“And you do?” Her father was so consumed by the pieces on the chessboard that he forgot about the board itself. He still had failed to answer her question. Which meant he didn’t have the proof or he was letting his anger drive his actions. The latter was dangerous and it would end up hurting them all. “None of us know that for sure. You don’t know if they did or did not kill Paisley. Redemption and vengeance are both the streets painted red when you let your hate for the Costello family cloud your judgement.” A child being scolded. That is what her father’s remarks were sounded like to Priya. Yes, she was technically his child, but she was no longer little.
“You are right it is not a debate. I never sought your approval on it nor did I open my relationship up for your discussion. You may have an opinion of Ezra. Of the Costello family and all that they stand for. And while you did teach me to hate them and see them as my enemy I took your teachings as lessons to learn from rather than a strict guideline to follow. I learn from what I have been taught. I don’t repeat the actions or opinion of others. I make my own.” Her father could not tell her position was important one minute and then the next treat her as if she was that little girl who would do anything to gain her father’s approval. Years she spent trying to be the perfect daughter, student and sister. Years of watching and waiting for her father to notice everything she did for this family.
“I am not ten, father. I don’t do crushes. You are disappointed? Is this not what you wanted a week ago? You have wanted for sometime? For a Costello and Sinclair to be together? Or do you not approve of it because you had no hand in it? You can’t control something you played no part in. Just because you pull a string does not mean I will fall in line without a comment. I am not a puppet.” Priya put emphasis on the last word before she began to stand up from where she sat. “As both my boss and father your opinion has been noted and will not be taken under advisement at this time.”
She stands tall and looks down at her father. Neither of them would yield to the other. “To you I may not have inherited mother’s persuasion but I certainly inherited her sharp tongue. A trait I am for once glad to have gotten. The unbending stance on matters on the other hand, that I got from you.”
Morgan’s jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. “Are you questioning me? About my business? Your father or not, this is my kingdom. I’m Morgan motherfucking Sinclair. Do you forget what I do for a fucking living, Priya? I make people who piss me the fuck off, disappear.” Standing to his feet, Morgan finished his cigarette and tossed it on the ground. “This is not how this business works and this is not how you were raised. If your grandfather knew what you were doing, he would of already fucking killed that boy. You wanna go play house with a fucking Costello? Huh?! Family is number one, your little sister’s dead and all you can care about is some cock?! Your sister’s marriage was a fucking business arrangement, not a fairytale - so you’re right, you’re not ten, you’re a fucking adult. Grow the fuck up.”
Crushing the cigarette under his heel, Morgan turned and towards his town car, signaling at the driver that it was time to go. “Until you can remember where your loyalty lies, don’t show your face at my home or my business.” Not wasting his time to hear another word, Morgan walked away and slid into the backseat of his car.
