At home, I stand in front of the glass chess board and stare down at the black King piece.
Dad always liked playing in black and I picked up the habit since he taught me how to play.
On my way out of Lord Clifford’s house, I stood outside, looking at all the windows, hoping Astrid would peek out from one of them.
She didn’t.
“I’m so sorry, Father,” I tell the king piece.
I chose the future over the past, but I lost both of them.
“Look who’s graced us with his presence.”
My shoulders droop as Uncle sits on the white King’s side. He must’ve just returned from an all-nighter in the office. Or two nights judging from his unshaven face and his missing tie and jacket.
“Care for a game?” he asks.
I sit down and re-arrange Aiden’s last game against himself.
Uncle reaches behind him and pours us two glasses of cognac.
I raise an eyebrow when he offers me one. “What did I do to receive a drink from Jonathan King himself?”
He clincks my glass. “You were born a King.”
“I’m more of a vodka person myself, but well…”
He narrows his eyes. “Now I know where all those bottles disappeared to.”
I lift my shoulder and take my first swig. The bitter taste leaves a burn at the back of my throat. Placing my drink on the side, I push my first pawn forward, mimicking Uncle’s first move. It’s good to receive the news of my fall to hell while playing chess.
“I had a call from the deputy commissioner.”
Here we go.
“I’m guessing it’s not because I beat his son to pulp?”
“You did that?” He narrows his eyes on me, twirling his drink. “What did I say about violence?”
“It doesn’t solve anything.” I grin. “But it sure answers questions.”
He shakes his head. “You’re so much like James, it’s uncanny.”
“My father wasn’t a violent man.” After a few moves of my pawns, I push my knight forward.
“Sure was when he was a punk your age.”
Huh. Maybe Father and I are more alike than I thought.
“Did you hate him for that?” I ask.
“James was my oldest brother and only sibling. I never hated him.”
“But you were always breathing down his back.”
“Because he was slowly committing suicide with all those drugs and parties and whatnot.”
“Let me guess, you’ve been keeping me on a leash so I don’t grow up to be like him.”