Lauchtenland had been through a few skirmishes in the past three years.Rogue operators had infiltrated and stirred up trouble, hoping to start a war.Prince John’s adopted daughter, Princess Imani, had been in danger as well as his wife, Princess Gemma.The whole mess read like a blooming Jack Reacher novel.
“You can have your choice of assignments,” Gunner said, giving a rousing shout as the Cross lads scored another goal.“The incident will remain confidential.We don’t want to inspire copycats or members of the Renaissance Coalition.”Gunner glanced at Michael.“So, what’s your pleasure, Mick?Where do you want to serve?”As he spoke, the April clouds suddenly darkened and dusted the stands and pitch with a soft snow.Gunner shook his fist at the heavens.“It’s spring, you brass monkeys.”
“I rather like the dark room with all the tellies,” Michael said.The atmosphere mirrored the shadows of his life.“I’ve been running emergency protocols and perfecting escape routes.Did you read my notes on improvements?”
“Already submitted them to the maintenance yeoman.And you’re not staying in the dungeon.I only asked where you wanted to serve as a courtesy.Report to the squad Monday morning.”
“Yes, sir.”It was back to Her Majesty’s Security Detail.Michael finished his coffee, crushed the cup, then rose up, tossing it at the bin.It hit the lip before bouncing in.
“One more thing.”Gunner cleared his throat.“You good with, um, everything?The shoot.Purnell.”
“By ‘good,’ do you mean I get out of bed every morning?Yes.”
“The shoot was a clean, Mick.You acted in accordance with your training.But if you need to talk to someone, I can—”
“I’m good with the shoot, Gunner.Though I never like aiming my weapon, much less discharging it.”
“And Purnell?”Gunner gave Michael a single solid pat on the shoulder.
“I’m good with her too.”Almost.Getting there.
Last year had been one of those years—a year a man might have leapt over if he’d known what was coming.Yet what would he change?To strip away the ugly, painful moments meant losing the lovely, sweet, beautiful ones as well.And it was those memories, shining through the cracks, that carried him on the hardest days.
Ignoring the spring snow, the lads played on.Gunner stayed for the final minutes, which Michael found oddly comforting.The Cross PF Youth Football League bested the Clemency Park boys three to nil.
Down on the pitch, Michael congratulated the coaches—his brother Evan and his longtime mate Piers Hollings, also known as the Lord Atterbery.
Two years younger, Evan was the good son.At least to Mum.A former lawyer and advisor to the Crown on Supreme Court matters, he’d recently accepted a position at theotherfamily business, Pratt Printing, which was also theotherancient family that formed Michael’s bones.Evan headed up their legal department, overseeing the business in forty countries.
Between the Cross family, one of duty and devotion to the Crown, and the Pratt family, a heritage of entrepreneurship and business, Michael wondered if he’d ever be at peace about the direction of his life.
“Did you see me, Uncle Mick?”Phinneas knocked him back with a running hug.“I kicked it like you said.It worked, it worked, I made a goal.”
“Excellent kick.I never doubted you.”Michael hugged him close.He’d always wanted a family of his own but—
“Are you coming over?”Finn asked, taking his gear from his dad, who reminded him to pack it up the next time.“Mum’s making hamburgers and hot dogs, crisps, and ice cream.”
“I’ll be there straightaway.”He’d not planned on joining the family, but the look in Finn’s eyes defied anything but a yes.
While Finn dashed off with one of his mates, Michael helped Evan carry the sporting gear to his motor.“The kids love when you come round.You know that, right?Mindy and Linus love seeing you.”Evan popped open the boot.“By the way, Tracy insists you come for dinner.We’ve seen you once since Christmas.At Easter dinner.I get it.Being a member of HMSD requires a lot of time, but we miss you when you don’t darken our door.Also, fair warning, Trace thinks you’re hiding because of what happened with Purnell.”
“I’m not hiding.”No matter how tempting.
“Then come to dinner.Here’s a second fair warning.Mum will be there.”
“Oh, blimey, I think I have a pressing engagement elsewhere.”
“Very funny.I know Mum comes at you hard about joining Pratt Printing, but you need to figure a way to get on with her.”Evan closed the boot and called for Finn.“I saw Gunner Ferguson in the stands.What did he want?”
“Nothing.”Evan knew a wee bit about the events in Brighton Kingdom but only that Michael prevented an incident.“Merely gabbing about future assignments.”
Piers came along and clapped Michael on the back.“Why aren’t you on the sideline with us?I need you, my star footballer friend.”
“Too busy.I shan’t commit only to back out.”
“Then come when you can.You love the sport.You love the kids.You coach from the stands whenever you’re here.”Piers tossed his keys to his son.“Marcus, let yourself into the motor.”
“Believe me, I would if I could, but I live a life that takes me elsewhere.”
