Chương 23

Louis stayed at the bench to clean the rifles. He knew how to shoot. Cleaning one was different. He had never done this kind of work. After staring at the rifles for a minute, Louis pulled out his phone and searched "how to clean a BOAR-29." A video showed a man breaking down the same model on a workbench. Louis copied him at the range bench, pausing twice to replay the same step. The first pin slipped from his fingers and nearly rolled off the edge.

Fouling and oil stained the rag black, got under his nails, and left his hands smelling of solvent and metal. By the time Gladice came back, Louis had just finished one rifle.

"Leave the rest. Wash up," she said.

"Then take my bag." Louis washed his hands at the utility sink and slung the range bag over one shoulder. It was heavier than it looked. Gladice thanked the local director while the last cameras watched. Then she turned toward the service path. The vehicles waited in the lower lot. Gladice stopped beside the rear door and looked back at Louis.

"Door, Collins." Louis shifted the range bag on his shoulder and opened it for her. Gladice slid into the rear seat.

"Hers too."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Angel," She said through the open door.

"You're with me." Louis closed the door for Gladice, crossed behind the car, and opened the rear door for Angelique. She watched him do it. Then she got in and slid to the middle. Louis followed. The drive back toward the city passed faster than the ride out. Gladice opened another bottle of water and drank from it. When it was half-empty, she reached across Angelique and held it out to Louis.

"Drink," she said. Louis looked at the bottle, then at Angelique. She gave a short snort without looking at him. He took the bottle and drank. The rim was still wet from Gladice's mouth. The water was warm, plastic at first, then faintly sweet from her. Angelique kept her eyes forward. Civic Citadel rose ahead of them again. The cars passed through a private gate and entered a residential court reserved for the evening's informal meetings. When the car stopped, Gladice stayed in her seat. Louis waited.

She tipped her chin toward the range bag by his feet.

"Well?" Louis picked up the bag, got out, crossed behind the car, and opened her door. Gladice gave him a sweet smile.

"Good boy," she said as she stepped out. Angelique got out on the other side and closed the door herself. She looked at Gladice.

"I trust you've had your fun," she said.

"Hardly." Gladice winked. Inside, the residence had been set for dinner and private talks. Staff met them at the door, took their coats, and brought out trays of water, coffee, and small plates. From the drawing room came Constantine's voice, then Hawks's rough reply. Philip spoke lower. Mayor Simington answered after him. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Judith stood near the drawing room arch in azure silk.

Maria and Jessamine Simington stood beside her. All three women looked over as Louis, Angelique, and Gladice entered. Gladice crossed to them first and kissed her mother's cheek.

"Mother," she said warmly, then turned to Judith and Maria with the same polished smile.

"Mrs. Collins. Mrs. Bourbon. I hope the afternoon treated you kindly." Judith looked from Gladice to the range bag on Louis's shoulder, then back again. Her mouth curved.

"Very much. How was your day, Sergeant Simington?" Gladice smiled.

"Louis has been wonderfully helpful today. He graciously offered to act as Angelique's and my personal assistant for the rest of the evening." She looked at her mother.

"A small courtesy between young people of important families, you understand. It seemed only right to accept." She turned her head slightly toward Louis.

"He's already proven quite capable. Haven't you, Louis?" Louis inclined his head.

"Of course, ma'am." Angelique turned her head away. Gladice kept smiling. Judith laughed and covered her mouth.

"How thoughtful of you, Louis. I'm sure the girls will appreciate the assistance." Maria raised an eyebrow. Jessamine gave her daughter a sharp look. Constantine glanced over from the drawing room, then turned back to the other men. Gladice extended one hand toward Louis without looking at him.

"Bag." He stepped forward and handed it over. Gladice gave it to a staff member, thanked him, and turned back to the women.

"Shall we freshen up before dinner? Louis will make sure everything is in order." She looked at Louis.

"Won't you?"

"Yes, ma'am." Gladice slipped her arm through Angelique's.

"Come along, Angel," she said in a warm voice.

"We shouldn't keep the gentlemen waiting too long." She turned to Louis.

"I'll see you at the reception, my gallant."

"Yes, ma'am." Louis nodded. His face was hot. The reception before dinner was held in a long salon that opened onto an inner court. Serana looked up from a chair near the open doors as Louis walked in. Jacques stood beside her with his phone in his hand.

"You look like shit," she said.

"I thought your afternoon was supposed to be fun."

"Not now." Louis glared at her. Serana rolled her eyes and turned back to Jacques. He angled his phone toward her. Gladice had changed into black silk, cut off one shoulder. Angelique wore crimson. The fabric caught the light when she moved.

"There you are." Gladice held out her empty glass as Louis passed.

"Bourbon, neat." He took it.

"Of course, ma'am." Gladice's mouth lifted. Across the room, Angelique looked down once, then back at him. He crossed to the bar station, traded the empty glass for a full one, and brought it back. A steward started toward them, saw the glass in Louis's hand, and stepped away.

"Good," Gladice said, taking the drink.

"Now Angelique." Angelique turned her wrist and showed him the low water in her glass.

"Fresh," she said. He brought her a new glass. She took it and gave him a small nod. Judith tapped the rim of her glass with one fingernail, the room turned toward her.

"Before we go in to dinner, I should thank our hosts. Harvey, Nova, you have been generous to us, as you always have been. Constantine and I are grateful." Harvey nodded and smiled. Nova raised her glass.

"Today is a special occasion, with four important families gathering here. It is good to see friendship, duty, and the next generation under the same roof." Judith glanced toward Philip and David.

"As we are all aware, we live in a turbulent period of time. In such a world, trust between families becomes its own kind of protection. Our families carry different historical burdens, different enemies, and different answers for the future, but tonight we meet under one roof." Philip inclined his head. Judith looked toward Louis, Angelique, and Gladice.

"Our younger generation is the future of our countries and our families. It is good to see them already finding friendship with one another. In times like these, trust may be one of the strongest answers to those who oppose us." Louis nodded and looked down at his shoes.

"Well said, Judy!" Harvey rapped the base of his glass once against the side table.

"Thank you, Harvey." Judith smiled.

"Now, a toast to King Philip and Queen Maria of Navarre. May the Bourbon dynasty endure and prosper." Philip and Maria raised their glasses.

"To the Kingdom of Navarre!" Constantine drained his glass. The room answered him. Glasses lifted. Louis glanced at Angelique. She raised hers with the others. Her fingers stayed tight around the stem.