The Al Capone of Burgess

Chapter 3

Jack's POV

"What?" I looked at Uncle North in bewilderment. "Me?"

"That is what it says, Jack," he shrugged and I stood, grabbing the paper and reading it. "But why me?"

Uncle North laughed. "You have something very special inside, Jack. I can feel it, in my belly." I watched him pat the enormous thing, my mind still a daze.

"If you're not up to it, Jack, I could take over," Pitch suggested.

"No." I shook my head. "If my father wanted me to do this, I will." I turned my head, hearing laughter.

"This one?" My cousin Aster, or 'Bunny, as we called him, pointed at me. "He'll run this operation into the ground."

I stalked towards him. "I'm his son, Kangaroo," I taunted. He hated when I called him that because of his Aussie accent. A reminder that he'd grown up in Australia.

"Well," he glared. "You know what, mate? I don't believe in you. I don't believe you can do this."

I shrunk back as countless other relatives started to agree.

I don't believe in you. His words rang in my head and pulled me down like weights.

"I believe in you," a small voice said. A hush fell upon the room as everyone looked to the speaker.

"Oh, look, it's little Jamie," Pitch chuckled. "His big brother is bound to fail, his whole family thinks so, but still he refuses to stop believing."

"Not the whole family," Emma stepped forward next to her twin. Her action just caused more laughter.

"Oh, yes, both of the little ones," Pitch rolled his eyes.

"Hey." I smiled as my cousin hopped up on the table. "Cut it out. They're kids, not stupid."

"Only you would say that, Peter. Since you refuse to grow up," Pitch spat. Peter chose to ignore him, something Pitch despised.

"If Jack said he could fly, I would believe him. Everyone can do anything with a little faith and trust." He winked at the twins. "And pixie dust."

"Jack is the most qualified person here to lead the Mafia," he grinned at me. I grinned right back.

"Says who?" Bunny countered. "Says Manny," Peter glared, making Bunny look down.

"Peter is right," Uncle North nodded. "We will hold celebration to make Jack new Mob Boss, yes?" Slowly, everyone nodded. Pitch, last.

I smiled politely at everyone as they filed out, leaving Elsa and I, along with my mother.

"I'm sorry, Jack," she apologized. "I would have said something, but I didn't feel like fighting. Not today."

I nodded, smiling gently. "It's alright, Ma. I understand." I watched her leave the room and turned to Elsa.

"Sorry about that. Tough crowd," I joked, making her laugh. I sighed and returned to my seat. "What do you think? Do you think I can do this?"

I ran my fingers through my white shock of hair. "I mean, one minute I'm Jack Frost, grieving son. The next I'm Jack Frost, newly proclaimed, 'King of the Mafia.'"

I chuckled at the oddness of everything. The will. My family. My life. All of it is so chaotic.

I looked up as she interrupted my thoughts. "Jack, I don't know much about this, but I do know that you can do this. Even though I haven't known you that long."

I smiled brightly at her. "Thanks." She nodded and stood, pulling me up. "So, are you gonna ask me out to dinner, or what?"