Page 85 of Long Live the King

“Yes.”

“Verra interesting, if I married her… when the son is born he would be mine… Ye say she is fine stock?”

“She comes from a fine family. She was a soldier.”

“Ha!” I looked at the photo shaking my head. “The sons of Donnan are so predictable, everything is about battle and strength. While they are fortressing their lands, thinking about their bloodline, they daena even see me coming.”

“Yes, you’re growing in power.”

“What does that mean?Growingin power? Iamall-powerful. I own all the land. And I alreadyama king.”

“I only meant from when you started to now.”

“You speak of me as if I am not the largest landowner in the history of the world. ‘Growing’? Do ye think I am a child?”

He shifted in his seat. “That’s not what I said, I?—”

“So my son would be a descendant of Donnan?—”

“Step-son.”

I raised my brow. “If I disappear everyone who knows, then…who wouldknow?”

He gulped.

“I claim him as my son, and then we take over the future, he is installed. Nae one can complain because he’s a descendant of Donnan, but he is my son, he ushers inmyEmpire. Verra interesting idea, Bernard, ye hae come verra close tae makin’ yerself useful. Ye hae a plan for acquiring her?”

“I’ll hire the same security we used for the Dubai vault.”

“Good, they were precise and kept it verra quiet.” I looked out the window at the sky and asked, “Do you think he has noticed — I am not ready tor him tae notice yet.”

“Who?”

“Magnus. I am so close. I plan tae take his crown,thenhe can notice when it is too late tae stop me.”

“I can not tell if he’s noticed or not... we have been very cautious, I don’t see how he could...” He was squirming again. He added, “I think if you decide to take Ash McNeil, you would have a son, your power would...”

“There ye go again — ye want tae saygrow,daena ye, Bernard?”

“I simply mean, with caution, he will notice you once you haveallthe power.”

“Good, good. I agree. Just not too soon. Bring her here, I’ll set her up at the brewery in Fortingall.”

“Excellent plan, hidden away in the thirteenth century, he would never find her even if he started to look. Will you meet her there?”

“I will visit, make her acquaintance, but I canna imagine why I would live there. I hate that century... but I will make certain she has what she needs while we will wait for the bairn tae be born.”

CHAPTER 35 - ASH

DOWNTOWN FERNANDINA BEACH

Don walked me to my car, parked at the end of the block. He was nervous, kept checking around. He mumbled, “You’re gonna call her? Or should I call her?”

“I promise, as soon as I get home.”

“Cool.”

I unlocked my car and climbed in. He closed the door and tapped the roof. Then rolled his hand.

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