Chapter 1
Cash POV
Now that Cassian was gone, it all fell on me.
Leading the family, holding everything togetherâit wasnât just a title, it was a responsibility that stretched farther than I ever wanted.
His kids were mine now. Their kids? Mine too. And it would keep going like that.
Generations stacked on my shoulders.
We were still healing⊠trying not to dwell on the absence Cassian and Rox left behind. Some days were easier than others.
But fate, in all its twisted humor, handed us something else to deal with.
A bigger problem.
Or maybe a worse one.
Damian.
The worst Blaylock kid weâd ever seen.
My poor favorite niece and Gage didnât stand a chance with that boy.
From the moment he came into this world, it was like he brought chaos with him. And not the fun kindâthe kind that tested patience, strength, and sanity all at once.
âWAAAAAAAH!â
A scream echoed from the other room.
I didnât even flinch. I already knew who it was.
Ryder.
Cyelle and the twinsâ kid.
âWhat nowâŠâ Tristan sighed, dragging a hand down his face.
âI donât want to go,â Trent muttered, already leaning back like he could disappear into the couch.
âTheyâve been awake ten minutes,â Gage said, deadpan.
I smirked. âWell, we canât disturb the ladies today. Rock, paper, scissors it is.â
âFuck,â Gage groaned.
We all burst out laughing.
âGood luck,â I added, already knowing how this would end.
Seconds later, Gage lost. Of course he did.
We sat back like spectators, watching the inevitable unfold outside.
And there he was.
Damian.
Platinum blond hair catching the light as he pinned Ryder into the floor like it was just another normal activity.
No hesitation. No remorse. Just pure, unfiltered dominance⊠for absolutely no reason.
Ryder? Crying like the world was ending.
âDONâT JUST LET HIM GRAB YOUâDO SOMETHING, RYDER!â Gage barked as he stormed out.
Then his attention snapped to Damian.
âAnd YOUâstart doing laps before I change my mind!â
Damian didnât even look fazed. Just shoved off Ryder and started running like it was nothing.
Like he didnât just start a war five minutes into the day.
I leaned back, exhaling slowly.
âAnd so it beginsâŠâ I muttered.
The stressful days of that kid had only just started.