| Subject: Chapter 279 - Part 2 (16 and above) (end of chapter 279) |
Author:
KatherineG.
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Date Posted: Wednesday, March 28, 07:00:01am
In reply to:
KatherineG.
's message, "Dreams in the Dark continued (273>)" on Monday, March 05, 07:03:06am
She waited until she was certain the actor had gone, before she raised her voice slightly. "Well? What do you think?"
The tall man approached at last, coming out of the room next door; he closed the connecting door quietly behind him before coming to take a chair quite near her. "Probably much what you do, my dear. Why don't you tell me your insights?"
Adrian only smiled at such an attempt at distraction, leaning back more thoroughly to wait him out--her gaze still on the door where Andrew had left. "Yours first." It really wouldn't do to ever let him win.
Murrin--her old sparring partner, among other things--laughed quietly, but he hadn't come to so deeply appreciate the woman without admiring her strength. He started quite simply, then. "That boy's a fool."
"But a sweet fool," she smiled, looking over to him at last. He was none the worse for wear, whatever his business or his years; she let her eyes slide over him briefly. It was almost a comfort to have him back by her side.
He seemed to know this, certainly agreed, but did nothing to show it--their relationship always quite formal; he focused in on the business before them, instead. "Do you really think he's the right man to look after her?" The boy barely seemed capable of looking after his own shoes.
She couldn't avoid the smile, as much as she tried to. "There are others," she assured him. She would never have let the girl continue working, if there weren't.
He sensed this, nodding once, before moving onto other insights. "Madeline and Enquist were lying, of course. Jones would never try that attack now."
He seemed to stiffen just when saying the name, and she knew that it was more than purely professional rivalry which caused his hate; she did nothing to discourage it, turning the conversation. "How good is Fredericks?" As much basic faith as she had in him, it did worry her. If faced with a full-out assault . . .
"Much better than his father," Murrin nodded, but he knew this wasn't all she needed to know. "If nothing else, Annie will protect her." His gaze returned to her, the look quite deep and sad. "She more than knows how to hold her own."
Adrian had no doubt of this but felt the need to turn the conversation again. She knew she was bringing up the past--generally an agreed-upon area of avoidance for them--but she wanted to know. "How could you let her live with him for so long?" It wasn't really an accusation, but the curiosity was clear.
He picked up on it, sighing, trying not to get defensive. "I wasn't aware how bad she had it." It was the truth. "Besides, . . ."
He had trailed off, but she didn't demand any more--her hand rising to halt such talk. "Never mind." It wasn't like it mattered anymore--the past done. Besides, given what she had allowed to so long happen to Roberta under her own nose, she was hardly the one to chastise him for such negligence.
All of these omissions still ignored the more basic facts of the man's life. Murrin, like Jones, was not in the business of running charitable organizations--not unless they were profitable, at least. And neither of the "businessmen" hired their employees for their gentle, loving approach to the world but for their many, less-advertised job skills and their loyalty. No one with any sense would assume that his underlings were all wonderful family men. Or, at least, not with any family except their own organization.
Adrian had long known what the man was, was unlikely to chastise him for his business, however brutal it might be. She had other enemies, after all--Jones in particular. And, if you were going to try to fight against such predators, you had to expect a little blood.
She let such issues go, knew that Murrin was no happier with this aspect of Kessler's personality than she was--which already put him above Jones. That man was trying to force his own daughter into a miscarriage, to end her marriage to a good man who loved her and sell her into a union with a brute--a union which would benefit himself alone. Her old ally, to the contrary, had always looked out for his illegitimate sons, had done his best to keep them clear of any part of his business. That alone was enough to win her loyalties all over again.
Murrin knew this, asked no more questions of her than she did of him. It was a truth which had long marked their partnership. Adrian was the quiet benefactor for the children of many of his less-fortunate men; he, in turn, looked after her and hers. Together, they were formidable, their bond intense. And they were going to see her granddaughter and great-grandchild safe, even if they had to play very dirty to do it.
They didn't discuss such details, didn't really need to--their contingencies already in place. He only turned to her, gaze concerned--seeming to change the subject entirely. "How are you feeling?"
Mm. She smiled to him, knowing the intentions both of them had just sealed; Nikita would be protected--at least at home. It was up to herself and their friends to look after her at the studio, which they would need to do with far more intensity. But that was all she would ask of him now.
She let the thought go, knowing her granddaughter was currently safe at home. It was enough. "I'm here," she replied at last--but it wasn't so much a hopeful sign as a rather sad fact of life.
He saw this, nodding. "Anything I can get you?"
Her head shook, smile still soft. "I'm being well looked after." They didn't need to say by whom.
There was little else to discuss, the two of them understanding each other too well. He returned the smile, as he rose. "I'll let you get some rest." She was certainly going to need it, if she were going to protect her grandchild even more constantly at work.
There was no doubt that she would, Murrin beginning to retreat. Still, though he knew it wasn't necessary, he did turn to tell her one last thing. "I'll see that Nikita and her family are well looked after. I won't let her come to any harm." His head shook, the determination soft but intense. "You have my word."
She knew this, their bond unbroken. "And I know just what it's worth." It was a compliment both of them understood. He seemed to be waiting, pulling out her next words, despite her exhaustion. "Your sons have nothing to fear, either--whatever should happen to me."
This exchange given, the pair nodded, Murrin making his way out. "God keep you well, Adrian." The rest, they would both look after on their own.
She knew this, leaned back in her chair, sighing--comforted by the truth. Whatever the nature of her bargains, they had long served her well. Alive or dead, she and Murrin would look after each other's progeny. That was all that either of them ever needed to keep their alliance intact.
[End of Part 279]
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