Stone Cold K*ller

chapter 49

Nicolai Stone

"Aaaaageggeh! Bastard!" Julian crys in outrage, fists up in the air and knees bent as his head looks up to the ceiling. "Listen hear, old man! You dare challenge me!? ME!?" He seethes, eyes glaring my way.

I merely said he should go for the corner ball instead of the obvious hit because it will pocket.

I give him a flat look in return, "don't be stupid."

Julian is like a fuse, give it more fire it will eventually set ablaze. I wanted to show his true skills eventually but who knew he sucked at playing a game of pool.

Julian tenses, shoulders tighten before he slowly turns his face to me, "what did you say? Eh?" He tries but fails to look intimidating but I like this side of him, hard to imagine this brat lived this long with a hot head like this.

Shina takes the pool stick and hits a counter play, getting two balls in a pocket. "Such a small shrimp getting bested by his long lost Uncle. Sad." She comments.

Dimitri chuckles which earns a glare from Julian. He points a finger his way, "see if you can out match me in a dual. I will personally cap your ass!"

Dimitri stops chuckling and sets his eyes back to my nephew, "sounds like someone needs a nap, you little brat--"

"Enough." I say.

Thankfully, they all shut up.

I grab my cane and walk over to the door, "I'll be gone for awhile. Make sure Sienna eats after her training with Casp." Before leaving the pool hall.

My head hasn't been in the game, nor in reality, not when so much is on my mind lately.  Maybe because when all is said and done, I truly believe there is no other way. I've spent countless hours and sleepless nights concocting a plan but everything fell flat and risky.

I remember I thought that this would have to be enough--but it's not to my utter confidence.  Everything is already at play--only person in on my plans is Caspian. I didn't even tell my trusted men, Don and Dimitri. 

I've been tormented beyond my own delimma.  My own schemes and ways.

My moral ground is shot to hell but this is the only way to go about it. For my wife's sake, for everyone's sake.

It should be how it goes, and my heart breaks knowing---

I may be not apart of it.

I believe in this team I built, believe they can fight, especially Sienna. When the time comes I will tell her, but right now she is not ready. Not yet.

I walk outside and head to the south barracks where my soldiers rest and open the door. They all are shouting and hooting as if it was a party, until they see me they all halt and straighten up as if nothing was to be witnessed seconds ago.

I sigh thinking about how when I was just a young man wanting to build a strong Empire life--but now?

The only life I want is one that has her in it, even if it means forfeiting what I've made over the years. My father's words used to be my burden but now it's my reason to change. His words that he had told me when I was little that this is a made man's world.

It is not. Because I will not be in it after its all said and done.

I've already accepted my path.

The only thing I will regret from it is Sienna  will see that her promise to me about fighting will soon be one sided.

"This will be an official gag order. If any shall speak of what I'm about to tell you will be punished by death. Any word comes out of these barracks will soon meet their end. Am I clear?" I boast.

"Sir, yes, sir!" They shout simultaneously.

After the barracks I go to my mother's grave before messaging Caspian to meet me here. He should be finished with training with Sienna. I know for a fact she knows something is up, I can see it in her eyes when she looks at me. My darling never misses a thing.

"She is on to you. She kept asking me questions of whats going on and why it seems your hiding something. She heard me  after the meeting when she left." Caspian announces from behind me while I stare down at mothers headstone.

I grin, "trust that you straightened her out. Kept her occupied. "

Caspian chuckles, "she has my blood, a true fighter in her. She just needs more time. We've been maneuvering with wooden knives and taking combative moves."

Pride swells in me but then my mind wonders into a state of overthinking. Damn, I never lose sight of my control but today, it is staggering.

Caspian lands a hand on my shoulder, "don't think this will ruin what's between you and her. I have faith in her--"

I slap his hand away and turn on him, eyes blazing, "you think I don't? I would gladly do anything for Sienna, anything! I'd give up everything as she would with me! I'm not second guessing...I'm not backing out..."

Caspian nods, eyes searching mine, "then why does it look like you've already lost the game?"

I'm sick and tired of it being called a game. I've been calling it as such far to long.

This isn't a game anymore.

This is a cruel joke!

Fuck, am I fixing to cry? God fucking dammit!

I grip the colar of Casps shirt and pull his face close to mine, baring my teeth as I feel a single tear fall down my cheek, "my entire life I have built this Empire, it is my bloodright, my only reasons of living! How can you not see that I and only I can decide either to throw that all away or carry it till the bitter end!" My voice becomes harsher, "so you think I look like I've already lost? I have! I will be the one to lose EVERYTHING!"

I seen it coming from a mile away but I let it happen anyway, I need it.

Caspian punches me in the face having me let go of him and stagger backward before I straighten back up. I sniff and spit the blood out of my mouth.

For a moment there is silence between us before he finally speaks up, "you think Sienna won't forgive you? Because of what your planning and have already in motion? That you will be---"

I cut him off, "I'm a good trickster. But that doesn't mean I'm a good actor."

"She will understand. Once you tell her--"

I shake my head and sigh deeply, " I've decided I'll tell her the night before the event. But in words that won't explain much. If she knows to much she will debunk the plan."

Caspian bows his head, "that's the best outcome then."

I look over to my mother's grave and frown, "I trust you will protect my wife. Do you remember that cabin, the one I mentioned--it's not on the map, it's secured out in the middle of nowhere."

"Si. I remember. "

I turn my back on him and start walking away, cane in hand, "good. Because when it's your time to make a move..." I look over my shoulder and meet his eyes, "make sure your knife meets its mark."

"It will."