Reed (Book 2, Southern Royals Saga)

Prologue

Brandon Reed, age 10

October 20, 2006

Helena, Alabama

"Brandon? Brandon, sweetheart?"

My aunt Liz sat next to me on the sofa as I stared at the T.V.

Aunt Liz always smelled of gingerbread, and just oozed warmth and kindness; I loved my Liz like a mother, the only mother I ever knew.

Noah, my cousin, his mama usually smelled of apple cider. She was married to my uncle Liam. Auntie Makenna was the pretty blonde in our family; Noah had blond hair, but he wasn't pretty.

My eyes don't leave the screen, seeing another episode of Danny Phantom was coming on. It was mine and Dad's favorite.

Dad. Where was my dad?

I turn my head and meet the warm brown eyes of my aunt Liz.

"Where's my dad?"

She draws in a deep breath, her eyes snapping from mine to the T.V.

"Is he comin' home soon?" I ask. Her gaze meets mine again.

"Sweetheart, we told you... He died."

I hadn't seen my dad in two whole days. Was he really dead?

"I know you're young, so you can't understand death all that well..." Liz trailed off.

Of course.

Of course, he was dead.

But I knew he didn't just die.

He was murdered. I know my dad had enemies, with his work.

He was the real king; I always knew what that meant.

He wasn't just a drug dealer.

He was the drug dealer, the top dog.

"Your daddy was a good man, Brandon, don't ever doubt that."

I didn't. He was a good man, a good father.

I'll never forget his voice, or how he used to read Goosebumps to me before bed, or when he'd take me with him on an "errand."

He was preparing me, I realized. Preparing me to take his place.

To become the king.

Could I be that? A drug dealer?

Did I have a choice?

"No, Anthony! You know damn well who did this!" I heard my uncle Liam's voice filter down the hall, into the living room

"Oh, get your head out of your ass! He played you and Ben like a fuckin' fiddle!"

Liam barrels down the hallway, Anthony hot on his trail.

"Liam-"

"No! Say his name... You won't because you already know."

"Do you really think now is the time to do this?" Liz snapped.

"You know it, too, Liz." Liam said, stalking towards Liz and me, "But Brandon don't."

"Liam," Anthony warned. Liam kneeled in front of me.

"Your pop was murdered, Brandon. In cold blood."

Liz pulled me up with her from the couch. "He doesn't need to hear this, Liam."

"He needs to know. Charles Walker killed Ben, and he's gonna kill all of us!" Liam stormed out of the house, slamming the door as he went.

"Who's Charles Walker?" I ask my aunt as she rushed me up the stairs to my bedroom. She sighs,

"No one you need to worry about, sweetheart."

"Did he kill Dad like Uncle Liam said?"

Liz looks down at me for a moment before sitting with me on my bed, my Danny Phantom bedspread under us.

Liz's brows furrowed, trying to find the right words.

"He- He..." She stuttered before huffing.

"Lizzie," Uncle Anthony entered my room, a glass of a light brown liquid in his hand, "Let me talk to him."

Liz nodded and kissed my forehead before leaving. Anthony sits his glass on my dresser, coming to sit beside me.

"You know our...life, son. This life that your father created. You know he had enemies," I nod, telling him to continue.

"Your father was sick,"

"Like Grandma Ellie?"

"Right. He heard voices...voices of people that weren't there, just like Grandma... Your father found that...a certain substance helped him go on with everyday life. He wanted to help other people in that way, too, because you know your father. He cared about people. Now, he knew the consequences of creating a high dollar life like trafficking."

"He had enemies," I state. Anthony nods, then sighs.

"Liam believes he knows who killed your father."

"Charles Walker."

Anthony nods slowly; sadly.

"It's quite a possibility, son." Anthony pauses, moving to kneel in front of me.

"Listen to the words I am saying, Brandon. Trust no one but your own." I saw regret in his gaze.

"Promise me you won't mistake the character in anyone. And never...never trust a Walker. I did, and it cost me my brother's life."

"So you think Charles killed him?"

"I believe a Walker did."

I look down at my lap.

A Walker killed my dad.

"Don't trust a Walker, okay? All it will do is bring you pain and regret. Don't be a wishful thinker like me."

I could never trust a Walker after what they've done!

They're my enemy.

I meet my uncle's regretful eyes.

I promise him and swear to never break it.

"I won't."