* * *
“Do you know what happened?”
I stop at the foot of the stairs and smooth my RES’s jacket. And by smooth, I mean, unbuttoning the shit out of it and making myself look like the school’s charity case.
The sound of Uncle’s voice puts me in a sullen mood. Shouldn’t he be already out to ruin some lives?
“Tell me, Aiden.”
“Yeah, tell him, Cousin.” I breeze into the kitchen and straight to the refrigerator, not sparing either of them a glance.
“Morning to you as well, punk.” Uncle shoots the words like rapid fire.
I grab a bottle of milk and don’t bother with a glass as I gulp half of it down. The cold liquid soothes my throat after drinking last night.
We have a dining room down the hall, but we don’t bother using it for meals. It’s only a place for Uncle’s gatherings where he can show off his wealth.
Once I swallow, I wipe the side of my mouth and lean against the marble counter, facing Jonathan and Aiden. They sit side by side at the kitchen bar.
Looks-wise, Aiden is a carbon copy of his father. He shares his jet black hair and the emotionless dark grey eyes — the King’s signature. Mine came out light and wrong because of Mum’s genes.
A chessboard sits between them made of crystal glass and black stones. Only a few moves were made. They’re probably picking up an old game. Jonathan and Aiden take weeks to finish a chess game.
Normal families speak about their day. Ours is all about fucking each other over in a chessboard war.
“So what are we talking about this morning?” I tilt my head. “Aside from the usual banter of screwing my life, I mean.”
Jonathan pushes the plate of scones away as if my mere presence spoilt his food. “You’re screwing your own life. If you choose to be nothing, you’ll be nothing, Levi. How about you be something different for a change?”
“Do say what something means in your definition, Jonathan. Spoiler alert. If that includes following your steps, then I’ll pass.”
“You’ll lose the attitude in front of me.” His eyes darken and so does his voice. “I raised you when your mother threw you at your father’s feet. I continued to raise you when your father couldn’t.”
My grip tightens around the bottle of milk until it almost cracks. Still, I keep the carefree tone. “If by raising me, you mean, you spent money on me, then no thanks to you. My father was a King, too.”
“A useless one at that.” Jonathan deadpans as if he’s talking about a pet he disliked instead of his flesh and blood. “This family doesn’t need worthless members. If you use the King’s name, then give back what you use.”
“Such as?” I tilt my head.
He mirrors the gesture. “Study at Oxford.”
“Pass,” I say as nonchalantly as I can and take another swig of milk.
Aiden shakes his head, shooting me a disapproving glance, then he goes back to cutting and eating his bacon as if he’s all alone in the kitchen.
Screw him and his father.
Jonathan stands and buttons his pressed, dark blue jacket. “Our deal still stands, Levi. If you screw up one more time, your trust fund will be suspended until you’re twenty-five — as per your father’s will.”
“A will you forced him to write.”
“You’re lucky I had him leave you something in his state. Do you think he cared about you or your future?” He pauses for a beat.
Another intimidation method that he taught us. Silence always gets you what you want, he used to say. People are always compelled to fill the silence and it can be used to your advantage.
“Having me as your guardian is the best thing that happened in your life, punk. You’ll bend to me.”
I meet his harsh stare with my own. “A king doesn’t bend.”