Page 52 of The Forsaken Heir
Remembering how contrite he’d been with me that morning, it was hard to quantify how different the man could be in public versus private. Most knew him to be a man with a quick temper and easy to offend but otherwise honorable. He had little patience for diplomacy, and preferred head-on aggressive tactics to get what he thought he needed. That served him well in business and at court. His home life left much to be desired. Ever since I’d known Vincent, his father had been a constant source of pressure and stress. Benedictus kept trying to mold Vince into something he’d never be.
“Does that mean you guys had a fight?”
Vincent, finished with his treat, put his empty bowl aside and shrugged. “Something like that. Anyway, what doyouthink about Elle being back?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. No one, and I meanno one, hated talking about themselves or their current situation more than Vincent Beatrix. After all the years we’d been friends, I still found it strange. He lived an almost insular life. Holed up inside that mind of his was a sweet and intelligent man, but his awkwardness, hobbies, fascinations, and fixations made it hard for him to fit into a world that was so determined to have specific ways of doing things. Those strict rules and ideals didn’t leave much room for people who saw and interacted with the world in different ways.
Giving up, I chose to go along with his chosen path of conversation.
“I’m happy she’s safe, if that’s what you mean. I still can’t believe the wolves sent assassins after her. Their owndaughter?” I shook my head in disgusted wonder.
“Yeah. They seem like unpleasant people.”
“To say the least. Therehasto be something else going on. Some kind of miscommunication or misunderstanding,” I said. “Brielle has done nothing to warrant this type of reaction. Maybe something Karinius said came out wrong, or they took it the wrong way? I can’t believe a family would put a hit out on their innocent daughter for no good reason.”
“Maybe,” Vincent grunted as he leaned over and pulled open a drawer in the coffee table, extracting a deck of cards. “Wanna play?”
“Sure. Why not?” I shook my head and did my best to put other matters to the back of my mind.
My friend obviously needed to decompress after his meeting with his dad, and the last thing he needed was me bringing up drama from somewhere else.
“What do you want to play?” I asked.
Vincent was already shuffling the cards. “Gin rummy or crazy eights? Or we could do blackjack?”
“No way,” I said, holding up a finger. “No blackjack. Not after you took me for a thousand bucks a few months ago. No. We play war. I like that game.”
Vincent snorted a laugh but began dealing cards. “I guess we’re pretending to be twelve-year-olds.”
“Shut up. It’s fun, and I at least have a chance against you.”
For the next several hours, we passed the time playing cards and talking about banal things that didn’t matter—movies, books, video games Vince had played. Before we realized it, the sun had drifted low in the horizon, casting darkness across the estate grounds.
“Damn,” I said. “Getting late. I guess I should check on Elle and her friend.”
“Maybe,” Vince said with a shrug. “They might not want anyone bothering them. They almost died today.”
“Thank you for that. I’d almost forgotten,” I said, rolling my eyes.
I stood and crossed the floor to the room phone, then called Titus on his extension.
“Yes, Your Highness?” he said, answering on the second ring.
“Good evening, Titus. I assume you’ve heard we have guests again?”
“Yes, Highness. Word has spread. Lady Brielle has returned, along with her lady-in-waiting.
I frowned. “I’m not sure it’s as formal as that. I think the other lady is more a friend than a servant. Anyway, I wanted to see if they’ve called for dinner.”
“Not as of yet, Highness,” Titus responded.
“Very well. Go ahead and have something sent up, okay? Something nice, and send along a bottle of our best red wine.”
“Consider it done.”
“Thanks. I’m going to head over and let them know it will be up soon.”
“Understood.”
