Chapter 26 #2
Griff shrugged. Kaine sent his baby money for her hair before tucking his phone in his pocket, wondering if his godfather heard about the attempts on his life. If he had, Kaine fully expected Kenneth to fuss about being left out, and he wasn’t particularly in the mood for it.
“Did you increase security on my baby?” Griff nodded. “Alright then, let’s get this shit over with so I can get home.”
Instead of heading to the airport, they drove to Kenneth’s house, on the outskirts of Eastfield.
Kaine could never understand why the old man lived so far outside of the city, but then, Eastfield was very firmly ruled by the Motsi, so perhaps he wanted to keep the peace.
Either way, Kaine was peeved as they pulled up to the compound where Kenneth lived with his family.
Kenneth’s mate, Charlotte, let them in, greeting them both with a smile. The feline shifter hugged her grandson tight before raising to her toes to air kiss near Kaine’s cheek.
“Kaine, how are you?” was her bright greeting as she stepped back to let them into the foyer.
“Everything is great, Aunt Char.”
“And your siblings?”
“They are well.”
“Kenny told me that you’re mated. I’m sure Vivian is so excited.” Charlotte clapped silently. “If only my grandson would follow suit.”
He didn’t say anything, simply giving her a small smile because Vivian didn’t know, and he doubted “excited” was the word his mother would use when she did find out. He couldn’t answer about Griff’s plans on mating, but from his friend’s face, that wouldn’t happen any time soon.
“Ken is in the back,” she told him. “I’ll bring out drinks.”
Kaine had been at his house plenty of times, so he went through and out the back door. Kenneth was in the back smoking, his security roaming the property in both animal and human form. Kaine noted it.
“You don’t feel safe in your home, Ken?”
The old male grunted. “There are rumors flying around.”
“About what, exactly?”
“About the attempts on your life, for one.”
Kaine tilted his head but didn’t deny or confirm.
“The Ascension Ball is in a couple of weeks. Do you have this under control?”
“I’m still alive, Ken, does it look like things are out of control?”
The old man studied him. “I was glad that Henry had chosen you for his successor. Of the three of you, you were the most level-headed.”
“And that hasn’t changed,” Kaine told him.
“I’m hearing rumblings from my police contacts that a detective is looking into Henry’s murder.”
“Isn’t that their job?” He tucked his hands in his pocket, curious as to where his godfather was going with this.
“Have you found out anything from them?” Kenneth asked.
Kaine shrugged. “I’m sure I’ll be contacted the moment they find some information of interest.”
Kenneth sighed. “You sure you want to dredge all this up? The Ace of Spades comes with its share of enemies, you want the police digging through all that?”
“Why would I not want to find the people responsible for killing my grandfather?”
Kenneth nodded. “You have every right to answers. Others are concerned that it’s not worth the scrutiny.”
“Interesting,” was all Kaine said.
He wondered if this whole thing was a fishing expedition by Kenneth, and if that were the case, why? Was he protecting another member? Kenneth was one of his grandfather’s oldest friends; would he cave under pressure from other guild members?
“I’ll reach out to my contacts to see if we can speed it along. I’m behind whatever you decide, I just want to make sure you’re being careful.”
“As careful as I can be under the circumstances,” he promised the elder. “If this detective finds out something about Henry’s murder, then I will handle that as well. I don’t give a fuck who it bothers.”
He and Kenneth had a staredown before the older male sighed and held up his hands.
“I will warn you that the other members have expressed worry. Do with that what you will.”
“I talked with Benjamin Perretti, I’m aware of their worries. Who else is talking?”
“There has been concern from a few of the Kings about some of the changes you’ve made with regards to the way hits have been hitting the wire, but I’m doing my best to quell the loudest voices.”
Kaine narrowed his eyes. “If there’s an issue, send them directly to me. I was headed back to Oakridge. Was that all you wanted to talk about?”
Kenneth sighed. “You’re not an island, Ezra. Use those who are at your disposal. The Kings shouldn’t be able to come to you with every little issue. Why do you think I had you put Griff as your head of security? Just as Henry trained you, I have trained my grandson to handle problems.”
“I understand the hierarchy, Kenneth. Just because you don’t see the work beneath the surface doesn’t mean that I’m not doing what I’m supposed to. Griff and I are not you and Henry. We will find our footing.”
Kenneth smiled. “Understood. I’ll tell the others not to worry, then.”
“Their worry won’t affect my ascension, and it damn sure won’t affect the way I run this guild. Tell them that.” Kaine shook his head. The old guard wanted to still be in charge, and even though he understood that, it didn’t make it any less aggravating.
Kenneth’s mate came out with a tray of tea. Kaine smiled at her, though his tiger was riled.
“Thank you, auntie, but I was on my way out.”
“Oh.” Her eyes searched his before going back to her mate. “I thought you could stay for a late breakfast.”
He shook his head. “Sadly, there is work to be done.”
“Of course,” she conceded with a nod.
“I’ll see myself out,” he told her with a quick buss across her cheek.
He and Griff left. Once they were in the car, the two men shared a look.
“What do you think he’s not saying?” Griff asked.
“I don’t know, but it’ll all come to light.” Eve’s plan was solid and would force everything to a head. All he could do was prepare for shit to go left at the Ascension Ball.
Griff shook his head and drove off.