Chapter 3

Ron strode over.

When he saw Morwen gripping me, his expression darkened.

"Let go."

Morwen hesitated, but she let go.

I immediately held up my wrist so he could see the red marks her fingers had left.

"She froze my bank card.

"And she says I owe you ninety million and have to marry someone to pay it off.

"And that's not all. She wants one of your future children to be the Colin family's heir!"

When Ron heard that last part, he frowned.

"Morwen, did you say that?"

Morwen's eyes welled up at once.

"Ron... let me explain."

She pointed at the bills on the table.

"I only did it because I can't bear to watch you sacrifice so much."

Ron didn't say anything.

The tears spilled over.

"For ten years, you've protected the family's reputation and settled every fight. Whenever something goes wrong, who fixes it? You.

"And Sorrel?

"She can't even follow the money through the Colin family's illegal businesses. Every year, she just stamps a document for you, and we all have to play along with her little heir game."

I said calmly, "I've always been the only heir."

Morwen whipped around.

"See!

"She actually believes it!"

When she'd finished, Ron looked torn.

Morwen grabbed his sleeve.

"Isn't that what you told me?

"The Don spoiled her. He was afraid she'd be embarrassed because she didn't know anything, so he made up this stamping ritual.

"You play along once a year, and now she thinks she's the one who puts food on your table."

Ron's expression settled.

Clearly, he thought the same thing.

I looked at him.

"So all this time, you thought the stamping was just you humoring me?"

Ron was quiet for a moment, then sighed in resignation.

"Sorrel, that's how it is.

"You never learned to shoot. The Don spoiled you and didn't want to hurt your feelings.

"He let you stamp my appointment papers every year so you'd feel involved."

He reached out to pat my head the way he used to when I was little.

I dodged.

Ron's hand froze in midair.

"When have I ever stopped you from wasting your time on those hobbies of yours?

"But you don't know what it takes to be a Don."

I stared at him for a while.

For ten years, I'd thought I was granting him another year in power each time.

And all along, he'd thought he was just playing along with my little game.

With Ron on her side, Morwen regained her confidence.

"What did I tell you?

"Ron is the Colin family's real heir."

Scoffing inwardly, I asked Ron, "So she was right to freeze my bank card?"

Ron frowned.

"Morwen went a little too far, but you do spend money like water. It wouldn't hurt to let her manage the household spending and help you rein it in."

"And Graham?"

"He disrespected my wife. He deserves a little punishment."

"And the marriage?"

Ron paused.

"It's just dating, nothing more.

"The Kellis family is rolling in money. You'd hardly be getting a bad deal."

I nearly laughed out loud.

The Colin family's heir never married for money.

Whoever married the heir always took the Colin name.

Ron was a Colin too. There was no way he didn't know that.

But now he clearly thought it was just another old rule that could be bent for him.

I didn't want to argue with him anymore.

Finally, I asked him, "So what about January first?"

Ron froze.

"What?"

"The seal that renews your appointment as underboss."

I asked, enunciating every word, "What if I don't stamp it?"

Morwen was the first to laugh.

"Princess, you're still trying to scare people with that?"

Ron's face darkened too.

"Sorrel, stop throwing a tantrum.

"It's just a formality.

"Do you think everyone in the Colin family will walk off the job the next day if you don't stamp it?"

I didn't say anything.

Ron seemed to think he'd silenced me, and his tone softened.

"If you're that upset, I'll go through the ritual with you one more time.

"But once it's stamped, don't bring this up again.

"Morwen is my wife. From now on, she'll handle the family's internal affairs. You're grown now. You can't expect everyone to cater to you forever."

Morwen finally smiled.

She went to Ron and slipped her arm through his.

"Did you hear that?

"That seal was only meant to keep you happy as a child, and now you're using it to order your cousin around."

I looked at the two of them and smiled.

"Fine.

"We'll talk on January first."

Ron took that to mean I'd finally decided to behave.

Before he left, he added, "Dock Graham three months' pay. That'll teach him.

"And your bank card stays with Morwen for now.

"Behave, and I'll put in a good word for you in a few days."

I didn't stop him.

When I returned to the main house, I summoned Vincent, the advisor in charge of the family's personnel.

"On January first, I want every capo from around the world here, along with everyone in charge of the family's businesses."

Vincent paused.

"Don't we usually just have a few representatives come?"

I opened the personnel roster.

"This year, we're choosing from scratch."