AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I should go,” Isabella says; her eyes wide, and her mouth agape.
She looks terrified and who can blame her? Murder shouldn’t be a topic freely discussed, not even if the parties in question know it happens. It’s a heavy cross to carry.
“No, no,” Bruno shakes his head, stopping Isabella with a hand against her shoulder. “This little get together is actually perfect. I wanted to speak to both of you about what comes next.”
Neither Isabella nor I speak. What reason could he have for wanting Isabella to stay here?
“You see, Maddox, I wasn’t lying when I told you that many in my court must face an impossible task to join my ranks. Of course, none of them have ever been so sensitive. Emma Blake, God rest her soul, was a nuisance that needed a heavy hand to put her in place,” Bruno gestures that Isabella and I take a seat. We both do. The white wingback chairs feel as uncomfortable as they look.
“I’m happy to help,” I reply. It seems stupid to say.
Bruno walks off to one corner of the room. He pulls out three whiskey tumblers and a see-through decanter full of amber liquid from a shelf. He brings them all over, setting them down on the round table between the chairs.
“You a smoker, Maddox? Would you like to light a cigar in celebration?” the King asks.
“No, sir. Don’t smoke. I saw it kill my grandpa,” I reply. “Barely drink too.”
Bruno pours three glasses, around three fingers full of whiskey. I’m not much of a drinker, only when it’s necessary. So, I can stomach a glass with him and Isabella.
“With your illustrious career behind you? You must be made of stone,” Bruno chuckles. He hands us a glass each, even after my admission of not drinking.
“It’s easier to live with the demons. They keep me sharp,” I say. Before Isabella’s burden on my mind, that was true, too.
“Is that right? The demons keep you sharp? I like that,” Bruno chuckles, somewhat impressed by my words. “I really do like that. I’ve got great news. Those days are behind you, Maddox. Far behind, in fact.”
“How’s that?” I reply, bringing the tumbler to my nose. A long sniff tells me it’s aged, decadent, probably delicious to someone who’s got a palate for whiskey.
Bruno pauses, sips his drink, and smacks his lips together. “That is a damned fine drink.”
This feels more like an informal get together, something I’m unused to when being in the palace. I’m getting more nervous by the second. Is all of this some big ruse I’ll never see play out? I’ve heard stories of The King’s cruelty. How he doesn’t keep loose ends. Did I play my hand too early and now I’m a liability?
I take a sip. If any of those thoughts are accurate, there really is no point in worrying about life’s slow deaths.
“Wouldn’t you agree, Son?” Bruno asks, before a little chuckle escapes his lips.
Son. That word feels out of place. He’s never called me son. It’s always been Maddox, maybe Maddy once or twice. The suspense is killing me.
“A damn fine drink,” I parrot his words.
“Then, you should get used to it,” The King says. He’s being intentionally cryptic, making it hard to think and breathe. Bruno’s giddy grin isn’t making this any easier.
“Like I said, Sir, I’m not much one for drinking. Don’t really see myself buying whiskey to take home,” I reply.
“Bourbon,” Bruno corrects me. “They’re similar, but so very different. A good single malt is fine, but I like my smoky rye the best. However, that’s not why you should get used to the luxuries of life, no. There’s something much better planned for you, Maddox.”
He could be talking bullshit and I wouldn’t know the difference. This song and dance is probably just Bruno’s way of welcoming me to his family. No longer a Braddock footman, occasionally working for The King but now a staple on his main roster. After being kicked out by my father, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Isabella takes a sip of the bourbon and her face twists into a disgusted scowl. It makes the corners of my lips tug up.
“Let me not keep you in suspense any longer. I’m sure you’d like to get some rest after your job tonight,” Bruno takes down his drink like a shot. A guttural growl leaves his lips, and he slams the glass back on the table. “Maddox, I’d like to invite you to the Romani family. You’ve not only proven your worth to me tonight, but you’ve shown years of dedication to my cause. Your father doesn’t see the potential in you, giving you jobs like slapping Larry Slater around for a small scrap of nothing.”
My thoughts exactly.
“I believe you’d be the perfect addition to my family. Strong, independent, with just enough brooding to make you endearing,” Bruno snickers.
“Mister Romani, it would be an honor to serve among your ranks,” I say. I know there’s a whole song and dance to accompany this. Bruno’s letting me know tonight, before initiating me as a made man in the future.
“My ranks? Oh, no, I know all this family talk can get confusing. I’m not offering you a place under my organization, Maddox.”
