Critical Path

Ignoring her, Denver released his father and stepped back to get a good look at him. “You’re looking a bit beat up, but you’re still here, still breathing.”

“Takes more than one of Mike’s bombs to end me, son. Besides, I knew I was gonna miss this place. It’s great to see you again. I never thought I would… not with, well, let’s not get carried away here. You’re safe, I’m safe, that’s all that matters. How are the others?”

Aimee cleared her throat. “Excuse me, gentlemen. Speed is of the essence.”

Before Charlie could answer, the door flew open, smashing against the stone wall. Augustus, flanked by two thuggish men armed with small scythes, stormed in.

“I demand to know what’s happening,” Augustus said.

Charlie, Denver and Baliska stood up from the table and prepared for a fight.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Aimee smiled at Augustus. He returned a glare and straightened his mask. The lying whore had escaped his assassination attempt. His team from the local tavern screwed up. Worse still, she probably had assistance from his stolen property, Jackson and Baliska. Both stood at the far end of the table in Aimee’s chamber, ready for action. Another fool, tall with red hair, completed the cabal of snakes.

He clenched both fists. He raised his quivering right hand toward Aimee and extended a bony finger. “I demand to know what’s going on. Who gave you permission to take my prisoners?”

Aimee let out a long sigh. “Your prisoners, Augustus? This is my town. I own every prisoner. You’re only welcome as long as you understand that.”

He leaned forward on the table. “Jackson is my property.”

“We’re not in ancient Rome, and your mother ship is gone,” she said, looking down her nose. If they were alone in the room, he wouldn’t think twice about slitting the bitch’s throat. “Unity has no slaves, only prisoners.”

Aimee backed away and stood behind the two men and large creature at the end of the room. Baliska hopped a couple of steps forward. Jackson scowled at Augustus. They would pay for this contempt.

“Who’s the freak?” the man with the red hair asked Charlie.

Augustus smashed his fist on the table and pointed at the newcomer. “Who is this cretin?”

“I’m Denver Jackson. Who are you?”

“Jackson… you must be Charlie’s bastard.” Feeling betrayed and out of the loop, he couldn’t contain a sudden surge of extra anger.

He picked up a wine cup and threw it against the wall.

Orange wine splashed everywhere as the goblet bounced off and landed by his feet. “His son!? Why wasn’t I informed of his presence?”

The conniving went way deeper than Augustus expected. These people would pay with their lives.

Charlie put his arm around Denver. “Son, meet Augustus. A supposed Roman emperor, chief croatoan ass kisser and loser of empires.”

Augustus thought about picking up a china plate and throwing it at Charlie’s face, but decided against it. He brought muscle with him, no need to get his hands dirty by fighting the peasants. “Is he really your son, Charlie? Gregor told me he’s a bastard. The red hair leads me to believe that lazy piece of shit told the truth.”

Denver made to launch forward, but Charlie held him back.

“You’re testing my patience,” Aimee said. “Do you know anything about an attack on me this morning?”

Augustus sneered. She had already tested his patience to its limit. “I can think of at least a hundred people who would like you dead. You may not realize it, but you’re not as universally liked as you think you are, nor half as clever. The underclass listen to me. I keep them content instead of letting them revolt.”

Aimee’s brow furrowed. “How is that even possible? You’ve only lived here for a few weeks. Before that, you were just an occasional visitor. Most have never even mentioned your name. I think you’re letting your ego get to you again.”

He may have exaggerated his position, but he would convince more of the population of her meddling and duplicity.

After the failed attempt on her life, he needed more time and leverage.

Charlie Jackson would do for now. If she had any respect for ancient law, Aimee would not resist. “I’m taking my prisoners back to their cells. You know it’s my right to do so.”

Aimee said, “If you want them so much, I will allow you to fight for them in the arena. You versus Charlie or Baliska.”

If she had any noble blood, she would fight him in the arena. Her suggestion proved her low breeding.

Augustus snapped his fingers and pointed at Charlie. “Take him back to the ludus. He’s my property, and I claim him back.”

His two guards moved forward, either side of Augustus, their sickles raised.

“This is your final warning,” Aimee said. “How dare you come in here with armed men and threaten my authority, especially after your little stunt earlier.”

“You threaten authority by dismissing tradition and respect. Do the right thing and make me an offer for your new ally. Until then, he remains under my control.”

Both Jacksons picked up pieces of cutlery from the table and hunched in anticipation. Baliska reached for his thigh.