Page 1 of Tainted

Prologue

KENYON KEYES

“Who the fuck are these people?” I asked, joining my older brother, Kross, in the living room.

He threw his head back, using the alcohol in the glass as a sedative. After burying our father, Kross needed it.

“This is all, Mom, but he wouldn’t have objected anyway.”

Loriann was the sun, while Eric was a singular planet in her universe. He wouldn’t be happy about all these people in his house- including his siblings. But even in death, Loriann’s gravitational force still ran things.

“Soft as fuckin’ cotton,” I chuckled, watching Mom and Aunt Delores share a hug.

Across the room, Uncle Leonne conversed with a man I had never seen before. He wasn’t our biologicalUnclebut more Dad’s sibling than his own. From the expression on Kross’s face, it seemed he hadn’t either but was just as concerned. Their interaction wasn’t heated, but I knew Uncle Leonne well enough to know something was up. Then he strolled over to us, one hand in his pocket, with a face full of apprehension.

“Follow me out front. Someone wants to speak with you. Both of you,” Uncle Leonne’s hand patted my shoulder.

He led the way to the front door, but Mom’s broken voice stopped us at the threshold.

“Where are you going?”

“Smoke break and man-to-man conversation.” Wearing a smile, Unc pulled out a pack of cigarettes. “I know you don’t want me smoking in your house.”

“Absolutely not, but don’t go too far,” she insisted.

“We’ll be right back,” Uncle Leonne replied, but my silence was loud, not so much Kross because he was like Mom in that sense. I was a lot more outspoken like Pops, and the fact that my lips were sealed told her something was up.

Uncle Leonne opened the door before she could poke another hole in his story.

“You need to lay off them shits,” I explained, nodding toward the smokes in his hand.

“It’s plenty of things you need to lay off.” Uncle Leonne pulled the door open to a black truck, which illuminated the dark driveway. “Get in.”

Kross’s hand hit my chest, preventing me from climbing inside. “Where are we going?”

“Someone important wants to send their condolences.”

My mind trailed to the mystery man he was conversing with earlier. Kross and I shared another look. I followed, but he was right behind me. Neither of us knew what to expect, but he had my back, and I had his.

“Kross, right? And you must be Kenyon.” He smiled, extending a hand to each of us once the door shut.

“Who are you?” I asked, getting to the point.

“Javier. I’ve done business with your father and uncle for years. I’m sorry for your loss. Eric was truly one of a kind.” His tone was respectful but tinged with a hint of caution. “It was only right that I pay my condolences, plus your father’s death has left some unfinished business.”

“Continuing without my brother doesn’t feel right, but I don’t want our hard work to go in vain. He wouldn’t want that either,” Uncle Leonne announced, his voice heavy with nostalgia. “Kross is more than capable. He’s been our right hand for years.”

Javier pointed at me, “What about him?”

Kross's eyes darted to me, but I didn’t return the gesture. He always knew he was next in line as the oldest son. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my engineering degree, but it wasn’t taking over the family business.

Uncle Leonne glared at me, threatening to remain quiet, “To be determined.”

“So, you boys think you can fill your father's shoes?” he asked, disregarding Unc’s response.

“Last time I checked, there weren’t anyboyshere,” I groaned.

“Like Unc said. If you knew our father as well as you say, you’d know he prepared me well,” Kross explained.

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