Page 59 of The Prodigal Prince

Anger crossed Mr. Villain’s face. “He was a great man, a misunderstood man, who had his birthright stolen from him.”

Mac snorted. “If you say so. That’s not the story I’ve heard from multiple reliable sources.” What birthright could he be talking about? Isaiah would never have been king. Only if both of his older siblings died without having children of their own.

“Did you ever meet him?”

“Not that I recall.” Mac couldn’t stop himself from poking the bear. “If I did, it was in passing, and he didn’t make much of an impression.”

The anger on Mr. Villain’s face had started to dissipate a little bit, but that made it increase again.

“I don’t see what that has to do with you,” Mac went on. “I have no idea who you are or what the big deal is. I have the best mum in the world, and an incredible sister. Both of whom make far better queens than Isaiah ever would have been as king. Even if he had become king of Eyjania somehow, what makes you think you would have been his successor? Are you certain you’re his oldest child? Or that he’d make an illegitimate child his heir?”

Isaiah had never been married and never officially or unofficially claimed any of his children.

“He would have.” Traces of a sullen child came out of Mr. Villain.

Mac didn’t even try to stifle his laugh. “What makes you think that? He told you?”

“He did.” Now Mr. Villain went on the defensive.

With a sad shake of his head, Mac prodded further. “And you believed him? He was a notorious liar and a crime lord. He knew he’d never be king and would never need an heir. He told you what you wanted to hear so you’d do what he wanted you to do.”

The potential realization crossed his brother’s face. “I don’t believe you. Why should I listen to anything you have to say?”

Forcing himself to appear much more relaxed than he really felt, Mac leaned back in his seat, legs stretched out in front of him. “You don’t have to, but you have to know you won’t get out of here safely. Someone is going to come in looking for me, for…” He almost mentioned Gray but decided not to at the last second. “For us. They’re not going to let you get away with any of this. You’ll never be half the criminal mastermind Isaiah allegedly was.”

“Allegedly?”

“You said he was misunderstood and not given a fair chance in life. That means everything I’ve heard about his activities could be a lie then, rather than the story he fed to you.” Keep this guy talking. That thought ran through Mac’s head on a never-ending loop. If he kept Mr. Villain talking long enough, maybe someone would find them.

Maybe the Walruses would come for them. The WLRs - Water-Land Rescue - team could be called on to help in this situation. Despite his actual genetics, Mac was the son of one queen and brother of another. WLRs would be able to do things others wouldn’t.

He’d always admired the WLRs teams, had even met a few from time to time, but this would be different if they were the ones to come after Mac and his son.

Many of them would have already received commendations from both his mum and his sister. Some of those would never see the light of day. They’d never be able to discuss the missions with anyone outside of a very small circle of people. The time his biological father and his men held two royal families hostage - plus Esme and Gabe - was one of those.

Mac hadn’t been there, but the story had made its way back to him. The press and public had been told it was a WLRs exercise, but the reality had been far different.

During one of their few conversations while their mother lay dying, Esme told him that how Gabe reacted during that encounter helped her realize he wasn’t the same playboy he’d been portrayed as in the media. He’d stepped in between her and Isaiah’s men more than once. Mac would like to think Fiona would feel the same about him over the last couple of days.

Though his focus remained on Mr. Villain and protecting his son, Mac found himself missing Fiona in ways he hadn’t expected.

“You’re not going to convince me he’s the evil man the press - and even his family - portrayed him to be. He and my mother both told me the press was wrong about him.” Something sounded off in the man’s voice, but Mac couldn’t quite put his finger on what it could be.

“So Isaiah raised you?”Keep him talking.

“After I turned twelve I saw him regularly. My mum died when I was fifteen. Then he took care of me permanently.” Bitter undercurrents made Mac wonder what his half-brother could be hiding.

“But did he actually spend time with you? Was he a present father? Mac pressed. “Or did he simply make certain you had food to eat, a roof over your head, and other necessities?”

“I saw him all the time.” The bitterness turned defensive. “He raised me.”

Another thought occurred to Mac. “How did your mother die?”

“Car accident on a dangerous road between Akushla and Lake Akushla. People die there every year, so don’t try to convince me my father was behind it.” Mr. Villain stood and started to pace.

Mac didn’t respond, but also knew that people with the kind of power and influence Isaiah once had could make things look like accidents when they really weren’t. From what Mac knew, it wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility for Isaiah to have done so.

“He was going to give me this place.” Mr. Villain waved a hand at the walls visible. “It was given to him by his father. He had the paperwork that said so. We came down here and he put me in charge, made me the house manager. I took care of things. Saved money. Cut unnecessary staff. Made sure it was running the way it should. I was able to travel while the estate ran itself. When I came back, ourcousinhad made herself and her husband comfortable, claiming her grandfather had left it to her. I couldn’t find the paperwork from my father, so I let it go until I can prove it.”

---