Deception - In The Beginning (Book 5) - A Prequel

Chapter 1

Shivering slightly with the New York cold, he entered the old building.

Not really wanting this meeting, his thoughts warred with the need for more and understanding he'd had enough the first time around.

His grandfather was undeniably mad and yet, the invitation had come, instilling intrigue. Whatever the old bird wanted; the note promised he wouldn't be disappointed. It would make life easier, more money than he could or would ever want.

For Sebastian Black that was the ticket, craving wealth beyond all else, including his unwanted growing family. Being an illusionist provided him a decent living, but his criminal activities provided the income, but not near enough for what he wanted in life.

He was getting tired with the constant planning, organizing and keeping his crew in line. Now with the complication of the brat in the Ukraine Lydia had presented to him before returning to the States, made the decision to accept his grandfather's request for a meeting that much easier.

What was promised in innuendo suggested he could easily get rid of that part of his life, maybe with a pay-off.

Upon his return, matters worsened with the news his wife of two years was pregnant, almost full term. Recovering from the shock, he demanded an explanation. Marie was adamant it was his, it couldn't be anyone else. He wasn't prepared to be a father; it interfered with his overall plans; the child would have to be dealt with quickly. There was no way in hell he would be saddled with another mouth to feed.

Female companionship was never an issue; the show gave him plenty of opportunity. His criminal activities had provided the means to wine and dine any young women that he fancied and to this day, he still couldn't understand why he proposed and married Marie, it must have been temporary insanity, a lapse in judgement.

Before going on the last tour, the plan had been to divorce with a return to his carefree ways, the player, no commitment, never to be tied down. Now, he wasn't sure that opportunity even existed, somehow during his absence Marie had grown somewhat of a backbone and wouldn't be easy to convince or see reason that the marriage was a farce.

The mounted evidence of trophy hunts occupying the wall ascending the old staircase, seemed to follow him up. The stale, musty odor of years of history permeating his senses.

It was old, remnants of a bygone time, but the banister gleamed with a polished shine, the walls faded and spotless, showing confirmation of an organized, well-maintained household. However, to Sebastian it did nothing to give any sort of comfort, this house held secrets and always had, if his father was to be believed.

Straightening his jacket, pulling down his shirt cuffs and ensuring his tie was in the proper place; he smoothed back his hair and took a deep breath, knocked and entered. Alistair had obviously changed his office into a Library, evidenced by the abundance of books of every shape and size lining the walls in handcrafted oak bookcases.

Other than that, the room hadn't changed much, maybe a few more old dusty knickknacks, the curtains drawn, with subdued lighting coming from the banked fire and an old, antique tiffany lamp which replaced the ancient candlesticks Alistair previously favored. Everything arranged in a precise geometrical layout, an ebony and weathered oak desk centered on the outdated Persian green carpet under the huge window. If the curtains were ever drawn it would have provided a view taking in the steaming streets of New York, the upper east side.

Alistair Black was writing furiously, hunched over his leather journal; it was something Sebastian remembered from his previous residency. It was a relic of all the Black men, those journals. He was presented with the same volume at his sixteenth birthday – it didn't suit him and if his recall was correct, it still lay unused somewhere among his belongings.