Chess- Part I

The Stonewall Attack

Archer surveyed the room, his gaze moving from one person to the next, never lingering too long on one specific face. He knew so much about each member of this family, and yet he knew he was entering an area full of potentially unpredictable behavior. His gaze settled on the man to his left, the Prince, Nikolas Cassadine and waited patiently. Although chesterfields and wingback chairs littered the well-lit room in a relaxed manner, there was a clear design to the layout. The chair Nikolas sat in differed from the rest in size and stature. It was the darkest piece in the warm, inviting sitting room. The chair closest to him was where Andresj sat quietly, his demeanor serious but relaxed ready to turn his attention should Nikolas require it. Stefan sat at a nearby chesterfield, his wife Faith at his side and they shared a few hushed words with Matvei, Nikolas’s eldest child. The boy glanced at his father while he listened intently to what his Great Uncle was telling him. Faith’s arm was loosely twined with Stefan’s, her gaze drifting back to the lone Ronan Cassadine who occupied a dark mahogany chair, nursing a drink with an inscrutable expression. Alexis and Kristina claimed another chesterfield near the windows, both studiously wearing polite, but strained expressions. Other than the few guards, the only two family members standing were Marcus Tagger and Jack Bauer. Both men wore suspicious expressions, muttering one word messages to each other as their eyes roved the room, neither able to stifle their training. Sabrina moved freely in the room, sharing a gentle laugh with Nikolas’ wife before moving to squeeze Alexis’ shoulder.

Nikolas rose and instantly, all attention was on him. Dark orbs studied the room briefly before he addressed his family. “Thank you all for coming so shortly. I give Archer the floor.” His voice was calm, quiet and regal and despite handing the room over to Archer, it was abundantly clear, as always, that he remained in charge.

Archer rose and inclined his head respectfully to Nikolas. “Thank you Nikolas for allowing me this opportunity to speak to the family at large.” Nikolas gave a short nod before sitting again, his attention focused on Archer, as he expected everyone else in the room to mirror.

Archer turned back to the crowd, his countenance settling for a moment on Alexis. “You all know who I am.” He let the words sink in for a few beats. “My apologies for not introducing myself personally to each of you.”

His eyes moved once more, this time to Sabrina. She arched a brow and inwardly he smiled. This gesture, he had anticipated. “My Mother, unfortunately, had a prior engagement and sends her regrets.” The temperature in the room dropped a few degrees. It was cheek, and his boldness did not go unnoticed or unrewarded as Faith’s eyes narrowed and Marcus’s arms crossed in front of him. Sabrina, Stefan and Alexis did not waver an inch and without looking, he knew Andresj and Nikolas mirrored their expressions. The younger ones, Kristina and Matvei, shifted uncomfortably, their youth and inexperience at play.

“I am however delighted to make a formal announcement that will tie this family even closer together.” Ronan took a small sip of his drink, sensing the anticipation in the room.

“I am very pleased to accept the Prince’s offer as a senior board member of Cassadine Industries, and the new CEO of Cassadine Technologies, based out of London, England.”

Ronan’s brows shot up with great interest. Becoming a senior board member was a great honor in the family. It took one several years before even being short listed for such a position. CEO of Cassadine Technologies was another surprise, when most were certain that Faith Cassadine would be bestowed such a lucrative responsibility. He wondered just how Archer had been able to secure himself not one, but two inner circle seats to the family.

Nikolas rose and extended his hand, allowing a small, controlled smile to etch into his usually serious expression. Archer took it and as a murmur filled the room, clapping began, first by one and soon joined by others. Nikolas flicked his head at an assistant hovering nearby. “New portfolios can be found with Talia, please take one before you leave and become familiar with the changes inside.”

With that he headed towards the doors leading out the hallway. Matvei bounced from his seat, eager to move, and rushed to his mother as she took her husband’s hand and they left the room, the guards studiously at their heels.

“Well, shit.” Sabrina’s tone was both resigned and unhappy. Her eyes were on Faith, who rose regally with Stefan and departed the room quietly. Although her demeanor did not indicate it, Sabrina and Alexis both knew their friend had been shaken by the announcement. Other family members gravitated towards Archer, peppering him with praise and warm wishes, clearly shining up to someone who had more power than they did.

“What just happened there?” Marcus huffed out. “Who the fuck is this guy and why is he Nikolas’s new best friend?”

“Did you know this was going to happen?” Sabrina queried Alexis, who shook her head. “Nikolas gave me no indication he was making this kind of decision.” She furrowed her brow suspiciously as she gazed at Archer.

Jack placed his hands on Sabrina’s shoulders, giving them a gentle massage, his warm hands settling her irritation somewhat at ease. “It’s a power play,” he stated. “Nikolas strikes me as a man who is not easily swayed. Archer must have quite the Ace if he’s won a pot this big.”

Sabrina, feeling restless, stood before sharing a quick kiss with her husband. “I’m going to talk to Dre,” she said as she made a beeline for the younger man who was now deep in a conversation on his phone. Sabrina approached, and without hesitation, took the phone from Andresj’ hand and marched out the doors leading to the garden. Andresj had little choice but to follow.

Kristina casually swayed around the room, her eye on another prize.

Ronan.

This time, she took painstaking moves to approach him without raising the alarm of anyone who might object.

Alexis rose from her seat and crossed the room, catching Archer’s eye as she moved by the fireplace. She bussed him on the cheek. “Congratulations,” she offered. “I didn’t know you were so ambitious,” she stated wryly. Archer shrugged, though there was a swagger of sorts to his movements.

“You took us by surprise,” she added. Archer’s mouth quirked into a grin, but his expression conveyed a more serious tone.

“Good,” he replied cryptically. “I think you’ll find I’m full of surprises.”

“Just like your Mother?” Alexis asked evenly. Archer stilled at the implication.

“No,” he said slowly. “Just like a Cassadine.”

Sitting Room

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