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I stood with my back to Josh, trying to process the revelation.
A powerful family? Secret bloodlines?
It all felt like a fantasy—one of those wild stories you'd laugh off with friends—but the seriousness in Josh's eyes told me this was anything but fiction.
I turned to face him, determination rising in my chest.
"Tell me everything," I said firmly. "I want to know about my family, your organization, and why people are trying to use me. What for?"
Josh's eyes locked onto mine, and his voice took on a deadly serious tone.
"Your family's legacy is tied to a complex web of influence and power, ya feel me?" he began. "Others have been tryin' to tap into it for centuries, and now that you're of age, they're closing in."
He glanced around the room as if expecting someone to be eavesdropping.
"This ain't just about money or social clout. Your family built a whole network—political ties, financial backchannels, strategic partnerships—all designed to exert serious leverage over big decisions in the world. Governments, corporations… even law enforcement in some regions. They move silently but powerfully."
I felt my pulse quicken. My family? That didn't sound like the peaceful, average upbringing I remembered.
"What kind of power are we talking about?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Josh leaned in, lowering his voice.
"The kind that shifts markets, influences national policies, and reshapes entire industries. Your family's roots are deep, and their network of alliances makes them extremely dangerous—to both help and hurt others. That kind of influence? People will kill for it."
I blinked, barely able to process the weight of it.
"And the Order of the Red Hand?" I asked, almost in a whisper.
Josh's jaw clenched.
"They're the worst of the worst. A ruthless organization that's been trying to steal your family's network for years. They're patient, methodical… and brutal. They don't just want power—they want total control. And they'll stop at nothing to get it."
A knot formed in my stomach.
"But something doesn't make sense," I said slowly. "If I don't know anything, why are they after me?"
Josh hesitated. "Actually... that part's tricky. See, in your family, only the firstborn son of every generation is told the full details of the family legacy. That means your brother knows everything—he's the key."
My heart dropped.
"So why are they coming after me?" I asked, my voice shaking.
Josh looked me straight in the eye.
"Because they can't get to him directly. You're the bait. The emotional pressure point. They know if they hurt you, threaten you—or worse—he'll give them what they want. You're leverage, whether you like it or not."
I stood there frozen, the truth crashing over me like a wave.
All this time… I thought I was just caught in some dark twist of fate. But I was a pawn in a much bigger game—one that involved bloodlines, power, secrets, and enemies who played for keeps.
And now, I had a choice to make.
Keep running from the truth…
Or step into the game.
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