’m not generally a hugger, but I welcome his embrace. I smile at his enthusiasm, his innocence evident.
“Look, the moody son of a bitch actually smiles.” Fergus grins.
“You know that by saying that, you’re referring to our mother as a bitch, right?” I deadpan.
“And he’s back.” Flynn laughs. “That was short lived.”
“It’s just a saying,” Fergus defends. “Relax, brother.”
“Get his ass a beer,” Kai suggests with a smile of his own.
Flynn grabs another bottle of Guinness from the ice cooler next to the patio sectional and passes it to me.
“Where is Aisling?” I question.
“Oh, I didn’t know if you wanted her down here for whatever you’ve come to tell us,” Fergus replies.
Our baby sister is so sheltered from everything, so it would make sense that they’d think to leave her out of this. “This involves her too,” I enlighten.
Callum pats me on the back. “I’ll grab her. Take a load off.”
I take a seat on the far end of the sectional, and Fin and Fergus join me. Kai grabs a couple of chairs from the table by the grill. I wait until Callum returns with Aisling, and they both have a seat. I take a generous swig of my beer.
“What’s going on, Lennon?” Aisling asks. “This doesn’t seem like a casual visit.”
“That’s because it’s not,” I confirm. The tension in the air is palpable. My family knows I wouldn’t waste their time with bullshit. “To my knowledge, none of you are in immediate danger, but what I’m about to share with you can’t leave this backyard. Not to even discuss among yourselves. Is that clear?”
“You’re scaring me, Lennon,” Aisling admits.
“Did I make myself clear?” I ask again, my tone much firmer than the first time. I don’t continue until I get a resounding yes from each and every one of them except Kai, who already knows what this is about.
“All of our lives depend on your silence,” Kai reiterates. “You never know who’s listening or connected to who. After Lennon shares what he’s about to say with all of you, it will be important for you to carry on as you normally would.”
Their silent nods indicate they are ready for me to continue. Kai instinctively knows how to better communicate with our siblings— the finesse needed.
“Our father wasn’t shot during a robbery at that convenience store,” I start. “He was murdered.” I watch as their individual expressions morph into surprise, anger, shock, and every emotion between.
I explain the details as they happened that night, including why we were at that hotel to begin with. I share what he revealed about our mother without exposing his suspicion that this was about power and not to letthemget it. I don’t share that his dying wish was for me to gather all of them and for us to rise in power. I don’t share what I’ve already put into motion to do just that.
“Why the lies then, brother?” Fergus asks, shaking his head.
“For the same reason I’m insisting that you keep quiet now,” I say. “We can’t seek vengeance in a blind rage. Who ever is responsible for our parents’ deaths needs to think they got away with it. They need to let their guard down. And in order for that to happen, everyone needed to believe the story I supplied about our father—especially his family, in case anyone was watching.”
“So why tell us the truth now?” Flynn asks.
“Enough time has passed. I never planned to keep you in the dark indefinitely. The less you knew the better, but I realize now you need to know enough to be on guard to protect yourselves. I’m putting a security detail on each of you.”
“Is that really necessary?” Callum asks. He looks like he is prepared to say more, but my glare silences him.
“Did you all hear what I just fucking said?” I’m trying not to grow anymore agitated. They’re clueless on the threats of our world—the one they’re linked to regardless if they want to be or not. “Someone or multiple someones plotted to take out our parents. Yes, mam was eighteen years ago, but our father thought it was relevant enough to share as he was bleeding out in my arms. We have no fucking idea who did this or if they’re done. As Clan Chief now, I have a duty to protect my family and our clan. That’s one less goddamn headache if I at least know that my family has security in my absence.”
“Sorry, brother. You’re right,” Callum apologizes.
