Page 52 of Destroyer

“He means Romanians,” I correct kindly.

“Ah. He is asking why we not want my grandfather getting control of so much English soil?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know Nico?”

“The Russians would not be pleased. They are between the Slayer and the Turnbridge. They are good with us because of Gavriil, but they see us surrounding them, they will not like.”

“Nico understands,” Knox nods. “Balen will push to join the families and put us at war with everyone in between. All so two very rich men can make a bit more money.”

“Carter has heard about this or worked it out for himself. He called Nico because he doesn't want to be replaced when this goes ahead. He's realised that Gregory is down here getting pally with Nico and Edward.” Why do rich people always want more money?

“I have one phone call. No. I need two. I can sort all this out.” Nico gives an innocent shrug.

“Nico, when you sort things out, people die.”

“Four men.” The boy shrugs again. “How many die if this all happens?”

It's a shame to think of it like that. Nico is proposing to take out four men. Edward Thayer, Carter Turnbridge, Andrei Balen and the leader of the Russians. Four big important men who would be missed if they vanished. But how many of our young drug runners would be lost if the Russians turned on us, or the more likely case of us turning on them. It would be the young ones Nico's age, working just to pay their next food bill, who would suffer. Not the millionaires on their thrones.

“I appreciate your idea Nico, but I'll see if we can come up with something less murderous first,” Knox suggests. While I agree with Knox, I know we will go with Nico's plan in the end. Knox needs to come to terms with the idea of murdering his father first.

“Porter, show them up to the guest room. I'll arrange for someone to collect the bags from the car. Gladys will make an early dinner.”

“Would you like to go swimming once you're settled?” Porter grins. The poor man has no idea what is going on, or why it is so bad, and I would do anything to give Nico that kind of innocence.

“Mr Boss Man-” Nico begins.

“Please, Nico, call me Knox.”

“Oh…”

“Knox, he still calls me Mr!” I chuckle.

“I like calling you Daddy.” Nico blushes, dropping his head.

“You have a daddy, an uncle and many brothers,” Porter grins. “We definitely need to go swimming while they do all the grown-up stuff.”

“Uncle K-nox.” Nico is probably the only person I've ever heard who pronounces the k in Knox. “Please you stop paying me. Not do people leave the family, but I'd like to stay home like Porter.”

“I never paid you for the work you did. It was just money to ease my guilt over everything.”

“Not a reason to feel guilty now. I need Daddy to stop also. No one pay me anything.”

“Nico?” His breath is increasing, rapid and shallow.

“Can money be sent back? Not am I needing millions from my grandfather. All my life in a hole I have lived, and now is everyone giving me money. Not do I want it.”

“Forget the money, Baby. It doesn't mean anything.” I pull him into me for a hug. “Now go and play in the pool and be a good boy for Daddy.”

Nico's smile as relief fills him is worth any embarrassment that could come from Knox hearing me called Daddy.

“You two are adorable together.” Knox reassures me as Nico trots out of the room with Porter. “I didn't think it would be possible to house train that little brat.”

“He is a demon, but he is my demon.”

“Letting him kill would undo all of this.” Knox's reason for hesitating takes on a new meaning now. He looks on Nico as a brother or son. A real dad, not the fucked-up version I seem to have become. There is nothing parental about my role in the boy's life.

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