Page 75 of Beastly Armory
“I’m right here, lion.” Livia enters from the basement door. Her little hand slides across my back, and I wrap anarm around her, kissing the top of her head. Her skin and hair are damp.
“You’ve been dancing?” She nods, then lifts onto her toes to suction her lips to mine.
“Good.” We set up a studio area just for her practice. It’s not finished yet, but it’ll get there. Sometimes I sit in the corner and watch in awe at the way her body moves. But, of course, that doesn’t last long before I take her against the barre.
“I’ll meet her with you. Let me just clean up real quick. Ari, can I borrow your face wash?” She grabs my sister by the hand and leads her out of the office. I know she’s using that as an excuse to gossip about strategy to get me to change my mind about that prick, Wyatt, and it’s not going to work. I’ll make sure of that. She’s still very young and has plenty of time to marry someone appropriate.
Before I give that too much thought, I prepare myself for the pain of meeting Hannah. A small family room adjoins the study, which is more of a library with a large TV and games table. A second entrance from the foyer makes it a convenient place to meet guests. As I pour myself a scotch from the small wooden bar along the back wall, I try not to get emotional thinking about my toast with Derichs. Mrs. Kroft scuttles in and places a tray of cut sandwiches with a bowl of sliced fruit on the coffee table, then slips out of the door she entered from without a fuss.
“Miss Hannah Smith, sir.” Fritz stands aside and allows a small blonde woman to enter. Her eyes are wideas she takes in the room filled with rich, tobacco-colored bookcases that line the walls. The furniture is soft red leather, tufted, and well-worn, sitting on rugs that have been restored, but still show their ancient age. I remember playing board games with my parents here. Listening to jazz on the record player while Papa poured a gentle glass for himself, and Mama would dance with me. It’s my favorite room in the manor.
Does she know I caused his death being such a shit leader? Will she be disgusted with me? And who could blame her if she is?
“Welcome, Hannah. Can I pour you a drink?” I ask from the raised platform circling the back of the room. It leads to a small conservatory filled with plants, where Fritz spends most of his days.
“N-no, thank you, Mr. Freidenberg.” She twists her fingers together, then fiddles with her purse. Her frame is petite, fragile. I can picture her and my cousin together well, and that makes my heart hurt even more.
“Oh, no. Call me Max. Derichs was more than a soldier. He was my friend.” Motioning to the loveseat with a wave of my hand, she sits. “Food? Water? Anything.”
Blonde curls vibrate as she shakes her head rapidly. “No, thank you. Beautiful place. He said it was.”
Reclining back into the sofa, I consider my words carefully. I’m never one to shirk my responsibilities, and it’s time I got this over with. “I’m sure you’re angry with me?—”
“What? No, not at all.” Pink lips part on an audible gasp as she answers.
“But… I’m the one responsible?—”
Hannah places a small hand on my knee. Her blue eyes are wet as she peers at me from across the space between us. “No, Mister… Max. You helped Adal so much. Before he met you, he was lost. His legacy was to serve the Freidenbergs. It’s all he ever wanted. He loved you. He loved his home, his people. Hewantedto help. Adal knew the risks. It’s why he refused to let me move here. I came here to meet you, his friend. I know how much he admired and respected you.”
Now I am the one with tears in my eyes. Livia slips in through the office doors, and I clear my throat, then shirk away a tear with the pad of my thumb.
“Hannah, it’s so good to meet you.” Livia walks to her and sticks out her hand, but Hannah stands and the two briefly embrace.
“I’m hugging a lot more people nowadays. It’s important,” Hannah says. The two women sit together on the loveseat.
“Adal meant a lot to me. He was a good friend,” Livia says.
She smiles. “Yeah, he mentioned your adventures. He was so excited the night he got to order room service.” Her hand moves to her stomach, and my eyes follow.
An uneasiness sets in my core at the motion, and I feel nauseated, but I have to know. “Um, forgive me. Are you, uh…”
Her smile broadens. “Yes. I’m carrying his child. Heknew. He was so happy, but I told him not to tell anyone until I made it to the second trimester.”
My chest tightens. He had a child on the way… Fuck. The pain becomes unbearable once again. Livia’s tears spill over her cheeks.
“Um…” I pause, trying to maintain some composure, but breathing is difficult. “I’m taking care of you and the baby. For the rest of your lives. Whatever Adal would make is yours.”
“Oh, no, Max. That’s not why I came?—”
“I know it’s not. But,please. I need to do this. For him. For his child and his legacy. You will always have a home here, as will your child. Whatever you need, you come to me first, okay?”
Her mouth tightens into a line as she nods slowly. “Thank you. That was unexpected and… Thank you.”
“Do you have anyone to help?” Livia squeezes Hannah’s hand in her lap.
“Oh, yes. My family is in Drussville with me. I moved back in with my parents. My younger sister is excited for her niece or nephew to arrive.”
As if the walls are invisible, I spread out my hand to showcase the lands. “Well, as I said, if you want, we have plenty of cottages here on the grounds. I’ll be happy to settle you into your own home anytime.”