Page 78 of Slay King

What-the-fuck-ever. She had no idea how sweet Rumor’s pussy was.

“You look like you’re about to face a lifetime sentence. At least try and smile.”

“This is the best I can do,” I replied.

“Look, I’m as ready for this to be over as you are. I thought it would be more fun, but I hadn’t been aware you’d become … this.”

Rumor laughed at something Luella, Roland’s wife, said, and my chest tightened. I wanted to be close enough to hear that sound. I’d upset her when she got here, and it had taken a while for her to relax again. It wasn’t like I could help it. She’d arrived, touching Sebastian and looking like an angel.

My angel.

“All the guests have arrived,” Jefferson informed us. “Scotlin, go with your mother to mingle with the guests. King, I need a word with you.”

I didn’t want to leave the room. That meant I couldn’t see Rumor.

I tore my eyes off her to look at him. “Now?”

He nodded.

“Can it not wait until this is over? I should be here if anything out of place happens.” Meaning so I could protect Rumor and get her the fuck out.

“The room is well secured,” he replied. “This can’t wait.”

I looked at Sebastian, willing him to meet my gaze. He was too engrossed in a conversation with one of Scotlin’s cousins to notice. Fuck. I’d be quick. She was fine. Right now, she had Sebastian at her side, and Storm was only a few feet away.

“Okay,” I clipped, turning to follow him from the ballroom.

He continued walking until we reached the study, then opened the door, stepping back for me to enter before closing it behind us. For his sake, I hoped he wasn’t about to correct me for watching Rumor. I didn’t give a flying fuck who he was. I’d watch her if I wanted to. She was mine. No one was telling me otherwise.

“How do you know this Rumor Beauregard?”

My jaw clenched. “She’s mine.”

His eyes widened. “I see. But where did she come from? She’s not from our circle.”

“Why?” I bit out, deciding on how I could kill the next governor of Georgia and hide it.

His eyes narrowed. “I have my sources, King. I can very easily go get your father and ask him these questions. I chose you as a sign of respect since it was very clear she belonged to you. You’ve yet to stop watching her since she arrived.”

Count to fucking ten. Don’t break the man’s neck.

“Rumor was brought to Maeme’s and kept under our protection. I don’t see how this affects you at all.”

“She’s not from Georgia then?” he asked.

I shook my head. I’d walk out of here if the man’s interest in what was mine didn’t raise the hairs on my neck. She shouldn’t be on his radar, and I would be damned if he started asking around about her.

“You can either tell me about her or I can have a background check done. I have my reasons for asking these questions.”

“Because I am engaged to your daughter for the moment? That’s not a reason, Jefferson. That’s you poking your nose where it doesn’t belong. Our job is to get Scotlin’s stalker. Protect you and your family’s name and make sure you are the next governor. That is where it ends. You aren’t family. Rumor is.”

The shocked expression on his face at the last part annoyed me. This entire fucking situation was pissing me off.

“She’s family now?”

“Yes,” I snarled, unable to control the rage he’d ignited inside my chest.

“I see. That makes this even more of an issue. I need to know where she came from.”

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