My blood goes cold, and I focus on my lap. Dad’s stare is steady, his expression neutral, not a lick of anger or disappointment anywhere in him. Just pure curiosity.
The funeral was the last time my dad and I acknowledged Sylvie’s passing away. He put his arm around me during the service, and that’s the most comfort I’ve gotten from him since.
My dad has guided me since I was born, but he never once sent me to find out who killed her the way he has with the rat. He left it up to me, believing I’d want to avenge her and not need his command. Xavier believed incorrectly.
He, like everyone else, continues wondering why I never sought to avenge my fiancée’s death. And what do they all have in common?
No one has the guts to flat-out ask me.
With a gruff sigh, he leans across the desk. “You have little to say these days, King.”
I chuckle dryly. “You sound like Rip.”
“I’m sure I do. You understand your job with him and Thomas is not pointless, right?’
I lift my head. “I know it’s good for the business. Just not seeing how it’s doing much for me.”
“You’re going to film with them in a little while, yes?” he asks. I nod, and he smirks like I proved his point. “You don’t run before you can walk.”
My brows narrow. Fuck is that supposed to mean? I’d appreciate it if he didn’t speak in riddles.
“I’m glad to see you getting back into the life. You are my heir, after all.”
He pulls out his non-decorative liquor from the desk drawer. “And I need you to know something: you don’t need to prove your capabilities to anyone, family or not. Just prove thatyou’reworth it, and the Crowncrest will follow, no matter what you did or didn’t do in the past.”
My heart swells at the hint of pride in Dad’s tone. He doesn’t think I’m a full-blown failure? That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. Just one problem.
How do I prove myself when I’m not sure I’m worth proving?
Would Sylvie think I’m worth proving? If she were here, she’d throw my question right back at me.“I don’t know, King.Are you worth proving?”And then I’d complain about her giving me advice in the form of a question, and she’d do it again an hour later.
That sums up what our brief relationship was like.
I glance at the clock. Shit, I need to get ready to meet Rip and Thomas. We all know Rip’s head might implode if I’m even three minutes late.
The chair scrapes on the floor when I stand. “Dad, can you run another background check on Rip and Thomas?”
Dad blinks, thrown off by the question. “We did before we hired them. Why? Did something happen?”
I didn’t tell anyone else about my potential spotting of Rip at Fight Club after Shawn and the others couldn’t find him. Now with him on my mind, and the way things have been between us lately, I want to be extra sure it isn’t him.
“I thought I saw them when I was in the arena.”
His expression morphs grimly. “Were they there?”
“Doesn’t look like it, but I’d like another background search just in case.”
“Great. I’ll send someone on it, but you make sure they aren’t who you think they are,” Dad states firmly, and I give a soldier’s nod. I’m headed for the door when he speaks again. “And, King?”
I peer over my shoulder. “Yeah, Dad?”
His lip quirks into a sly grin. “I heard Victor wants a rematch.”
15
Rip
“Your stance says… please kill me now,” Thomas remarks, adjusting the camera to capture Kingsley more effectively.
