Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
It was clear to see Ray was uncomfortable. “I named him Zach. I didn’t get a chance with the other.”
Huisman tsked. “I’m talking about the family name. It means something. Women are vessels to be used and discarded. They are pawns for their fathers to move around and strengthen his family line. Your sons do not have your name. One has the name of his vessel and the other carries a stronger man’s name.”
Ray’s eyes narrowed. “He ain’t stronger than me.”
A low chuckle came from Huisman. “I assure you Alexander McKay has better control over his family than you do, my friend, though he was only able to produce one weak girl child. His sons all came from other men.”
“Who hurt you?” Devi knew this was a mistake, but the words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. “I mean as a child, because it’s clear you have problems. Was your mother a terrible person?”
Huisman went still. Preternaturally still, and Devi braced for an attack.
And then he took a long breath and sat back. “My mother was a whore. After my father was murdered, I was sent to live with her for a brief time before my grandfather took control. She was far more interested in finding a man than in being a mother. In the short time I was with her, she brought in three different men.”
Ah, that’s who physically hurt him. It was apparent there was all kinds of psychological harm, too. “I’m sorry you went through that. There’s nothing worse than a chaotic childhood.”
One side of his mouth turned up. “Is that how you’re playing me, Devon?”
Now she was going to be honest with him. “I’m not playing at all. I’m simply trying to understand the man who will likely kill me.”
“Well, at least you’re realistic. And my childhood prepared me for the real world. While my mother was absent, at best, those men she clung to taught me a lot about how the world works. Only the strong survive, and the ideas placed in the heads of humans about building communities and families are constructed by those who wish to pretend the world is something it is not. For far too long smart men have allowed the weak to rule, have allowed the idea that independence makes us equal. I’m going to show the world that this is not true. It was better when we had a king to rule us.”
She knew where he wanted to put the crown. “I suppose you’re the king.”
“Of course. I mean I can’t rule the entire world by myself. I’ve picked my dukes and vassals from my brethren. When this is done, we’ll carve up the world and it will be a calmer place. Imagine an end to wars and famine. Well, unless a famine is required to remind the slaves of their place.”
She was sitting with a madman. “Since I’m probably not going to be around to see this new world order, tell me, how are you going to accomplish it?”
He seemed to think about it for a moment and then leaned toward her, an unholy light in his eyes. “I’m going to start a war in Asia and watch the world burn. Once I get the right bombs, I’m going to deploy them over select Asian cities to deliver a deadly form of anthrax. I believe with the proper use of Ms. Reed’s bombs, we can take out fifty percent of the population of Bangkok in moments. The same with Taipei and Kathmandu.”
Ray clapped his hands together like he was going to enjoy the carnage. “I can’t wait to see that.”
Devi was confused. “But won’t that make everyone mad at you?”
Huisman waved the thought off. “Oh, they won’t think it’s me. I’ve already started several rumors in intelligence circles that the Chinese are planning something big. The Chinese government was more than happy to work with the Huisman Foundation and later with Disrupt Asia. It gave us access to certain systems that got us into other systems. They use artificial intelligence a lot in China. Sometimes it’s about taking over control. When the attacks occur, a broadcast will go out. The president of the People’s Republic of China will take credit for the attacks. The deep fake is chef’s kiss. Truly remarkable. Along with all the data and files I’ve planted deep in their systems, the world will have no choice but to attack China.”
And the world would explode. “When are you going to use the nukes? I suspect you have control of those, too.”
“I have a few of my own,” he admitted. “Those systems are harder, but I assure you I can make it look like it came from China. You know I don’t actually have to send a nuclear warhead to say, Washington, DC. I only have to make it look like it’s coming.”