“That’s where you’re wrong. We need your princess to make some good decisions.”
Majjie leans her head on his shoulder. Only briefly, too brief. If I was asked whether I thought she would lie about being pregnant, I’d say yes.
“Tell me about these decisions.”
It’s worth humouring him.
“She’s going to be approached about an alliance with Norway. Just like her brother. It would be in her interests to agree to what’s suggested. Not like her brother.” Alek moves his hands away from Majjie and moves closer to me.
It becomes clear what happened when Lennox died.
“I like how you think I have any influence over her politics at all. I’m just the hired muscle.”
“We both know that’s not true, Ben.” Majjie grips my wrist, tighter than she needs to be reassuring.
There’s nothing reassuring about this.
“We know you’re fucking her. For all you know, she could be having my child’s cousin. That’d be something, wouldn’t it?” Alek smiles and I remember how his brother looked just before I snapped his neck.
I haven’t thought about Blair pregnant. My future isn’t something I think about because I don’t know if I have one. Never knowing when a bullet has your name on it doesn’t really encourage you to lay plans for the next decade. Or even buy a house plant.
“What I’m hearing is that Scotland will have an offer to come under Norway’s control. And if Blair isn’t amenable then she’ll be assassinated.”
Every muscle and sinew in my legs is tense. I want to hold on to the table or grab hold of Alek’s neck and snap it now, but common sense tells me that’s not going to happen.
“Pretty much.”
“Are you claiming responsibility for her brother’s death?”
“I think lots of people would. You have the killer though, don’t you? I believe he has mental health problems.” Alek smiles and sits back.
“He does. But thank you for the information you’ve given me. I’m sorry though, I have no influence over policy.”
“She knows you have a sister though? And soon she’ll know you have a pregnant sister. Something to talk about in bed after you’ve fucked her, maybe. I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t want anything to happen to your pregnant sister. Or your father. And you don’t want anything to happen to her, so I think we know you understand what we’re asking. Especially given that if we can find you here, we can find you – and Blair – anywhere.”
I’ve watched Alek all the way until he stops speaking. When he ends his little speech and looks about the room to check he hasn’t been overheard, I glance at Majjie.
She’s pale, even under the Barbadian tan, and when she looks at me, I can tell she’s not acting.
My sister has just become bait and this time she’s not faking it.
“I’ll see what I can do.” I stand up.
Majjie’s expression relaxes. “Thank you, Ben. I’ll be in touch with Dad in a couple of weeks.”
She stands up and moves so she can hug me. It’s the first time in years, forever maybe.
“What the fuck have you gotten yourself into?” I whisper the words when I’m close enough.
“I know what I’m doing. Just don’t let me down.”
I step away, Alek’s eyes on me, assessing, but I give him nothing to read.
I’m not sure what’s left.
* * *
My aunt lives in the same house as she did when I lived with her during term time. The garden is well kept, tidied, with autumnal tubs set either side of the well-laid path.
