How dare he speak so ill of the dead woman I was supposed to marry? It was common knowledge that Shawn never cared for Sylvie, and others weren’t exactly her biggest fans, but they knew better than to voice it. Besides, none of them knew her like I did. He has no right to speak her name.
Sylvie often took her anger out on me with words. Our relationship was never loving, but it was protective and caring. At the end of the day, she was to be my wife, which meant putting her above everyone, even if it screwed me over in the end.
Silence lingers between us. Shawn and Mateo are watching me like they’re waiting for a cannon that’s about to blow because when I’m not feeling anything, I’m feelingeverything.
“Sorry, King,” Shawn grits through his teeth. He would rather swallow a bag of knives than apologize, so when he actually does, it means he overstepped.
I want to stay pissed, but stewing in anger won’t be any help. I swallow the lump in my throat.
“I’m going to find who took Ryland,” I say slowly, enunciating each word clearly. “Just like I’ll find the traitor.”
“And if it turns out to be your new buddy?” Mateo asks the million-dollar question.
Shawn waits for my answer, feigning indifference while steeling himself for what I’ll say. I look down at my lap, fingers fiddling with each other. With all the time I’ve wasted searchinghigh and low for the asshole and coming up with nothing each time, the answer is clear.
“Then I’ll kill him. Just like I would anyone else.”
Or maybe I’ll take myself out first.
?After spending the day wasting my time with interrogations and the entire evening with Shawn and Mateo like old times, I’m ready to call it a night. My entire body aches as if burning, and my mind is a whirlwind of countless thoughts. Sleep is the only thing that’ll silence it.
But when I enter the house, there are people in my living room.
Dad is in mid-conversation when he spots me, stands up, and waves me over. “Kingsley. Just the man we’re looking for.”
Rip and Thomas are sitting with my dad on the couch, drinks on the table, probably having some sort of meeting. That is the only reason these two are ever in my home, which is more often than any other employee of ours. Isn’t that what an office is for?
I don’t bother sitting. “What’s up?”
“You know about the charity event, right?”
Besides the art gala with an old family friend, I thought my next few weeks were gathering free. “No?”
“We have a large charity event we’ll all be attending next week. Me and your mom, your sisters, your uncle and cousin—all of us,” he explains. “I thought Odette told you.”
I resist the large sigh brewing in my chest. I’ve had my fair share of classy events for the next few months. Hell, I took for granted the year of my life I spent away from all of this.
“With everything going on lately, it slipped my mind,” I say.
“That makes sense.” Father nods. “We’ve been to this one a few times before. Many other families will be there, as we’re all donating a sizeable chunk of money to the New Horizon and Recovery Charity for recovering addicts. It’ll be a lovely event.”
I’m still not seeing the reason Rip and Thomas are here.
Rip is already looking my way when I turn. He scrutinizes me from head to toe, his gaze like an intimate touch, sending a jolt through my body. Damn, I shouldn’t focus on him.
I shift my eyes away from the blonde man, hoping to find some distraction in Thomas, but he’s staring intently at the ground. He’s nervously fiddling with his fingers, like either something’s bothering him, or he has to piss real bad. I don’t know which one.
“The Wright boys will tag along for professional photos and advertisements.” Dad’s voice pulls me back to reality. “Not only for us, but for the Moonclafs, Crenshaws, and everyone else.”
“Don’t we have paparazzi and reporters for unsolicited pictures?”
“We’re doing a segment with those who have benefited from the charity,” Rip answers. “So it’ll take some professionalism and coordination.”
Oh, fun. Now, not only do I have to go to a charity event, but I also have to put on a smile for a video.
“Sounds awesome,” I say with as much enthusiasm as I can muster.
Dad slaps his legs as he stands. “That’s all I have for you, Rip and Thomas. I’ll see you both next time.”
