“Is there any way to change who Enzo’s heir is?”
“Enzo can change his heir at any time before the final game.”
I nod.
“Have you thought about who your heir will be?”
My heir.
“No, I haven’t. Who can I choose from?”
“A close blood relation’s child. Or a child of your own.”
A child of my own—I both love and hate that I’m incapable of having a child. I want a child more than anything. A chance to start again. A chance to change my family's destiny. But I don’t want to bring a child into this dark world. I don’t want them to suffer as I did, all for a chance to win an empire. I don’t want to have them spend their life preparing to do battle against Milo’s heir, which is what it would take to give them a shot at winning. I don’t want them to feel the weight of knowing they must win in order to prevent a monster from taking over an organization capable of controlling the world.
The Black empire has access to more security systems and weapons than almost any other organization. If it falls into the wrong hands, then the world could be controlled by a dangerous man. I still don’t understand how the world survived with Enzo’s father as ruler of the empire. It won’t survive if Milo is the ruler.
However, I don’t get to make the decision to have a child. My body isn’t capable. Maybe it’s time I find out for sure though.
“How much time do I have to find or produce an heir?” I ask.
“Until the final game. Round five. The rules state that all five games are played, even if someone has already won three rounds. At that point, you will lock in your heirs and determine the games for the future generation of Black.”
“And when will the final Black round take place? If I’m supposed to have a child to be my heir or Milo needs a child to be his heir, don’t those children need time to be born?”
“Yes, of course. The final game can wait to be played up to a year after the fourth game. If you both have a living heir after the fourth game is finished, then the game takes place immediately. If not, then you get one year to produce an heir.”
That still doesn’t give me a lot of time. To either get pregnant myself or find a blood relative with a child.
“Thank you, Archard. Any clue as to when the next round will happen?”
“You know I can’t give you that info.”
“Even if the fate of the Black empire falling into the wrong hands depends on it?” I need time to figure out a plan. I need time to find an heir. I need time to protect Enzo.
Archard scrunches his nose. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”
And I’m not sure if he would even if he could. I have no idea who has Archard’s loyalties, but I doubt that it’s me.
I get up from my seat and return to the bickering fools on the other side of the deck.
Liesel’s face is now bright red, and Langston has a goofy grin on his face as he stretches his arms behind his head.
I glare at them, and they immediately drop their discussion.
“What did you learn?” Liesel asks.
“That Enzo made any child of Milo’s his heir. Apparently, they are blood-related.”
Liesel smiles, and her eyes glaze over. “I’m not surprised. Milo is sexy as hell. He has the same tanned skin and dark hair that Enzo has.”
I ignore her comment and keep talking.
“In order for me to have a chance at winning and keeping the empire away from Milo, I need to have an heir by the final game.”
“Awesome, so who are you going to choose? Me or Langston?” Liesel asks.
I shake my head. “Neither of you are blood-related.”