The Knight (Stolen Duet 2)

Someday, we would finally destroy each other.

“Tell the attending he has ten minutes to have my discharge papers ready, or I’m leaving without them.”

“You lost too much blood, and you’ll tear your stitches.”

“Am I a pussy? Have I ever been a pussy?” Neither one of them offered an answer, but one wasn’t needed. “Brothers…” I stood carefully from the hospital bed. There was a burning pain in my gut that I ignored as I rocked to steady myself on my feet. “We have a runaway to find.”

“We can’t.”

With barely suppressed rage I said, “Why the fuck not?”

“Because an hour ago your family showed up demanding answers.”* * *TWO DAYS LATER, I sat at the head of the table in the estate’s library. Lucas and Z stood as silent forces behind me while each presumptive heir surrounded the table. This was the last place I wanted to be with Mian on the run and me still in pain, but this meeting could not be avoided.

I was on trial.

“I assume Victor and Eliana are dead.” Alistair was the first to speak after I gave a quick recount of what had happened four days ago. He was a direct descendant of Alexander, which made him as much an enemy as an ally. His entire line resented mine ever since my great-grandfather, Adan, took Archibald’s life and inherited Alexander’s legacy.

I met his assessing gaze. “You assume correct, cousin.”

“We were sorry to hear about your mother,” stated Aldric, a descendant of Meredith. I nodded, believing his sincerity.

“Thank you.”

Reginald, a descendant of Alexander and first in line to succeed me, leaned forward, and I knew whatever he had to say would tempt me to kill him. “Why do you think Victor would betray your father after all these years? First, there was Theo,” he continued before I could speak, “and now Victor. I’m not sure the family shouldn’t be concerned about the betrayal your father’s rule has bred.”

“Well, my father doesn’t rule anymore. I do.”

“Yes, but I’m not sure how far you’ve actually fallen, Angeles.”

More than a dozen gazes settled on me, waiting. “If your next stipend isn’t to your satisfaction, we can revisit this conversation.”

“The money is good. I cannot deny you that accomplishment, but it’s not enough. We need protection and to believe you won’t be the end of Alexander’s legacy.”

“Has anyone broken down your door and harmed you?”

“Fortunately, that has not occurred…yet.”

“Well, then you shouldn’t incite fate. Victor kidnapped my mother so he could get me alone and kill me.” It was at least part truth. “He’s been taken care of without any harm to the family.”

“Except your mother,” he cruelly reminded. “Or have you forgotten?”

“She was also Victor’s wife.” No one regretted leaving her vulnerable to that asshole more than I did. Lucas and Z shifted behind me. One word from me, and they would make sure Reginald didn’t overstep again.

“Reginald, I believe you’re being a bit too hard on the boy,” Alistair valiantly admonished. “Shit happens.”

“Yes. Just as long as Angel understands that shit,” he mocked, “cannot continue to happen. I see no reason to continue this meeting.”

Augustine and I locked gazes. He rolled his eyes with a smirk as our kin continued to argue. I held back my own and called the meeting to an end. It would take more than the actions of a traitor to dethrone me. Augustine, the descendant of Meredith, hung back as the rest of them filed out. We collided in a brotherly hug and exchanged grins when we pulled apart. “Try not to take their scrutiny too personally,” he said the moment we were alone. “They’re time is running out. They’ll look for any excuse to take your place.”

“And you, cousin? Don’t you want to reap the glory of being the Knight?”

He shrugged. “I’ve got my own thing going, and I answer to no one.”

I wanted to ask about his little venture, but I knew he wouldn’t tell me anything even if I ordered him. He was even more stubborn than I was. “How is your mother?” His shoulders relaxed at my change in subject. “I noticed she didn’t come.”

“You know Mother. She hates anything to do with Alexander and his legacy.”

“She would have run away with you years ago if Alan hadn’t kept her under lock and key.” Augustine may not have wanted me dead, but his grandfather was another story. I could never prove my suspicions, but I was sure he had been responsible for a couple of the attempts on my life. When you were a crime lord, people tried to kill you. Every job had its hazards, but when treachery is rooted from within your circle, it was more than just a hazard. It was a goddamn problem.

If I ever did prove Alan was behind the hit, I would have no choice but to make an example out of him. It was the very reason my friendship with Augustine skated on very thin ice. Killing his grandfather would no doubt make us enemies.