Chapter 217

“Hello there. I’m George Fitch, and this is my partner, Zayn Holland,” the officer said.

Thomas blinked at the policemen. He had been expecting his parents – not cops.

“Is there an adult in the house?” Zayn asked, stepping forward.

Before Thomas could respond, Monica appeared beside him.

“Mr. and Mrs. Stone…” she paused when she saw the officers. Monica eyed them suspiciously before turning to Thomas. “I already told you not to open the door to strangers.”

Thomas frowned. “I’m seventeen, Monica. You can’t keep bossing me around.”

The officers chuckled, and Thomas’s cheeks burnt. Uncle Mike joined them.

“What’s going on?” he asked, his voice tense.

“We’re from the San Francisco Police Department,” George said, glancing briefly at Thomas. “We have news.”

Uncle Mike looked at Thomas. “Go play with your brother.”

Thomas hesitated, then left. He had barely climbed two steps when he heard a whimper.

It was small, almost inaudible.

He paused. They didn’t have a dog. What was that sound?

As he reached the top of the stairs, a pungent smell hit him hard – almost making him puke.

Later that night, Thomas did puke when Uncle Mike told him about his parents’ death.

When he laid in his bed, tears filling his eyes, he could have sworn he heard his mother whisper his name.

The first time Thomas saw the man with a huge star tattoo on his forehead, he was fighting back tears.

He was dressed in black, listening to the bleak voice of the preacher. He was tired, and he just wanted to go home.

“You’re in charge now,” Uncle Mike’s voice cut through his thoughts.

Thomas turned to him with a weak smile.

Behind him, Theresa sat with red, swollen eyes. Beside her, the twins and Silas played, oblivious to the situation.

Theresa reached out, squeezing his shoulder. He placed his hand over hers, and she burst into tears again.

“What’s wrong with you, Resa?” Silas asked innocently.

Thomas turned to him fully. “She has the flu,” he said gently. “Best to stay away from her."

“Yes,” Theresa agreed tearfully.

“Get well soon, Theresa,” Silas said, offering her one of his kindest looks.

Thomas’s heart ached. He had to keep that innocence alive. He had to protect Silas from the pain that was tearing up his own heart.

“Remember what I told you,” Uncle Mike said again.

Thomas didn’t smile this time, he just looked away.

After the ceremony, Uncle Mike led Thomas to the man with the tattoo.

“Meet Thomas, the man in charge,” he said, almost like he was presenting a prized trophy.

The tattooed man barely looked at Thomas. “You already started business in my country. When do I get my Island?”

“Soon,” Uncle Mike replied. “I still have things to take care of.”

The man didn’t say anything, he just walked away.

“What was that?” Thomas asked when the man left.

“I’ll explain later,” Uncle Mike responded as they walked back to the car.

When Thomas was getting ready for bed, his door opened after a small knock and Uncle Mike entered.

“Hey, my boy, we need to talk."

Thomas followed him down the hallway. “Are we going to Dad’s study?” he asked. “He always said important things there.”

Uncle Mike froze, his expression darkening with guilt and sadness.

Maybe it was still too soon.

They ended up in Uncle Mike’s room. Thomas perched on the bed, eyeing the bottle of whiskey on the table.

Uncle Mike went to the mini fridge, pulled out two glasses, poured the liquor, and handed one to Thomas.

Thomas stared at it. “Uncle Mike… I’m not eighteen yet.”

“You will be soon,” Uncle Mike said. “And you’re already a man. Time to learn the small things in life. Drink.”

Thomas hesitated.

“I can never lead you astray, my boy,” he added softly. “Drink up.”

Thomas nodded and took the glass.

“All at once,” Uncle Mike said, “Like this.” He downed his own.

Thomas copied him. The liquid scorched his throat like fire.

“That’s my boy,” Uncle Mike said proudly. “It gets better.”

Thomas wiped his mouth with his palm, feeling the burning trail to his stomach. Oddly enough, it did get better.

“Let me give you a quick recap before we get into the serious stuff,” Uncle Mike said, refilling their glasses. “Just sip this time.” Thomas nodded again.

“Your grandfather bought four acres of land when he was younger. Said he wanted a big family. He dreamed of being a farmer, living a quiet life. But Grandma could only have two boys, and he loved her too much to take another wife.

“Your dad was always the businessman. While I wanted to travel the world, Tom wanted kids and a home. And he got both.”

Thomas’s heart tightened, but the alcohol swallowed his grief.

“Take a sip,” Uncle Mike said.

Thomas obeyed.

“Tom started the real estate business. Because of your dad's drive, I started Night Bird. Grandpa began with four lands. Now has how many?”

“28,” Thomas said proudly. He knew the family business very well.

“Exactly!” Uncle Mike grinned. “Now it’s your turn. Time to expand the business.” He leaned in, lowering his voice. “That man at the funeral, he wants the Island. And he’s offering $80 million.”

Thomas blinked. “I don’t have that kind of authority-”

“Tomorrow, the family lawyer will sign everything over to you. I’ll mentor you, of course, but the decisions will be yours. You’ll be the richest man in California and Silas can be well taken care of.”

Thomas’ heart fluttered when he remembered Silas. “What does he want with the Island?”

“He wants to grow… stuff.”

Thomas narrowed his eyes. “Legal or illegal?”

Uncle Mike laughed. “See? You’ve got the business drive already.”

Thomas chuckled nervously, sipping his drink.

“He wants to grow marijuana. Illegally.”

Thomas shot to his feet. “That’s against the law.”

“So is getting rich,” Uncle Mike said, standing too. “Just take the 80 million and look away, people do it.”

Thomas stared at him. “Why are you okay with this?”

Uncle Mike sat down again. “Honestly, Thomas. If we cling to morals and refuse the money, we might never reach the top.”

Suspicion rose in Thomas’s chest. “What’s in it for you?”

“Nothing,” Uncle Mike said. “My brother is dead, I… don’t want the same for you. If you have money, you can control anything. If I die, I want to know that you’ll take care of Silas and your cousins.”

Thomas’s heart softened. “Don’t say that. You are not dying.”

Uncle Mike nodded, his eyes gleaming with sadness. “You don’t have to decide tonight. Here.” He gave him the rest of the liquor. “Just think about it.”

When Thomas got to his room, he sipped the liquor and thought hard.

80 million dollars.

He could actually become the richest man in California.

But the illegal part twisted in his gut.

In the end, he made a decision.

The next day, Thomas told the lawyer to move all the family assets into Silas’s name. Then he met with the tattooed man, finalized the deal, and deposited the full payment into his mother’s old account.

Years later, when Thomas told his fiancée everything, Rosie lit up.

“So that’s how you got your money!” she shrieked. “And a monthly cut after the $80 million? That’s huge, babe!”

But Thomas didn’t share her enthusiasm. His conscience had begun to prick him.

Silas had just launched his automobile company. The Stone Brothers were becoming famous – discover the truth.

He was terrified someone would.

“Why are we spending so little?” Rosie asked one night. “We should be touring countries!”

Thomas blinked. “I told you it’s illegal money, and you still want to flaunt it?

“You already did,” Rosie replied, her voice low. “And no one’s ever known before. Don’t you want to be famous?” She rubbed his chest.

Her touch distracted him for a moment, but he shoved her away gently, “No, babe. This has to end.”

Thomas did fly to Island Nova, despite the promise he and Uncle Mike had made never to go there.

He needed to tell Mateo face-to-face.

Mateo wasn’t there, but Thomas passed the message to the next in command.

“Tell Mateo never to contact me or my uncle again.”

He knew this could affect Uncle Mike’s business. The supply line would be cut.

But he didn’t care.

He had made enough money, and could repay Mateo every dollar.

He was leaving the house when he saw the girls. His heart clenched.

Mateo wasn’t just growing illegal crops. He was doing way worse.

And he never told them.

Despite his anger, a cold fear grew in Thomas’s chest.

It was that day he decided never to touch the money in his mother’s account.

Nor tell Uncle Mike what he had seen on the Island.