The King Brothers- The Complete Series

by G. Bailey

  "What is going on?" I ask, seeing bright lights and hearing loud music at the bottom of the street we are parked on. Everyone is walking towards the street past our car.

  "It's the light festival. They go around England once a year, and tonight they’re here," he explains to me. Luke offers me a multicoloured mask that will just cover my eyes. "Everyone wears them. They sell them for a charity." I smile, putting my mask on as Luke places his similar one on himself. I wait for a space in the people passing the car before opening the door and getting out. Luke walks to my side as we join the people, wrapping an arm around my waist.

  "Did I tell you they dance on the streets?" Luke asks just as the festival comes into view. Stalls line the sides of the streets, shining bright lights all around the people dancing in the middle of them. Loud, beautiful music is blasting from a band on a stage in the middle of the stalls. A man is singing loudly as he jumps around the stage, full of energy and laughter.

  "Dance with me?" Luke asks, reminding me of when we first met. I nod, trying not to get emotional. Luke walks us into the dancers and wraps his arms around my waist, as I rest my head on his shoulder.

  "We never got the first date, not really. I want to correct that time and time again with you, Emilia," he whispers to me. I lift my head and place my hand on his cheek as we sway to the music.

  "I never needed fancy dates to fall in love with you. I just wanted you around," I explain to him.

  "I'm here now," Luke promises, turning his head and kissing my hand before I lower it. "And I love you." I lean up and kiss Luke, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. We are both lost in each other for a long time, kissing, dancing, and laughing. Some moments couldn't be more perfect. Eventually, we make our way out of the dancers to look at the stalls. I walk to a stall that sells little wooden toys and pick up a hand-painted red fire engine.

  "Would Parker like that?" Luke asks.

  "He would. Fire engines are his favourite," I say, and Luke buys the fire engine truck, and the stall keeper places it in a bag. We walk down past more stalls, stopping to look every so often.

  "Do you want to move in?" I blurt out, and Luke stops, looking down at me with a big smile.

  "I mean Parker needs to know about us soon anyway and it's a big house. It might be too soon, but I'm throwing it out there. You’re already sneaking in every night anyway."

  "I would love to. I want to be with you and Parker," he says, leaning down and kissing me. "You have no idea how much I'd love to live with you."

  "We should have a long chat with Parker about everything," I say, knowing it is best we explain it all to him soon.

  "How was he about Eric moving out?" Luke asks.

  "Actually, he seemed to understand. Eric took him out for ice cream this week, and he came back with big smiles, telling me he has a baby brother or sister on the way," I say, remembering how happy he was. We agreed to go to the shops to get a teddy gift for the baby when he or she is born. I'm glad Eric is involving Parker so much already, it no doubt helped him understand why his dad moved out.

  "You have brought up an amazing kid," Luke says, making me feel proud.

  "He’s like his dad," I say, winking at Luke. He laughs, holding me close to him as we continue walking down the street, dreaming of our future we know we are lucky to have.

  135 Emilia

  "You can't fight tonight. I'm serious," I say, catching Luke's arm in the changing room as I start to really panic about all this. We’ve been living in peace the last week, pretending like this wasn’t going to happen today, and now it’s here, and we can’t avoid it. The fight is planned, and Arthur is out there waiting. Watching.

  "He has to," my brother says behind me, and Luke tensely looks down at me. I know he doesn’t want to do this, and I want to hate him. I want to drag him out of here, but I understand why, and that’s even worse.

  "I don't want to do this, but it's all over if I don't. Five years of pain, misery, and destruction for nothing. Arthur will kill me, you, and everyone I care about," Luke says, sliding his hands onto my face. “I can’t risk you and Parker. My brothers, my sister. Everyone.”

  "He’s my brother," I whisper.

  "I know the price," my stupid brother replies. I turn my tear filled eyes on Dale, who looks over my shoulder at Luke. "I want some time with my sister. Meet you out there, Luke."

  "I'm sorry," Luke whispers, letting go of me before he walks past. "I’ll try to make it quick." A sob escapes my lips as I just stare at his green eyes, knowing every part of him doesn’t want to do this. Whatever Luke is, he isn’t a cold-blooded killer.

  I hear Luke walk away, the door open and shut in the distance, and I look back at my brother. The light from the tiny window in the room shines on my brother, his tanned skin and black hair so similar to my own.

  "I don't want to die. I will admit that," Dale says, coming up to me and placing his hands on my shoulders. "I want you and our family to live more than me. We’ve both spent years being used by that monster. Years where I have done things I want nothing more than to forget. Luke will never forgive himself for killing me, so he’ll need you to forgive him. I need you to forgive me for this."

  "I can't watch the man I love kill my brother because of this goddamn place!" I shout, whacking my fists onto his chest as I burst into uncontrollable sobs. Dale pulls me into his arms, holding me tight as we hear the door open. I know it’s time, but Dale still has to pull me off of him.

  "Dase had run because he couldn’t watch, so after this, you’ll only have dad and Luke to watch your back. Be careful," Dale tells me, before letting me go and walking away.

  "I love you. I wish I could change this," I cry out.

  "My death has been coming for a long time. At least I will die for something; that can't be said for our brothers or most our family, sis," he tells me, his words echoing around the room before he shuts the door. The slam of the door feels like the final goodbye, and I can't process the pain as I fall to the floor. I don't know how long I sit there on the floor, remembering every good thing I can about my brother. How he would steal ice cream out of the freezer for me. How he would beat up the big boys who used to chase me around the playground and steal my lunch. How he was there for me when I went into labour and how Dale was the first person to hold Parker. I block out all the sounds of cheering, the bloodthirsty customers who love to see a fight until I have to hold my hands over my ears. The world seems to blur away for a long time, my thoughts disappearing into nothing but pain. Hands gently cover mine on my ears, lowering them and I know that touch anywhere. This time, I don't want to look at him, and I can't.

  "It's over," he whispers to me.

  "I want to hate you for it," I cry.

  "Then hate me," he replies.

  "I can't. I fucking love you," I say, bursting into tears. Luke wraps his arms around me, sitting on the floor and holding me close as I wish for the pain to disappear. It doesn't, and I suspect it never will.

  "I have to go," Luke gently tells me, reminding me why my brother's death was so important. “I have to finish this.”

  "Make sure he pays for it," I demand, locking eyes with Luke and seeing the pain. Seeing the heartbreak and how scared he is to lose me.

  "I will." His words are firm as I lean closer and press my lips to his for only a moment before pulling back. "Leave and let me finish this. Keep our son safe." I don't reply to him, knowing I can't process any words right now before I get up and walk out. I hold my head high, not looking once at the cage and the place that keeps destroying every part of my soul. This place will burn, and Arthur just lit the match.

  136 Emilia

  I keep banging the door to Harley's as I ring Tilly's phone again, wishing they would damn well answer the phone or door. It only took me a minute of sitting on that cold floor to realise that Luke is going to need our help. I can’t help him on my own, but his brothers can. I’m scared for him, and after losing my own brother, I can’t lose Luke. It’s not happening.
Not without a fight. Tilly pulls the door open, a dressing gown wrapped around her shoulders and Harley is standing right behind her, wearing just joggers and a thin shirt.

  "What the hell are you doing here at one in the morning?" Tilly asks, before seeing my eyes and asking the more important question. "What's wrong?"

  "Elliot and Seb are on their way, but we don't have time for a long explanation," I hurriedly say. “Put your coat on Harley; we need to go.”

  "Time for what?" Harley asks.

  "Luke was with Arthur all these years,” I wait for that to sink in for a moment before I carry on speaking. “Luke needs your help now. He thinks he can do this all on his own, take down The Cage, like he’s always done.” There is nothing but fury building in Harley's eyes as I speak. "Luke is wrong."

  "He spent five years with Arthur? Why the fuck would he do that?" he asks.

  "The police, they used him as a spy. They needed someone close to Arthur and Arthur made Luke a deal," I say. “Luke told me that Arthur’s men were beating him, getting close to killing him in prison, so he took the police’s deal and Arthur’s deal.”

  "Fuck," Harley mutters. “Why didn’t he tell us?”

  "Where is Luke, Emilia?" Tilly asks.

  "At The Cage,” I say, rubbing my arms from the cold and lack of coat. “H-he killed my brother tonight because Arthur is going to show him the vaults. Whatever is in the vaults, Luke is planning to finish everything tonight after he sees it."

  "The vaults?" Harley asks. "What could possibly be in there?"

  "I don't know!" I reply. "I just know Luke needs you. He isn't planning on walking out of there alive tonight. I saw the look in his eyes, and I know Luke better than I know myself. Luke is going to die to take down Arthur and The Cage, and that can't happen."

  "He isn't dying. No way is that hellhole taking anyone else from me," Harley says, kissing the side of Tilly's head after she gives him a nod. Harley disappears for a moment, likely getting shoes on.

  "I’ll tell Elliot and Seb what happened. Come back to me," Tilly nervously replies. "Both of you. Keep my husband safe." she looks at me, and I try not to cry at her affection and worry. I hate that all I can do is nod. I couldn’t keep Harley safe if I tried. I couldn’t keep Luke safe. Harley storms off to his car, with me following right behind him, knowing I can't just stay here. I need to make sure Luke survives this. Deep down, I know he is partly doing this all for me and Parker. A deeper part of me knows I can't live without Luke again. I wasn't living before; I was drowning.

  "You shouldn't come," Harley suggests when he sees me following. “The Cage isn’t a good place.”

  "I'm just as part of The Cage as all of you," I say. “We’re all Arthur’s pets.”

  "You might need to explain that one to me, Emilia. Now," Harley snaps, but he carries on walking.

  "Arthur owns me, he married me off and then bribed me to spy on you all these years," I say, my last words blurting out as Harley opens the car door. I expect to see anger, hate or at least distrust in his gaze but he still looks at me the same as he always has. Like I'm family.

  "That man destroys everyone. You can't save yourself from him once he owns you. Not without a lot of pain," Harley tells me.

  "Trust me; there has been enough. I can't lose Luke," I whisper as hot tears stream down my cheeks, but he hears me.

  "You won't. We won't lose Luke. Not again," he says, before pulling the car door open and we both get into the car. I just hope we can get there in time.

  137 Luke

  "That was a very good fight, though a little short for my liking," Arthur comments like the asshole I know he is.

  "Yeah, I could have dragged it out longer," I remark, though I never would have. I made it quick and as painless as I possibly could for him. I don’t think I will ever be able to forget tonight. Never.

  "You usually do," Arthur says, patting my shoulder just like Harley does, but it's not the same. Arthur's is patronising, and a show of power, whereas Harley does it because he’s my brother and cares. It's a show of affection.

  "Now, you promised me a reward," I say, keeping my words and expression playful when Arthur looks my way.

  "That I did," Arthur says, nodding his head to the side. We walk down the empty corridor, and towards a door that Arthur unlocks as he talks. "Having you around reminds me of the times when it was just me and your father. Us against the world and he was a true brother to me until he lost his mind."

  "I wish he hadn't had made those decisions in the end," I remark, not wanting to press on the delusional idea that Arthur thought his relationship with his father was anything like what a brother relationship should really be like. They weren't even friends, not really. Friends don't kill each other when shit goes wrong. Arthur pushes the large door open, holding it with a hand to let me in before locking it on the other side. Automatic lights turn on as Arthur walks down the steep stairs into the darkness below and I follow right behind him. At the end of the stairs is another corridor, though this one is pretty short and made of steel walls and dark wood floors. At the end of the corridor is a massive vault door, exactly what I wanted to see. Arthur presses a few buttons to unlock the vault before using his fingerprint to pass the security. When the door scans his face, I know we have a problem. I can copy his fingerprints and the passcode, but not his face. I will have to end this tonight, but I know the plan is set anyway. If I kill Arthur tonight, it’s not going to make a difference. Everything is lost for him. Arthur opens the vault door, which slides automatically to the side and lights switch on as we walk in.

  “Do you like bombs? These boxes are full of them,” Arthur says, placing his hand on one of the wooden boxes. “At the back is a private jewel collection that was stolen from all over the world.”

  “It’s over, Arthur,” I coldly say, and he looks back, his eyes widening in fear at the gun held in my hand, pointed right at him.

  “A few weeks back with your brothers and you are doing their dirty work already?” he asks in disgust. “You’re a son to me, Luke. We can figure something out. You want Emilia? You want anything? I will give you the world, just put the gun down.”

  “They don’t have a clue what is going on, and you can’t give me what I want,” I reply.

  “Then why are you doing this?” he asks.

  “Why?” I say, laughing. “For years, I’ve been doing your dirty work. Your toy to command as you wanted, and you called it affection. You said I was lucky when really, I was doing it to destroy you.”

  “You’re making a mistake, kid,” he spits out. “A bad one that you will pay for.”

  “I’m not a kid,” I say, emotionlessly chuckling. “As we speak, my spies are letting the police into every one of your business around the world, giving them the codes for the vaults and arresting everyone that helped you. It’s over.”

  “You betrayed me,” he gasps, shaking his head. “You Kings are all the same! Betraying little bastards.”

  “Yeah, we are, but you know what the difference between me and my father is?” I ask.

  “What?” he asks as I fire the gun, shooting him in the leg. He falls to the ground, screaming in pain and I quite enjoy seeing him this way. I want to kill him so fucking badly, but it won’t do anything. I’m a better person than he has ever been, and it’s all over.

  “I could pull the trigger and actually kill you,” I say as he stops screaming. “My father attempted it, but I don’t think he ever really meant to kill you. It was all a sick game like he loved to play.”

  “I’m not dead,” he coughs out.

  “No. The police are on their way, and you’ll wish you were. That’s enough for me,” I say, dropping the gun and walking out. I get to the vault door when I hear him laugh, a cackling laugh that makes me look back.

  “I’d rather die.” The words come out from his mouth in almost slow motion as he grabs the gun he crawled to and instead of aiming it at me, he aims at the bombs. I turn and run, knowing there is no way I’ll
get out of here before that bomb explodes. The gun fires as I get to the stairs and a blast from behind me sends me flying, smacking my head on something as I pass out.

  Smoke and fire are everywhere, suffocating me as much as it burns my skin, yet the pain is refreshing. It reminds me that I am alive. There is nothing but swirling smoke above me as the burning parts of the ceiling fall, crashing near my head. The embers graze against my skin, though the pain is almost nothing compared to the rest of my body. It’s ironic to die in a place that looks like hell. I’ve lived in hell for so long, embracing the heavenly moments the last few months have given me, only to die in a place like hell in the end. Life is fucked up like that.

  “LUKE!” I hear my brother scream, his voice panicked, though I can’t move. I can’t call for him. Tell him to get out of here. I did what I planned, and it is all over now. Harley should not be here. All my stubborn brothers should not have followed me. I know dying here is fitting for what I have done. I can feel my jacket on fire, my skin burning and the pain paralyzing me to the spot so I can do nothing but lie here. Suddenly arms are slowly lifting me, making the pain worse as I can’t see who it is that is trying to save me.

  “I just got you back. Your girl is outside, and so is the rest of your family. Don’t you fucking give up on me now, Luke,” Harley voice growls, making me sure it’s him holding me even if I can’t reply.

  “It’s o-over,” I manage to cough out.

  “Yeah it is, but not for us. You are going to live, Luke. I mean it,” Harley says, his words are the last thing I hear as I look up, seeing the fire covered ceiling heading for us, a large chunk on fire falling down through the building. I don’t get time to warn Harley or do anything as it collapses on us, and everything goes black.

  138 Emilia