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Stepping through the door, I come face-to-face with the most glorious looking man I have ever seen before. He is all chiseled muscles and sharp angles. This is King. The man who brings nightmares to life. I smile, shoving my fears down deep. King’s gaze travels up my body as he steps closer. By the time his eyes lock on mine, it feels as if I’m standing here exposed, a chill licking my skin. It’s as if he’s taking in everything about me and cataloging it all, from the way I stand to the placement of my arms and my hands. His gaze tracks every movement of my body, from the breath leaving my lungs to the pass of my gaze over him.
“I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure. Nolan, is it? Nolan Pierce.”
He knows. He knows everything. The walls close in around me. Terror seizes my voice. I can’t get out of this. Somehow, he learned of me, and he’s here to tell my father. That’s what was so urgent. That’s why my father abandoned our lunch to rush here. When King demands your presence, you appear.
I give myself two breaths to completely lose it internally, and then I do what I do best. I fake it.
“Ah, so this is the King I’ve heard so much about.” I let my eyes travel up the length of him the same way he did me, meeting his gaze head on, and shrug. “I expected... more, I suppose.”
My father freezes in place, glancing between us, more than likely expecting King to slit my throat right then and there, but he won’t. I might not know him well, but I’ve always been good at reading people. The King likes a challenge. And I have just issued him one he won’t be able to deny. It might be the only thing that saves me now.
He hides his shock better than most. I only see it because I’m looking for it. Then he grins, and any upper hand I thought I might have crumbles at the cold, calculating look in his eyes.
“This won’t take long,” King says, facing my father once again.
“Right. Of course,” he stammers. “Nolan, would you mind?” Dad asks with a nod to the door.
I meet King’s gaze one last time before stepping out and closing the door behind me.
Chapter Two
KING
She’s not what I was expecting. If I were a weaker man, I’d say I had underestimated her. I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge, and that’s exactly what she issued. Make no mistake, she knew exactly what I was there for, but she refused to cower down. I’ll be damned if that didn’t give me pause.
No, this way is so much better. It’s been so long since I had this kind of fun. Run away, little one. Run far and wide. But know this, no matter where you go, you won’t ever be able to hide.
When I step out of the office building, Cole falls into step beside me. “Is the tail in place?” I only had minutes to make the order when I learned Nolan was dining with her father and subsequently following him back here after my call. Luckily, my men are used to working on short notice.
“Yes, sir. He’s remained a safe distance away but reports she went into Joe’s and is tossing back shots of tequila like her life depends on it.”
“It very well may.” The grin I offer is nothing short of a threat. Cole’s face blanches, but he recovers quickly.
“How would you like me to proceed?” he asks.
“Call everyone back. I’ll deal with her myself.” Turning, I eye the street, calculating how long it will take me to reach her.
“Sir?” he asks.
I narrow my eyes, turning to face Cole once again. “Did you not understand the order or are you questioning it altogether?”
“Neither, sir. I’ll make the call,” he says, raising his cell to his ear. I don’t wait for confirmation that he did as told.
It takes less than five minutes to reach the establishment. If you can even call it that. It’s more a hole in the wall, one of the last places I ever would’ve imagined Miss Prim and Proper frequenting.
After easing myself into a booth in the back corner, I wave down a lady with more red lipstick than wrinkles on her skin and order a beer to sip while I watch. I used to do this a lot more, before. Now, I have others to do the watching for me and report on their findings. Nolan leans against the bar, one hand delicately holding the shot glass. The bartender refills it after she tosses the amber liquor back, quietly saying something to her. When she responds, he glances down the bar and grins at man sitting there.
Sitting in the back, I watch for a few more minutes to see what the two will do, content to watch it play out, but when the man at the end of the bar stands, I find myself standing too. I reach Nolan right before him. My lip curls as his gaze meets mine, the act more threatening than friendly. He takes a step back then turns to the bartender. I place my hand on her shoulder. It’s a testament to the amount of alcohol she has consumed in such a short time that she doesn’t even flinch.
She turns to me, a little wobbly but every bit of the conceited female I met earlier. “Come to collect, King?” she slurs.
The bar quiets as I cut a glance to the bartender. He backs away, his skin almost white, his eyes wide. There’s not much to be said about the name I inherited, but it damn sure could clear a room. The thought brings me back to the woman in front of me, a woman who knows exactly how much influence the name holds and has been using it for her own gain. A problem I planned to rectify today.
She closes her eyes and sways on the stool, reaching out and placing her hands against my chest to steady herself. I’ve killed people for less. But for some reason, I can’t bring myself to chastise her. Not here. Not now.
“Get your stuff. We’re leaving,” I growl.
She stands without argument, her legs giving out beneath her. I wrap my arm around her waist, saving her from hitting the filthy floor. I half walk, half carry her outside and place her in the back seat of the car waiting out front.
