Tristan was holding Vienna in his arms as he was embracing her. He looked into her eyes silently waiting for her to speak.

Vienna breathed "Tristan. So ... What does this mean? They must have some males in that family. The O'Kanes are a large family." She knew about the O'Kane family more than she should have because Vincenzo talked about them with Viggo alot. He saw them as rivals of the Rosarios. How Vincenzo described them worried Vienna. O'Kanes were a family she didnt want to think about. She had heard enough about them from Vincenzo to know they were not friends of her Italian-American family. They were not their enemies because her father had not given them a reason to be. Not yet. But no one was immune to their feuds and brutality of their revenge missions. The O'Kanes were easily offended. One member of any family offending them could mean getting wiped out. They didnt forgive even the smallest crimes. Years ago there was a mob war and the O'Kanes had made sure to wipe out all enemies at a big cost. She had no idea that Tristan was related to them at all. She was worried for him. Jackson O'Kane was the most brutal man she had ever heard of.

Tristan sighed "Vienna. I think you know the definition of a male heir. Trent and I are the only ones. Jackson O'Kane lost many nephews and his younger brothers now only have daughters.  He also lost many male cousins in the mob war. He does have cousins through his mother's side as you know. The O'Quinns and the O'Keefes are his closest relatives but they dont have O'Kane blood as they are related to Jackson O'Kane's mother who was half O'Quinn and half O'Keefe...." Tristan paused. "Are you Okay Vienna?"

Vienna gave out a shaky breath "I am fine.. its just too much to take in... Continue Tristan. How is it there are no male heirs at all in such a large family?" Vienna then trembled as she was just realising that the O'Quinn and O'Keefe family were related to Tristan. She had met their kids a few times years ago in birthday parties. Years back when they were younger it was possible to mix with the Irish without concerns of any clash happening. Kids parties were mixed. However even as kids the O'Keefes and O'Quinn's did give her the chills. The kids were no friends of hers or her brothers. She was wary of them.

Tristan explained " I even haven't met some members of the O'Kane family. They mean business. All my life I have known I am to be prepared for something bigger than anything I can imagine. Jackson O'Kane is the head of his large family. He informed my father years ago that his sons are his heirs too. I wish there was a way to make you not worried but Vienna use your imagination. O'Kanes are powerful and influential beyond what you can imagine. They have alliances by blood with O'Keefes and O'Quinns. They are axes of power just like how Rosarios are with Agostinis and O'Neil's. I think you are right that there should be more male heirs. As precaution they are protecting Jonas O'Kane who is Jackson's sister's son. She married her father's accountant in secret and had him. They made sure he kept the family name of his mother as the father was made to disappear. Some say he is dead but I think he is in exile. He is to be trained as a lawyer since his mother does not want him to risk his life. He is the only other heir but they keep him secret. I have met him a couple of times. I don't wish to say he is like Edward Blake but he is someone like him without the clumsiness. He is smart. He is like his father. Very academic. He sent me some of his research papers he is working on with forecast of Wall Street. He will be a lawyer and strategist for me when I take over. I think his uncle had some hopes to convince his sister to let Jonas be his heir but then he sees Jonas is not a born leader. So his mother got his wish. He is not in danger as the head of the family..."

Vienna was surprised " How come I have never met him?"

Tristan spoke " He is being protected. He was a flight risk to begin with. A couple of times he left home without permission to go look for his father. He got caught within hours of course. He is very curious about his father. When I become in charge I would allow him to meet with him. He is desperate to meet him. He is loyal to his uncle but he just wants to know his father. He doesn't even know if he is alive. I think Jackson O'Kane can be unreasonable at times. Jonas has been the model nephew doing everything by the book. He doesn't put one foot wrong. I think everyone deserves to know their family. He just wants to check if his father is alive and safe."

Vienna became thoughtful " You know... My father doesn't want to know his family. He doesn't let us see our grandpa or mention him. He says it's god our safety. But I am curious about him. I can understand why Jonas wants to know his father."

Tristan frowned " Well. I am sure there is a good reason Vienna for your father not to let you see him. Fathers always know best..."

Just then there was a knock on the door. It was Trent's voice " Tristan are you in there? You need to come out and finish your lunch. There is a rush for the meeting to happen quick."

Tristan turned to Vienna " Are you going to be ok or you need time?"

Vienna bit her lip " I am fine when you are with me. She then leaned closer and kissed Tristan's lips.

Tristan loved it when Vienna initiated their kisses. It showed trust. Part of him hoped for when he became an O'Kane head, Vienna was also going to see him in this light. He wished she was always this close and nothing came between them. He was going to work hard to keep the peace between Italians and the Irish. After he kissed Vienna to his heart's desire he pulled away and responded to Trent " Coming now."

Tristan walked to the door and opened it " Why is there a rush Trent?"

Trent stated " There is Irish company coming apparently. Uncle Jackson is coming with his allies."

Tristan looked at Vienna who looked shocked and said " Don't look so worried. It will be ok." He then held her hand and lead her to the dining hall. He noticed his father was in a far corner speaking to Sterling Johnson.

Sterling Johnson was glancing around the room as he was speaking to Emanuelle O'Neil " These are your people. I will need you to go out there alone and find out what they want when they arrive. Do you think you can do that?" His stare then fell on Emanuelle looking at him almost pleadingly "Look, I dont want anyone to die on my property. I could call back up but this is not ideal to get more families involved. I count on you to make sure Jackson doesn't start a a war here on my watch. What am I going to do with Agostini? It can get messy."

O'Neil shrugged "You are reading too much into this. Jackson is a businessman. He is here for business and if he wants a fight he will get one. But I doubt he is here to fight. I think he will be here to make a statement just like how he always does. Agostini will behave himself. Trust him."

Sterling sighed "This is no time to be optimistic Emanuelle. Look around you. This room is full of people he despises."

O"Neil suggested "You can refuse to let him into the area. Its your call. Dont let him in but he will break the door down if he wants to get in badly enough. So it makes no difference to put this off. As for the people in the room, they dont want trouble. Just make sure everyone has  a gun because Jackson and his people wont come without guns. I will go out there to speak to him when he arrives if it makes you happy."

Sterling replied "Of course it will make me happy. You are one of his people. You are his cousin. Your mother is his father's sister. Emanuelle go talk to him when he comes and find out what he wants. Then make a sign to me as to what I should expect in my house when he enters."

O'Neil smiled "All right chief." He then winked. That was his nickname for Sterling. They went way back. O'Neil didn't mind testing the waters for Sterling but he also didnt mind seeing some entertainment in the case if Jackson bumped into some others in the room. He couldnt help himself. He craved to see some priceless confrontation that he couldnt see otherwise because some people there didn't gather together often.

After lunch, the time came for drinks. Just when it was almost time to call all leaders for the quick shortened meeting, Sterling received word from his men that the Irish company had arrived hours earlier than he had anticipated. O'Neil was offered to go greet them with his sons. Trent and Tristan were always ready to back their father up but he prefered to face his cousin alone.

As Emanuelle walked outside the mansion alone, he made his way to where the cars were parked in the open space. He spotted his cousin Jackson from far. He had his usual posture. He was tall like him but bulky like a boxer and as strong as a wrestler. He was the definition of an invincible man. As Emanuelle was walking towards his cousin, he looked back at the building that he came from. He could see people watching from the windows. They were armed and ready. He smiled to himself. The Irish had reputation of being ruthless and as having no inhibitions. He didn't blame the people being on alert. But this was hillarious that this was one of the few times that some people in that room relied on him. This was not Italy so some men eher had little power and this was an Irish situation.

As O'Neil approached his cousin, he gave his cousin a military salute "Greetings cousin. What brings you here?"

His cousin Jackson didnt move from his spot as he was leaning to the car with his hands in his pocket surrounded by men armed with various weapons. He didnt react until Emanuelle reached him. Just when O'Neil reached him, he opened his arms and embraced his cousin.  Jackson whispered "I should ask you the same cousin. Why are you here?"

O'Neil felt Jackson's anger as he was holding him tightly. His cousin was giving him a bone crushing hug and he tried to do the same. O'Neil laughed it off "I think you can let go now Jackson."

Jackson whispered in his ear " I never do let go of my family. I am no traitor to my own blood." He then let go of him.

As O'Neil broke away he spoke "Am I one?"

Jackson retorted " You didnt tell me the Don had his heir announced today. I heard it from strangers. Why did you not inform me instantly? Were you trying to hide this information? Why? You should have contacted me immediately. This is important."

Just then, O'Neil then saw his other cousins who got off two other cars as they recahed the hotel compound. He gave then a wave "Greetings Keith and Colton." Keith O'Quinn and Colton O'Keefe were Jackson's cousins and ones willing to die for Jackson but they also saw O'Neil as their distant cousin. They nodded at him silently which O'Neil never took for granted. They could easily pretend like he didn't exist. He hadnt given them a reason to be nice to him. He kept his distance which was betrayal in their eyes sometimes. But they still counted him as their blood surprisingly.

O'Neil turned toJackson "Today is a busy day here. Why dont you drop by another day? Well, it only happened today. I didnt also think that the affairs of the Rosarios was going to be of any interest." He knew he was pushing it with Jackson. Of course Rosarios were important. The guy obsessed over Anna. There was a reason Sterling hadn't mentioned that the guest list included family members to Jackson. If Jackson knew Anna was coming, he would have come. He cared for Rosarios. Now that the Don had announced an heir, now Jackson wanted to know about it because it impacted Rosarios including Anna. It was  a big change.

Jackson responded calmly but with a strain in his voice " You never fail to amaze me. You dare look at me and dont deny this Terence, which is added to your list of crimes as a traitor who doesnt want to acknowledge his mother's side as much as he should."

Jackson of course refused to call him by his Italian name as always. Emanuelle was one of his names on his birth certificate. His other name was Terence, an irish name.

O'Neil smiled weakly " I am no traitor and do respect my mother's side. Look. The announcement happened at the church. I didnt know it was going to happen and neither did anyone else. I expected Sterling to brief you on this later since he did invite you intially. You refused to come. But I really didn't think you would be interested in Rosarios and what they do. Years has gone by..." He couldnt help it. He wanted to test the waters to the limits. He perefred to see any issue with Agostini to come out now rather than when he went inside. He needed to know how mad he was going to be if he went inside. Sometimes it was best to get him mad outside.

Jackson raised an eyebrow "You know Terence, I dont appreciate your words. You are lucky I am not interested in spilling your blood. Anyone else would have chopped you up to pieces for the insults you hid in your sentences just now starting with you tongue."

O'Neil rolled his eyes "Jackson. No offence was intended. So why are you here? Are you here to congratulate the Rosarios for appointing a new heir or you are here for another matter?"

Jackson narrowed his eyes "Drop the questions. Its time for actions. I am here for many reasons.  But as you know, it is a good time to take your son with me. I was going to collect him shortly but now that the Don has claimed his heir, I am claiming mine just how I inetended. It is no coincidence that the Don has taken this decision just when I was about to announce Tristan as my heir. Do you have any objections to this. Say it now or act like an O'Kane and keep silent on this matter about your son as I do what I have to do."

O'Neil didnt like how his son's future was casually discussed. Since, Jackson had no children of his own and Jonas O"Kane, his sister's son was not leader material, then Tristan was the next in line. He replied honestly "As a father, I will question your decisions about my son. I always will.  But as  a business man I agree to all your terms. My son belongs to your organisation as he is partly an O'Kane. It is his responsibility."

Jackson asked "So where do you stand? Are you with us or against us?"

O'Neil stated "I am a Maverick. I cause problems. You know that. You can expect opposition but loyalty about all matters including any matters that concerns my son. I have raised my son to be free. He is free spirited but feral like me. He would do his duty to his family. He is honourable. But as his old man, I will do my duty to him first and then to my family. He always comes first, Jackson and yoru family comes second."

Jackson stated "Of course, you always remain as the Maverick of the family. So be it. I accept your response as a challenge to my authority but I wont charge you with any crimes. I crush anyone who opposes me but you are one special case to get away all the time. Terence. Be reasonable and I will try to be reasonable. Your son was promised to me years ago. You will honour your promise and he will take his Irish vow. I dont think you are in any position to refuse to co-operate. I am announcing him as my heir and will take him with me. Sicilians are taking Vincenzo on a plane to Palermo because he must be briefed and trained by the Don and on the other hand I am taking Tristan to my base in Boston. Do you have any objections?"

O'Neil replied "You need to ask that from my son. I have questions. Plenty of them. But my son is free and can object if he wishes. I wont forbid him to oppose you. My work is complete. I have taught him enough. But know this... I didnt raise my son to follow you. I raised my son to follow his heart, his values, his beliefs and his love. I raised my son to do what is best for him and those he cares about. If he follows you based on his judgement I will have no objecions."

Jackson gave him a half smile " Terrence. You are making wise choices. I surely look forward to speak to the young man personally. I am sure I will be intrigued. He will take his oath as an O'Kane."