Page 11 of Knight

How could Marion leave him like this? When I glance towards the parking lot, she’s leaning against a Porsche, laughing with the two men.

“Not from you!” Lea snips. “And it’s nothing he hasn’t abused before. You’ve done enough damage, don’t you think? Christian, get over here.”

He sighs, rubbing my back before he rushes over to Lea. “I’ll help you get him to the car,” he says, grabbing Damien’s other arm. “But we’re gonna take off.” Watching Damien as limp as a stale fry only breaks my heart further. He usually stands tall like the royalty he claims. But today, he seems like he’s drowning in more than just booze.

“Really? You’re staying with her and ditching your best friend?” Lea scoffs. “Today?”

My eyes narrow. She’s right. I want to be there for him. I want to show him that he can’t push me away anymore. I’ve been through this and I’m not leaving Lea to handle this on her own. She had her chance.

Christian glances at me then back at Damien. He parts his lips to answer before I chime in for him. “No worries,” I say. “We’re heading there anyway.”

“We are?” Christian asks, Damien’s head falling on his shoulder.

“Good, you can help me give Charlie Sheen a shower.” Lea hoists Damien’s arm over her head, Christian doing the same.

“Nancy expects us anyway,” Willow sighs and I’m grateful she butts in.

“So, no pizza?” Allie asks.

Nate adjusts his shades before coiling his hair with his finger. “I’m sure King has better food anyway.”

“I guess we’re going to King’s.” Allie’s shoulders drop as Christian tosses her a set of keys. “This should be fan-fucking-tastic.”

Three

“Champagne?”

A man with white gloves and a black vest holds out a golden tray.

“Yes,” Nate takes the entire thing and when the man stares, Nate shoos him away with a wave of his hand. He hands a glass to me and Allie takes her own, all three of us staring around the room.

It seems like everyone left their tears at the cathedral because the King mansion looks like an all-out soiree. People stand around with drinks and food on tiny black napkins, servers in black bowties moving around them. They even have fucking balloons floating to the ceiling.

We’re standing in the front foyer and I’m trying to act normal, like I’m not fucked up, twisted and confused on the inside. The sound of chatter and laughter blends with jazz, the black and white decor only adding to the event’s lavishness.

My body is already on fire standing in this home. The King’s lair. And after eavesdropping on those detectives, something tells me this house has more answers.

“Yes, I am sure King Financial has room for you and your endeavours, Monsieur Banks.” My head turns in the direction of Marion. She flutters out of the kitchen, a huge grin on her face as she leads a man in a grey suit into the living room. She doesn’t even notice us, babbling on about how honoured she is to be taking over the business.

That leaves me with one question. Where’s Damien?

Christian and Lea left with him in his limo but we were too slow to catch up with them on the drive from the church. So I use that as my excuse, tipping the contents of the champagne flute down my throat before I say, “I’m gonna find Christian.” The champagne is smooth and sweet, another contrast to this day. Taking another glass from Nate’s tray, I look at my sister. “Can you keep an eye on Nancy? She’s bitter today and I can’t deal.” Willow nods before I look at Allie and Nate. “And can you guys keep an eye on Willow?”

My sister nudges me as Allie answers, “Yeah, of course.”

I down another glass before I give her a weak smile and take off up the stairs. It’s quieter when I reach the top, but when I listen for the sound of Damien, Lea or Christian, I get nothing. Despite the jovial party happening downstairs, the vibe here feels different. It’s still clean and glamorous, but it feels … empty.

“Christian?” I call, moving past obscure paintings. My eyes land on the gold plaque beside two black double doors. “Sebastien King.”

I never did get to check out what’s in there. Last time, Damien proved to be a big distraction. And a big pain in my ass. This might be the last chance I have to see if his dad knew anything about my parents.

As I think about moving inside, Damien’s words are still loud in my head.

It wasn’t an accident.

With the amount of time Sebastien spent around Cindy, my gut tells me there’s something he knows. Taking one last look around, I divert from my original mission, pushing on the handle.

It opens.

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