“We began our long trek, walking during the day and slumbering at night, forever respectful of the danger we knew existed, but the further we traveled, the weaker we became. We had plenty of water, but we hadn’t eaten for days, and then we came upon a tree with deep orange fruit hanging from its branches, and that’s when Etienne, again, saved us. Through the knowledge he had gained during his endless conversations with the crew, he knew the fruit of the kumbaru was edible, and upon hearing that, our spirits rose. We dove into the fleshy, sweet fruit, the juices running down our chins as we devoured one after another after another, and then discarding all we deemed unnecessary from our sacks, we filled them with our salvation.

“It was about two weeks into our journey when the weather turned foul. The skies grew dark, and the wind became so strong we struggled to stand against it, and then the rain began to fall. It came down in sheets, blinding sheets of water so forceful it stung at our skin like bees, and even under the thickest canopy of the trees, we couldn’t escape it. Branches cracked around us as the wind snapped them like twigs, and we scrambled, swearing under our breath to fight against weather like none we’d ever experienced before, and then over the storm, we heard Etienne call out he’d stumbled upon a cave.”

Max took another taste of his scotch, running his fingers through his hair as he gazed at Bennett. “I apologize for being long-winded, but you asked why the others and I are devoted to a man long since gone, so if you’d like me to continue—”

“Please do,” Bennett said, resting her elbows on her knees. “I want to know, Max. I need to know.”

“Very well,” Max said with a bob of his head. “Then so you shall.”

Max finished what was left in his glass in one swallow, and noticing Bennett had barely touched hers, his lips curved upward just a smidge. Max picked up his phone and punched in a number. “Bring a bottle of Bordeaux to the study, please. Two glasses.”

Less than a minute later, Victor walked in carrying the bottle of wine and two long-stemmed crystal goblets. After filling each with the dark red wine, he turned and left without saying a word.

“My apologies,” Max said, taking his glass. “I sometimes forget my influence on you stopped at liquor.”

Bennett took a sip of her wine before settling back in her chair again. “Yes, but it’s nice to see you keep trying.”