Page 86 of King of Temptation

My heart breaks a little. Because Leo definitely takes the financial struggle out of my life. “How do you know a guy is right for you?”

My mom shakes her head. “You’re asking me? I’m not exactly an expert.”

I smile, my chin dipping as I get up from the chair to finish making our sandwiches. “Right.”

“But I think you pick the guy that makes you feel best about you.”

I pause over those words because I don’t have to think much to know that no man has ever made me feel more valued and treasured than Leo. And no man has ever made me feel so needed either.

My phone dings where it sits on the table and I glance back, seeing Leo’s name.

I pick it up, swiping the phone open, but the message makes me gasp out a breath…

CHAPTER THIRTY

Leo

A casino is the last fucking place I want to be tonight.

I watched Kim walk out the door this afternoon and it took everything in me not to hold her back. But I have got to stop holding on so tight. It’s one thing to get angry. It’s another to manipulate the people you care about and try to control them. I see the line and I have to learn not to cross it.

That’s what I lost somewhere along the way.

It became this zero-sum game where control was the only thing that mattered. When I really think about, it makes sense.

Losing my dad was this incredible moment where I was in control of nothing. But that can’t extend to the people I care about.

I can’t hold them in place for my own personal gain. It’s not going to work and I’ll only push them all away.

Not that any of this applies to tonight. Because one thing I intend to control fully and completely is my plan to keep my family safe.

Jake and I take my usual booth in the corner at the Diamond Casino, a water sitting in front of me as Jake sips a glass of bourbon. “You’re really drinking tonight?” I say as I take a sip of my Perrier, my bad mood making me dickish.

“Just because you quit doesn’t mean the rest of us have to.”

“I’m not suggesting you quit. Maybe just not drink tonight, considering what we’re here for.”

“Why we’re here is exactly why I need to drink,” Jake snarks back. “I can’t fucking believe I agreed to this. I’m a confirmed bachelor, you know. This is a no-commitment package,” he waves at himself.

I scowl. “Are you sure that’s your choice? Maybe no woman wants your ugly mug.”

He takes a large swallow of his drink. “You’re confusing me with you.”

That hurts more than it should, and I punch his arm hard. He takes the hit with a grunt. “You’ve always had fists like anvils.”

I look down at my phone, checking to see if Kim responded to my text. Still nothing.

I read back through the message I sent her hours ago, telling her how much I loved her. Telling her how I’d quit the clubs and move to New York, be daddy day care if it meant that she’d marry me.

I was hoping for some kind of response.

I let out a frustrated growl. I want my woman back. I don’t care what I have to give of myself to get her back at my side and back in my bed.

“Would you stop sulking over your phone,” Jake grouses. “She’s not calling tonight.”

I set the phone down with more force than necessary. “I know that.”

“Then what are you so pissed about?”

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