Chapter 6 Everett
Bad Things, I Prevail
The throbbing ache of my migraine settles to the front of my head as I walk toward my office.
Today we are supposed to confront my brother Frederick for stealing goods and money from our various businesses, the main one being the Den.
His fuck-ups irritate me. He feels entitled to everything our family has yet puts in no effort or work. He is the middle child and thus, I believe, has “middle-child syndrome,” as they call it.
Our family consists of many members. There’s our mother, Louisa, who trusts no one and holds resentment over the slightest inconveniences. Our father passed away right after I came home, battered from the war, and left me to inherit the lead role in the Adders.
The birthing order went as follows:
Kenneth, the oldest. He’s the accountant, refined and conservative.
Then myself.
Then Douglas, may he rest in peace; the war took him from us.
Then Frederick, the fuck-up, who avoided the war draft. Frederick who walks around town like he owns the place but never contributes to the family. Frederick the entitled ass-wipe who’s lucky I hold Kenneth back from excommunicating him from the family and this realm.
Then the twins, Gregory and Jacob; they are identical.
Which comes in handy because we faked Jacob’s death during the war.
Everyone assumes there are only five of us Adders still living, yet there are six.
Having a family member that faked their death comes in handy for reconnaissance against our enemies.
Then the baby, Robert—or Bobby. The sweetheart of the group—luckily Baba gave him her personality, rather than him absorbing the poisonous character of our mother.
He has such a wild imagination, is playful—the war didn’t taint his soul like it did Kenneth’s and mine.
Considering it ended right when he was going to basic training.
I nod at the receptionist as I approach my office. Peering over at the adder tank, noticing the reptiles pay no attention to the people that pass them by. Interestingly enough, I could stick my hands in there and the snakes wouldn’t mind.
Baba says she blessed my spirit to appease the snakes so they don’t strike me.
Maybe some of her Viking hoodoo does work, for I have dunked my hand in there numerous times when others were not looking, just to test her claim.
To see if the gods would relieve me from living on this fucking godforsaken Earth.
Relieve me of my duties, my nightmares, the demons that haunt my soul.
Baba has asked to bless me, to remove my torturous nightmares, but I refuse.
I’ll disassociate and deal with my bullshit on my own. It is no one else’s burden to carry.
Entering my office, I find Kenneth, Lloyd and Lyle all awaiting in the black leather chairs. I dislike that the receptionist allowed them in instead of having them wait in the lobby.
I glance around to make sure they haven’t touched anything; everything appears to be in the right order. I mostly trust them, but my cynical ass doesn’t trust anyone or anything one hundred percent, not even family.
The small bar that I only keep for guests remains untouched, the bottles containing the same levels of alcohol as the last time I was in here.
The large painting of a dragon rearing back to engulf a town hangs on one wall, while the adjacent one features an image of two lions fighting.
Bookshelves line the walls, filled with various novels, collectibles and picture frames featuring us as children, not yet realizing the extent of our family’s world.
All items from the time of my father’s reign. I haven’t reorganized anything or attempted to personalize this office. I’d rather keep it as a shrine to my father.
“Ah, you’ve finally graced us with your presence,” Kenneth blandly states.
I walk around to my large oak desk that is stained black and sit in the tall leather-upholstered armchair .
Cracking my knuckles, I proceed. “Hopefully you didn’t have to wait long, yeah?” Folding my hands atop my desk, I await his response.
“You ready to confront him today?” Kenneth asks sternly. He means Frederick. Today we make him repent for his sins.
“Let’s get this over with,” I remark.
Lyle and Lloyd shuffle uncomfortably in their seats. Peering over at them, I raise an eyebrow, questioning their mannerisms.
Lloyd scratches at the snake scar burned into his forearm.
“Sorry, sir, just uneasy because Lyle and Frederick got into it last night, ’cause Lyle caught ’em red-handed taking a case of our finest scotch.
He tried to knock one out at Lyle, but… Well, Lyle taught him a lesson.
” Lloyd looks over at Lyle, awaiting further explanation.
I notice Lyle’s face turns a shade pinker.
He probably thinks I’m going to scold him or retaliate for taking matters into his own hands, but I won’t.
These men are more brothers to me than Freddy.
I’d have more sentiment and care for Freddy, but he keeps digging his own grave—and for hell’s sake, these men have taken the oath.
They burned their skin to prove their loyalty and continue to prove it day in and day out.
“Lyle. I’m not gonna hurt ya. What happened?” I ask cautiously, to make sure my tone doesn’t head in the wrong direction.
He looks over at Lloyd and scowls. “Sorry, boss, I just—I’m sick of his piss-poor attitude.
He acts like everything is his and just takes what he wants.
It was a busy-ass night at the Den and this fucker— Uh, sorry—I mean Frederick, just goes and tries to take a case from the back and shove it into some friend’s truck, stating he was having a big party.
” Lyle’s nose flares, his words getting faster each moment that passes as his anger becomes palpable, then he takes a deep breath and continues.
“He swung at me first when I confronted him about the case. I did ask him nicely to give it back, but he laughed at me then swung outta nowhere, not provoked or anything. Then he told me to go back to being a bar dog. When he tried to take the swing, I couldn’t help myself—it was a reaction to protect myself—and I hit his ribs and then his face a couple times.
Then his friends jumped me, but luckily Clint alerted Lloyd.
Then he came out with a few guys and backed me up.
I’m sorry, boss, I know it ain’t what ya wanna hear.
” Lyle looks down at his feet in defeat, thinking I will deliver some sort of punishment, but it isn’t warranted.
I scratch my chin as I stare between the three men.
Kenneth pipes up. “Well? Are we gonna let this shit stain continue?” Kenneth has made his stance on Frederick more than clear, assigning him the nickname “Freddy the Fuck-up.”
“I believe Lyle delivered a fair disposition and also a fair punishment, but this needs to stop once and for all. What shall we do with Frederick?” I ask the men.
Kenneth snorts. “Beat the ever-living shit out of him again.”
I attempt to hide a small smile at his retort.
Lloyd answers, “Should he shovel the horse stables? Maybe find a way to get him away from the drugs and alcohol? To humble him somehow?”
“That’d be a good resolution. The only issue is making sure he does what he is told. He would need a babysitter, one that intimidates him,” I state plainly. I pinch the bridge of my nose, my migraine growing.
Lyle remarks, “You all right, boss? ”
I nod curtly. “Let’s place Biscuit on him. He can watch ’em along with a couple of the others. Maybe he’ll be persuaded to follow the rules and show some respect if he has a pistol at his back,” I state as I rub my palm over my face.
“Or we could just kill him and end his fucking misery,” Kenneth spits.
A knock at the door stops our conversation. I call out for the person to enter.
It is the receptionist, Elly. “Your brother is here, sir,” she states in a sing-song voice.
I look at Kenneth.
“Put ’em in the conference room and throw a fucking adder at his face,” he remarks.
Elly’s eyes go wide with shock.
I smile. “Elly, place him in the conference room, but hold the snake.”
She swallows, then proceeds to ask, “You want me to actually hold the snake, sir?”
Jesus, she is dense.
“No, Elly, it is a saying. Don’t touch the snakes, ever. Don’t let anyone ever touch the snakes.”
She nods swiftly in my direction and all four of us stand, getting ready to take defensive positions before we head directly into Hurricane Frederick.
He has draped himself over a chair, not a care in the world. He smells like cigarettes and booze—God, and something else. The stench is awful. I will have to have Elly wash down this room.
“What’s this shit about?” he moans out, scratching his face with both hands. I see the black eye and a couple scrapes on his cheekbone. Small stains on his suit. Disgraceful.
He is lucky Kenneth isn’t in charge, for he doesn’t have as much patience and Frederick would be dead by now.
I took my father’s words seriously within his will. Protect the Family, always. Family Always First .
Frederick spots Lloyd and Lyle walking into the room and he stands up. “The fuck they doing here!?” he shouts.
I grab my head. “Would you pipe the fuck down? You bellend, you fucked up. You attacked Lyle, and let’s just cut to the chase, Frederick.
You fucking stole from the Den. You’ve been stealing booze and money.
Thus, you are stealing from the family.” My icy tone seeps across the room and you can see every spine stiffen.
I’m at least three to four inches taller than everyone, except for Kenneth—he is almost my height, but I’m still taller and outweigh him.
Frederick spits out, “I am only getting what I deserve!”