Page 11 of Rhet

“Yes. You okay with that?” he asks.

I stop at my bedroom door. “If I have to be the king of corruption or fake being a politician for you to be happy, I will, Trent.”

He smiles wide. “Appreciate it. Maybe you can make us legit.”

“Legit?” Even that word seems bitter in my mouth.

“Yeah, legit. So maybe in our future, our children will be safe. He cast his eyes down sadly. “Promise me you’ll at least try.”

“Try to go legit? How? Dad wants me to join the Quarter Masters.”

“Are you?” he asks.

“I don’t know,” I reply, but deep down, I knew that I no longer would.

Trent smiles at me. “I heard in a few years the L-shore Waterfront will be up for bids.”

“You mean like the Docking Port district. We own part of it already,” I say.

Trent nods. “Yes, the southern side, but I’m talking about the northern side where the boats come in. They may auction the Waterfront and the acres of land with it.”

“How do you know that?” I ask, feeling insecure that my brother knows more about port life than I do.

“Research and association. If you bid high enough, you can control the Waterfront.” He smiles at me.

“Meaning, I can control what comes and goes at the Docking Port.” It’s all starting to make sense to me.

“Also, it offers you new opportunities. You can open restaurants or do something different.”

I raise my eyebrow at him. “Like what? More strip joints?”

Trent shakes his head at me. “No. The word is legit. Think outside the box, like boat houses maybe.”

I scratch my beard. “Or an Intercoastal Waterway, boater’s park at a price, sprinkle in some restaurants and bars.”

“Exactly, that’s the step you should take. Go legit.” Trent squeezes my shoulder.

“Here’s my proposal. You do the legit part and I do all the law defying work.” I smile slowly. College professor my ass.

Trent scratches his head. “If that Waterfront ever goes up for bid. We put my plan into action, and I may join you.”

“The truth is, I’m not interested in going straight. I guess, I’m more like dad than I care to admit.”

Disappointment shrouds my brother’s features. “You’re nothing like father. You’re better. Remember that for me.”

“I’ll see.” I touch his shoulder. “You okay?”

Trent nods. “Yeah, bro. I’m good. I just want our future to be different.”

“I’m going to screw Carson and Charlotte over.” I had already made up my mind.

“Leave it alone, Rhet,” he pleads.

“No, I can’t. I’ve had enough of Carson and his spawn.” I shake my head, knowing exactly where to hurt him the most.

Trent sighs. “I can’t change your mind, can I?”

No, he can’t. He’s the best big brother a man could ever have. Even though he’s only five years older than I am. In good times and bad, Trent has always been at my side, that’s why I will always have his back

---