Page 111 of King of Knights

“You remember that time we had that fancy dinner at the docks?” He chuckles to himself. “I couldn’t get away and you were looking forward to our dinner date, so I had the boys put it together for me.

“Boy, did they give me shit for that, but I’d do it again to see that smile on your face.” He chuckles. “That was one of those times when I thought I was doing this father thing right. This thing of ours didn’t mean more than you then.

“It doesn’t mean more than you now. What do you say? Have dinner with your old man?”

“Okay, Daddy. When?”

“That’s my Ray. I’ll send a car for you tomorrow evening.”

Dinner

“You only want to talk to her, right?” I say to the bishop.

“Only a simple conversation. Once she tells me what I need to know, I’ll allow you both to go. I only need the child and the daughter who carries him.

“You say that isn’t this one, so we’ll be on our way as soon as I locate the one I’m looking for,” he replies.

“So none of that head shit you did to me?” I ask to clarify.

“I will only get the information I need. Nothing more.”

“Good, good.” I nod.

I keep to myself that he can’t be looking for any of my girls. We were told to keep them virgins. I got confirmation that the other two were still pure, like Ray and Charlie, before they disappeared.

Unless by Immaculate Conception, he ain’t looking for none of my girls. It’s the only reason I agreed to arrange this meeting.

I look around the warehouse, taking in all the work the fellas have done for me. I really wanted to do something nice for Ray. I was telling the truth when I said I’ve been reminiscing about the old days.

She was such a cute kid and always had a smile for me. When Sofia left me, Ray was all I had. I’ve often wondered about her sisters.

I got to know Charlie some, but she’s never really wanted anything to do with me. I’ve always been a disposable uncle to her. The kid has had an attitude a mile long since day one.

“You ever regret not having kids? I mean, as a man of the cloth and all, do you feel like you missed out?” I ask the bishop as he sits across from me at the table where I’ll be having dinner with Ray.

He scoffs in disgust. “I serve a higher power. Such things are mundane to me. My hunters have become my children. They serve their purpose and I serve mine,” he says dryly.

“Sometimes, I wish I did things differently. You know—”

“Please spare me the confession,” he cuts me off. “I really don’t care and there is no absolution waiting for you. I have no penance to offer your conscience. So please, do me the favor of shutting the hell up.”

I frown and sit back in my seat. I hate this cocksucker. It will serve him right when he doesn’t find a child, and Ray can’t tell him how to find the others.

As I stew while we wait, he stands and taps the table. I look up into his cold blue eyes. There’s something sinister about his expression.

“It’s showtime. Here she comes. Don’t disappoint me, Ricci. I’ve waited a long time to complete my missions. It’s all finally falling into place. Do not screw this up.” He gives me a smile that looks all sorts of wrong. “Remember, your life is depending on it.”

As if back in that church, I can feel the bite of the cool blade against the back of my neck, but there’s no sword, and no one’s holding it against me. I shake the feeling off and focus on the doors as they are rolled back and the car with my little girl rolls in.

* * *

Ray

“This doesn’t feel right,”Venus says as the car pulls into the warehouse.“You should have told Kendrick where you were going. I don’t like this.”

“I wanted to tell him, but he was busy all morning, and then he left for his meeting. I’m only going to have dinner with my father. Kendrick says he never wants me to feel like a prisoner. This shouldn’t be a problem.”

“I don’t trust your father. There, I said it. This isn’t a good idea and I’m not at top strength to help you.”

---