Page 104 of Lord of Debauchery

Thankfully, I’d listened to her.

Beckham

Since I was a kid, I’d always been fascinated by a full moon. Maybe it was after reading too many werewolf novels, which had been my favorite as a young boy. Whatever the case, as I stood at the railing, the ocean only meters away, I was reminded of how amazing my wife truly was.

I’d thought for certain there were no new ways she could surprise me, but this place was absolutely magical. I was standing on a massive party deck, one of four attached to the newly acquired property that had been renovated from a basic fortress into a lavish hotel, drinking expensive scotch while an incredible island band played seductive Caribbean music behind a still ongoing dinner party for thirty people.

The love of my life had even invited her best friend and husband from Maine, my two brothers and their girlfriends along with the entire Brotherhood, including their lovely wives. I honestly didn’t know how she’d pulled it off without my knowledge, but something told me she’d had help from my father and mother.

Ironically, they’d chosen to take a third honeymoon of their own, heading off to Europe all by themselves. I would need to thank them when we all returned.

For now, this was a week of respite, rich food, and the finest alcoholic beverages under the sun-filled sky by day and blissful passion by night. What could be better?

It was also a debriefing of the events occurring months before. Since the raid on the compound in Virginia, all twelve of us hadn’t managed to get together. It wasn’t really necessary since the entire ordeal had been taken from our hands, the various police organizations taking the combined evidence and building strong cases.

I wasn’t entirely certain there were enough courtrooms or prisons to hold the soon to be new convicts, but it would be fun to see what happened.

As I felt a collective presence behind me, I leaned over the railing. My beloved bride had once accused me of acting as if I was king of the world. On this gorgeous clear night, that’s exactly what I felt like.

“The vice president is putting up a hard fight in trying to get his conviction tossed out,” Daniel Thorn said as he leaned over the railing with me.

“So I heard,” I answered in passing.

“You don’t need to worry about the son of a bitch worming his way out,” Kraven said after flanking my other side.

“No, he’s going away for a long time,” Maxim growled.

I wasn’t certain if I’d say the man had warmed up to me, but I did like and admire his style. As I glanced from one side of the long railing to the other, I marveled at the fact twelve men from various parts of the world, twelve ruthless business moguls, twelve powerful and often arrogant men who should be the least likely to become friends were standing here together.

We’d survived a horrible ordeal, some members forced to endure the unknowing and difficulties longer than others. We’d kept our integrity, our honesty, and our pledge to our families. I’d learned a lot about myself in the last four months, including stopping and smelling the roses.

I’d also learned that through diligent teamwork and keeping cool heads, anything was possible.

How ironic I was forty-two years old and had just figured that out. I guess better late than never.

“You know this isn’t over, gentlemen, not completely anyway,” Constantine said quietly, as if worried our lovely companions would overhear us.

“We’re the Brotherhood. We can handle anything as necessary,” I said in reverence.

I sensed every man was nodding.

“Time to lift your glasses, gentlemen,” Gabriel suggested, raising his first.

“To the Brotherhood where we’ve found strength in numbers and friendships that I hope will last a lifetime,” Diego offered.

“Aww,” many of the men said, all of us chuckling.

“Mushy,” I snorted.

Diego threw me a hateful look, winking afterwards.

“Not mushy at all. Perfect,” Sabatino threw in.

“Stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent,” Kraven piped in.

“Hide in plain sight,” Maxim added.

“We’re good at that,” Dante just had to throw in.

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