Page 34 of When Kings Fall

I liked what we were building as a foursome and I’d do whatever I could to ensure it didn’t get fucked up.

I laid my guitar down carefully as I zoned in on the movement—harder to do now that it was dark outside in that area. I was fine with the lights from the porch a few feet from where I was at offering enough illumination for me to do my thing and make notes in my songwriting journal.

There!

It was Mason making his way toward the shed.

Huh.

I headed over there carefully when I saw him disappear inside.

I was just a couple of feet out when some small talk Mason had started up about the project Lev was working on reached me.

“It’s nothing special, but it’ll do. It’s functional.”

“Nothing special, Levi? Those intricate carvings and that detailing would beg to differ.”

“It’s just a revolving spice rack.”

“Doesn’t matter what it is, it’s how it’s made by you.”

“You’re buttering me up. Why?”

“Of course, that’s usually your thing. Feels strange being on the receiving end, doesn’t it?”

“Touché.”

“I’m not exactly buttering you up, but I am trying to start this conversation we need to have off in a good, peaceful, calm way.”

“Conversation?”

“Bree thinks we need to talk about what happened five years ago.”

“She thinks we do?”

“All right, I do as well.”

“So do I.”

“Yeah?”

“It’s been long overdue.”

“I agree.”

“I’m sorry, Mason.”

“You’re… say again?”

“That night when I went after those fuckers, I had tunnel vision. As soon as I realized Colt had followed me down thinking I was headed for a night out, I should’ve made a retreat. But… one of them was on the verge of beating me down after Colt’s arrival distracted me and I couldn’t… it unleashed my bloodlust. Then you arrived and I saw it as the opportunity to finish the job and take them all with a powerhouse like you joining the fight, even with the element of surprise ruined and my original strategy fucked.”

“Hold up, you actually had a strategy?”

“I did. I know you’ve always thought I just barreled in there like an angel of vengeance. But, no, I had a meticulous plan laid out. I’d known those guys were there for days and I’d taken the time to prepare, and to even create backups for my backups.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me this?”

“Because I didn’t think it mattered, it failed anyway. And, honestly, you weren’t willing to listen, you’d made your judgments.”

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