Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“Why would you do that?”
Another shrug. A bigger smirk. “I’ve never been one to play fair.”
I didn’t know what to make of that, so I put it aside for the moment. “But why disinherit you and not me?”
“My old man isn’t one for sentimentality, so I assume the decision is a preemptive strike. Eloise can’t sell a salacious story to the media about the illegitimate Burkhardts who were abandoned and cast out. They always knew about you and were willing to provide for you. It was our choice to keep you away. In every version of this story coming out, we’re the bad guys.”
My head bobbed, taking this in. It was a smart play, especially for a man who planned to become president of the United States. He wasn’t ashamed of the housekeeper’s daughters. Look, here was the proof he was happy and willing to welcome them any time. It was their parents who didn’t tell them the truth, so there was no mark on the Burkhardts’ shining reputation.
“This does explain a lot... but none of it explains Everleigh Starling.”
His smirk disappeared. “In a way, it does, Luna. There’s a reason why my family erased me. None of the Royals mention my name. Saylor only has the vaguest recollection of a man who used to blow raspberries on her belly and carry her around on his shoulders. I chose the wrong side. When you’re a Royal, there’s no worst sin.”
“The wrong side? What does that mean?”
Getting to his feet, Alistair paced in front of the television, using the chance to break my probing stare. “By now, you know there are three factions in Regalia, yes?”
“Yes,” I replied. “The Royals, Rogues, and Dregs.”
“What do you know about the Rogues?”
“My guys are the Rogues.”
“Did they tell you anything else? As in, why they’re called that and why it sets them apart?”
“No.” A thought occurred to me. “Does it have anything to do with purple flags? They freaked out when they saw it.”
“It has everything to do with that flag.” Alistair stopped before the window, looking out at the endless sea. “What you must understand, Luna, is that Regalia isn’t just home to a bunch of rich families. It’s where the kingmakers live. Every business, every town, everyone traces back to one or more of the Regalians. They are each of them responsible for making the country what it is today, but the truth is, a country isn’t shaped by heroes and do-gooders alone.
“From the slavers who soaked our country in shame we’ve yet to fully amend, to the explosion of organized crime during Prohibition, the bad guys leave their mark on the country just as wide as the good.”
“What does that have to do with my guys or the flag?”
Alistair finally faced me. “I’ve been vague till now, so let me finally be blunt. The Rogues aren’t a cute name for a bunch of teenage fixers. The Rogues are the largest, oldest, and most dangerous criminal empire in the country. The shadow faction of Regalia, their legacy is woven through every business, every town, and everyone too.”
My mind wiped blank. “The Rogues are... what?”
“We go back to the very founding of Regalia. Elmer Wilson commanded the militia that slaughtered an indigenous tribe on the orders of Ansel Burkhardt. Elmer never trusted Ansel, so he kept his militia handy. This turned out to be the wise choice because Ansel tried to have him killed multiple times to hide the truth of what they’d done to get the land.
“Elmer greatly rewarded the men who saved his life. Based on their blood-soaked secrets, they formed their own ties—”
“—becoming a band of men called the Rogues,” I finished. “A group of fricking monsters. So Elmer Wilson was the first Rogue?”
“He didn’t call himself that, and at the time, I doubt he realized he was the start of something bigger. The men who chose his side and protected him automatically became the enemies of the Burkhardts. Ansel Burkhardt was a wealthy robber baron and had all the privileges an unequal society gave him. He had the means and money to bring the full weight of his displeasure against the militia members, so they had to get creative and underhand to protect themselves,” Alistair said. “Only Elmer received two thousand dollars for the atrocity. They didn’t.”
“They banded together in protection and fought just as dirty and underhanded to stay alive in their new home, Regalia,” I said. “Sounds familiar.”
“Exactly,” Alistair said, inclining his head. “Some chose to thrive in this town by following the rules and climbing the ladder only when tapped to rise. Others have moved their pieces in the shadows.”
“Why haven’t I heard of this? Why didn’t the guys say it was more than just them?”
“Because they value their lives,” he dropped, blowing me back. “The Rogues don’t advertise who they are. The members of the organization are a secret. Your boyfriends announced themselves because, for various reasons, they can’t rely on their families.