My mother! I give a belligerent sigh thinking of her. She visited me last night and I wish she hadn’t. She threw words like role and responsibility, title and power at me without a concern that her only living son was just recovering from a terrible accident that had caused him to lose a big part of his memory. And now she’s trying to maneuver me through Celia. After ignoring me for most of my life, if she expects to run it now, now that I am the Duke; she’s going to be highly disappointed. Throughout my growing years, my parents only had eyes for David, their heir. Now David isn’t there, but I am, and the one thing I know about myself is that I will never let my mother control me ever.

I level an icy glare at Celia. “Please leave.”

“But I wanted to meet you. I lied because I wanted to see for myself that you are okay.”

“As you can see, I’m fine.”

“I heard about your memory loss. I’d like to help...”

I can’t believe that after the act she pulled she has the gall to offer me aid. I shake my head. “I want you to go, Celia.”

Her face reddens and she storms out, shutting the door behind her with a loud bang.

“Thank God that wasn’t true,” I repeat aloud.

“Celia only knows how to cause destruction wherever she goes. Tread wisely with her, Damien. She’s grown worse over the years.”

I suddenly remember something that Celia said. “Why have you put security measures around me? What’s going on and what have you not told me?”

He looks into the distance, as if contemplating something. The dark smudges under his eyes stand out against his pale complexion. He looks bone tired; his dark hair is overly long and thick stubble covers his usually smooth jaw.

“Gabe,” I call out, “thanks mate for everything you’ve done! I am grateful to you.”

He gives me a warm smile. “You would have done the same for me, so no thanks needed.”

I nod, because it is true. I’d do anything for him. He is one of my closest friends and I trust him more than anyone.

“Anyway, I have something for you to hear,” he says. Gabe hands me his cell phone and puts it on speaker.

“Gabriel, it’s me Damien.” My eyes snap to him as my own voice drifts up through the phone along with the background sounds of cars and honking.

“My father and brother...they...they were murdered. I think I may have stumbled upon something. They were mixed up in something horrible, Gabe. Someone is threatening to destroy the Kittridge line and I have a hunch who it is. Gabriel, promise me to protect...”