Page 14 of A Mafia Christmas

He sighed when he saw all his bathroom things on the counter. He brushed his teeth and put the oil on his mustache and beard. They were both longer than he liked, but he didn’t care enough to trim them.

Alastair grabbed the bottle, and then opened the door. Graham stood by the door. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave unless you want me to stay?”

“I’m not ready.”

His brother nodded. “I plugged your phone in, and it’s sitting on the bedside table. Call if you need anything. We got most of your clothes and shoes in the closet, and there’s a tray of food on the table.”

Alastair looked around. “Thank you.”

“We’re here if you need us.”

Alastair watched his brother leave and then locked the door behind him. He walked over to the closet and was shocked to see so many clothes. He pulled on a pair of sweats and sat down next to the food. He ate until he felt like he would puke and then pushed the tray aside before he opened the bottle. He took a drink of the booze and relaxed back in the chair. He tried his best to keep his mind blank, but … that woman kept popping into it, and every time it happened, the pain would race through him.

He drank until the bottle was empty. He stood and grabbed the back of the chair to keep from taking a header and walked to the bed. He threw the covers back, slid in, and closed his eyes.

Alastair slept that night and all the next day. No one bothered him, which he appreciated. He called his brother later that day and asked for some whiskey. Graham didn’t say anything. He just brought it to him with another tray of food.

Graham put the tray down and handed him the bottle. “Can I get you anything else?”

Alastair opened the bottle and took a long drink. “No.”

“Dad wants to talk to you.”

God, he dreaded talking to him because he knew he’d be on Beth’s side. His father loved her so much, and the fact that she was pregnant with his first grandchild would make it even worse.

“Tell him to give me a few more days.”

“I can do that,” Graham said. “Call when you need anything.”

“I will. Thank you.”

Graham left. Alastair stayed in the chair until the room was dark. He drank most of the bottle and thought it would be enough to sleep, so he walked to the bed and passed out. It was his routine for the next several days.

Alastair lost track of the days. He was shocked when Graham told him ten days had passed.

He woke up the next morning with energy and a purpose. He wanted to get his life back on track, so he showered and dressed. He dialed his brother.

“I’ll be in my office today. Stop by when you get a chance, and we’ll go over the things that need to be done and what I’ve missed.”

“You got it. I’m glad you’re back,” Graham said.

“I am, too. I’m going to talk to Dad and then be down.”

“See you soon.”

Chapter Seven

Alastair stood outside his father’s room and straightened his tie before knocking.

“Come in.”

He opened the door and could tell his father was shocked to see him.

“Ah, there’s my handsome son. You look terrible. Do you need anything from anyone?”

Alastair stayed by the door and shook his head. “No. I’m going to be in my office today.”

Angus nodded. “Good.” The older man studied him. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”

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