Reed (Book 2, Southern Royals Saga)

Chapter 5: 25 Years Tomorrow

September 11, 2014

Helena, Alabama

"Oh, Lizzie. I missed you." My uncles returned from Tijuana this afternoon.

Liam wasted no time with hellos or goodbyes. He was a dick; always will be. Noah's nothing like him.

Ahh, Noah.

He's the key to my plan.

My awfully deceitful plan.

"Look, all you need to do is get Abby Walker to go on a date with you."

"That's it?" Noah was always skeptical, no matter who came up with the plan.

"Yes, Royce and I will do the rest. When all's said and done, your hands will still be clean."

"Brandon, my boy." Anthony patted my shoulder, "Coulda used you down there."

"Of course, I'm a pro." I joked, patting his back. Anthony smiled a bright, but tired smile.

"That you are. One day, you'll lead this family, be the King your dad was."

"All I need is a Queen, right?"

I know who I wanted my queen to be.

"Your dad never needed one."

Yeah. Dad never looked at another woman after my mother. Anthony said I was Dad's only priority.

"We need to talk," I say after a moment.

Anthony's smile faded at my grim tone.

"What's wrong?" He wraps his arm around Liz's shoulder.

"Nothing wrong, per se... Let's sit."

"I'll fix lunch, alright?" Liz kissed her husband's cheek and gave me a small smile. She knows the business I have with my uncle.

We sit. Anthony in his armchair and me at the end of the couch. My uncle relaxed, placing one of his tan-khaki clad legs over the other, "Go on, son."

"Somethin' happened while you were gone. Long story short, I won't be leavin' for Duke on Saturday. Instead, I'll be in Selma."

Anthony stared at me blankly, "What are you talking about, Brandon?"

"You had to know this would happen someday."

"What happened?"

"There was a party last Sunday."

"And?"

"I saw some kids from Selma there."

"Oh Brandon," Anthony breathed out in relief, "those rules are moot now."

Confused, I ask him why.

He smirks, "You can ask your uncle Liam about that one."

I shake my head, "Ok, never mind. The point is... I saw her."

"Who?"

"Liv Walker."

The room fell silent at her name, the only sounds coming from the air conditioner.

Anthony caressed his temple, "Forget about her, Brandon."

My uncle shot up from his chair, "That girl is trouble."

"You don't even know her," I argue, following Anthony down the hall to his study.

"No, but I know her family. Will's a self-righteous bastard, and his brothers are brainless robots, doing whatever Will tells them to."

"Liv is just a girl."

"Exactly, meaning she's easier to manipulate," Anthony grabbed a glass from his cabinet, pouring himself some scotch.

I pause, not to reflect, but to process my next words.

Nothing he said would change my mind.

"I love her."

"Love? After one night?!" Anthony exclaimed, incredulously.

"For six years, Liv has been on my mind. I saw her in every girl I was with, whether it be brown hair, soft skin, or a simple smile. I love her."

My uncle sighed, taking a swig of his drink.

"Son, you are 18 years old, you have no clue what love is. What it truly is."

"What 'bout you? How old were you when you fell for Liz?"

Anthony hesitates, "That's irrelevant."

"How old?!"

"I was sixteen," he admits quietly, hoping I wouldn't hear him.

"And how long have you been married?"

"Still irrelevant."

"Just...answer the question."

"25 years tomorrow." Liz said from the doorway, breaking into our argument, "Anthony, you remember what first love is like?" She stands between us.

"That's not the point, honey. This girl is the enemy."

"She's not!" I burst, my temper flaring up, "She's good-,"

"You're in lust! Liz, tell him I'm right."

Liz paused, looking from her husband to me.

"All we know of this girl is her last name. A last name doesn't define you. It's just the luck of a draw."

Anthony scoffs, finishing his drink.

After a moment of silence between the three of us, I decide to speak up.

"Saturday night I'm gonna be in Selma with Royce and his men. I'm going to make Liv understand, setting everything else aside."

"Just be careful is all I ask," Liz said before leaving the room.

"I will." I promised, "Anthony?"

"I hope you know what you're getting into. Reed men don't tend to love lightly, and I'm not sure a Walker girl could handle that."

"She wants me. The way she kissed me; you can't fake that."

"This will start a war."

I shake my head, "This war started when my father took his last breath, and you know it." Anthony bobbed his head.

Did a Walker kill him? Most certainly.

It could've been anyone of the Walker brothers, including Charles.

Was I really in love with his daughter?

Without a doubt.