The Time For New Blood

Nolee nodded and headed upstairs.

Jacen smiled before turning to Artemis, looking at his brother as if they could read each other's minds.

Carter raised an eyebrow, "You boys okay?"

Nolee and Harris talked for a while, Harris being very disappointed in her for joining forces with other families. He stalked downstairs, staring at Jacen, "Your the Westmore boy?"

Artemis nodded before quickly looking up as Harris spoke to Jacen.

"Yes, I am." Jacen said. "Why?"

Harris doubled up his fist and hit Jacen across the face, "Your one of the two who corrupted my daughter into this silly war."

Carter looked intent, "What war?"

Jacen swore as Harris hit him, quickly giving Artemis a look to stop him attacking Harris back for it. "I didn't corrupt her, she joined us willingly."

"She knows better," Harris replied angrily. "I taught her better. I don't know what you and that Barrett boy promised her but call it off."

"I can't." Jacen said, shrugging his shoulders.

"And why not?"

"Well for starters, because it's business and we didn't corrupt her," Jacen said. "And because I'm not backing out of the parts of our plans that are already in progress. I'd rather not look like a coward."

"If I know anything about the Westmore's...you're all cowards." Harris smirked, "Piper sends his regards by the way. He told me to invite you to poker night."

Nolee listened from the stairs, feeling bad that she wasn't brave enough to say anything.

"We are not cowards!" Artemis said angrily, going quiet when Mikey put a hand on his arm.

"Excuse me sir, but we are not our parents and seeing as you assumed we corrupted your daughter, you obviously don't know much about us at all." Jacen said calmly. "How is Piper by the way? Haven't seen him in years..."

Carter stood, not on either side but when he looked up at his sister, he knew the truth. His sister wanted this war, wanted the power she could get from it.

Harris narrowed his eyes, "Piper's finer than frog hair. And I don't want you comin' round my daughter no more."

"You can't tell me what to do, you aren't my parent." Jacen sad. "But if you don't want us around here, then we'll stay away."

"No!" Nolee shouted as she rushed downstairs, "Jacen...you can't..."

"What?" Jacen asked. "All I said was that we'd stay away from your house..."

Nolee nodded, looking at him and taking a step away.

Harris frowned, looking at the two. "Jacen Westmore, I see you around my daughter and I'll kill you."

"Um...okay..." Jacen said, frowning and stepping away, glancing at Artemis who was glaring at Harris.

Nolee shook her head, "No. This is my family. You can't control what we do..."

Jacen watched quietly, moving closer to Artemis and Mikey.

Nolee stepped up to Harris, "You lost any right to run this family when you left it to me. All decisions are my decisions."

Harris shook his head, "You thought your mom dying was bad Nolee? When Farrelly and the others find out about what you're doing, they'll come after Carter. Or worse, Blake."

Nolee slapped Harris across the face, "How dare you!"

"All the more reason to have allies..." Mikey said quietly, rolling his eyes.

Harris laughed, "What does a pipsqueak like you know about running a mafia family?"

"Enough to know that having allies helps gain power..." Mikey said, trying not to sound nervous.

"Yes but not even the best of allies can protect you from some people...like the Farrelly's."