Page 82 of Long Live the King

“What?”

“Remember I told you he got in an SUV? It was big and black, and nice and shiny, you know the kind — he got in the back.”

I stood blinking.

He said, “Think about it, Ash, he wasdrivenhere. Then driven away. He paid for his beer in cash. He has a driver. Like he was in themob.”

“So he was rich?—”

“He for sure wasn’t a friend of Buck’s, I doubt Buck could afford to pay him. That theory makes no sense. Think about it, if Buck was going to threaten someone, what would the criminal he hired look like? A criminal. Like a motorcycle club member, right? Rough and sinister. This guy’s clothes were expensive, his hair trimmed, he was creepy but on a whole different level.”

“Good point.”

“I just think you ought to call Katie, she’s Lochie’s sister, she gave you her number, if sheisin the mob, and that guy is here looking for her husband and Lochie and… she needs to know. That’s how it works, right?”

“I agree, I’ll call her as soon as I’m off tonight, but… how do you know how the mob works?”

He said, earnestly, “Movies, and speaking of movies, you drive here? I ought to walk you out.”

“Man, you are completely rattled.”

“Yeah, you didn’t see the look in his eyes, that dude was serious trouble.”

“I drove, you can walk me to my car.”

“Good.”

CHAPTER 33 - MAGNUS

Lochinvar sat on a chair across from me and sighed. He looked tense, leaned forward on his knees.

I said, “What are ye upset about? I just wanted tae discuss something.”

“If this is more lecturin’ I daena want tae hear it. All ye auld men hae done is lecture me: I am too young tae ken what I am doin’, I am too dim tae understand Ash, I am too ancient tae ken how she thinks. I hae become weary of it.”

I nodded. “Aye, ye are correct Lochinvar, there has been a great deal of it. I balk at ye callin’ me auld, I feel certain I am just past thirty, but how can I keep track? There is nae way tae ken, and in what truly matters, my experience, ye are correct, I might as well be as auld as the hills. I hae lived many lifetimes.”

“Daena mean ye ken all there is, ye arna always right.”

“Tis true, and a bit of humility would do me good. On the other hand, I am a king, sometimes king’s get tae lecture.” I tapped the document case beside me, “Sometimes kings must give speeches their mother has written for them.”

“So ye lecture me because yer mother lectures ye?”

“Aye, but this is an excuse, I am chagrined by yer accusation. We, the family, just want ye tae do well, we want ye tae win the lass, because we like ye, we want the best for ye.”

“I ken. I am simply weary of it. And I tell ye, she is mine, I am nae wrong on it.”

“Good.” I leaned forward and opened and closed m’mouth.

He chuckled. “Out with it, I am listening.”

“I just want… ye ken, this life is verra dangerous. The path ahead of ye is one of violence and war, ye are m’sword, ye hae already risked yer life for m’crown, ye… ye hae pledged that ye will help maintain my throne. There is a life of uncertainty ahead of ye. And taking a wife might keep ye warm at night, but ye will hae tae consider her safety. Ye will be pulled in many different ways, tryin’ tae live up tae m’demands, while keepin’ her safe… I hae been there, for long years I was m’mother’s sword, then m’father’s champion, and all the while I wanted tae keep Kaitlyn safe. Twas verra difficult, but I was driven because twas m’own throne, I had tae win it for m’son.” I shook my head. “Takin’ a wife, ye will likely hae sons, sons who ye will want tae protect, a wife ye will want tae keep safe, all while fightin’ alongside me formythrone. I am simply wondering if ye hae thought it through?”

He nodded, quietly. “Aye, Magnus, I hae thought it through. I am yer brother, I…”

I said, “Tis often brothers who are the most dangerous tae a crown. Especially brothers who hae a family, who see themselves as worthy, who are capable of violence tae gain it.”

“Ye are describin’ a man verra different from m’self, Magnus.”

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