Page 59 of King of Sinners

If I have to identify my brother’s body…

“Roman.” My voice is so rough that it comes out as a growl. I know this shit is hard to say but I need to hear it and then I can start making a plan. Figure out how to bail Leo out of whatever shitstorm in which he’s landed.

“He’s missing.”

I start like I’ve been hit, and Charlotte tightens her hold around me. I squeeze her tighter too, dropping my face into her shoulder and squeeze my eyes shut. Leo can’t be dead. There’s too much to fucking say.

I need to tell him what an asshole he is but also…that he’s my asshole brother and I actually love him no matter what he does.

Charlotte doesn’t say anything, but I realize she’s holding up my weight, her body pressed between me and the counter.

She’s spread her hands out on my back, her chin on my shoulder as she presses a light kiss to my neck.

Every part of her body is comforting me and in that moment some truths are crystal clear. I’ve been wondering how this might end. How I give her up when I want her more and more and the answer is as obvious as a high rise on the strip. I don’t give her up. Ever. Charlotte is the woman meant to be at my side forever.

“Mason?” Roman asks, and I realize I’ve been silent, not saying a word.

“Bring everyone here. Fifteen minutes.”

Roman pauses. “Your apartment? You’re sure you don’t want to go to the conference room at Kincaid?”

“Here.” And then I hang up. I’ve got my reasons, not that I’m articulating them exactly. But I’m not leaving Charlotte alone, and she’s starting to feel like my family. Which means, she’s meeting the family today. Whatever they decide about Leo, about me, Charlotte is part of this.

I’m kissing Charlotte before I’ve even thought it through, my mouth devouring hers like I’m trying to draw some strength from her.

She’s pliant in my arms, giving me everything I need and want, her body molding to me. “Mason,” she whispers between kisses. “I…”

“Don’t say anything. Just kiss me.” I hold her jaw in my hand, looking down into those grey eyes. “I just need you to kiss me, Charlotte.”

She pushes up on her tiptoes, her lips pressing to mine, long and sweet, the pressure of her soft mouth helping to close the tear in my chest. My hand slides to the back of her neck as I taste her over and over like a man dying of thirst. Because I am… At least I’m dying for her.

I pull back and that’s when I see tears shimmering on her lashes. One falls, tracking down her cheek. With my thumb, I brush it away. “Don’t cry.”

She shakes her head. “I’ll never forgive myself if Leo?—”

I cover her mouth with my thumb. “Listen to me. If Leo chose to go shooting off last night, that is not your fault. We’ve all got our father’s demons living inside of us and that is not anything you can control.”

Her lips part as though she might argue. “I never wanted to hurt Leo.”

“Leo’s problem has never been about you, sweetheart. You went out a few times years ago. This has always been about me.”

She looks up at me with wet lashes as another tear slips down her cheek. “That night at the club, I was working my way up to telling him that I didn’t think we should go out again. I’m no good at confrontation but if I’d just said it….”

Has she been beating herself up over hurting Leo? “I know you don’t like confrontation. Your professor aside, you leave a situation before you fight.”

Her eyes widen, but I lean down and kiss her lips. I’m not trying to hurt her with her own truths today. I just want her to understand. “Leo was going to sleep with you and then end it the next day. It’s his modus operandi, right down to bringing you to family dinner. He does it all the time.”

She blinks up at me as I continue, needing her to understand. “Like I said, he’s never been upset about you and none of this is your fault. He’s pissed that I haven’t given him more power at Kincaid Enterprises. You were one small cut in a large gaping wound.”

Her shoulders slump. “That’s good because I would hate myself for getting in between you and your brother. As someone who went without one, I know how important family is in this world. I’d never hurt yours.”

I squeeze her again, kissing her temple. Her words are sweet, and I appreciate them, but even more than that, I realize Charlotte does need a family and that is going to be me.

My phone chimes and I look down to see that Roman has already arrived downstairs.

I push the button to open the elevator, but I don’t let Charlotte go. “How much dinner did you make?”

“Too much,” she answers, a small smile pulling at her mouth. “I can’t seem to cook small.”

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