Page 24 of By His Rule

I want to argue. I’ve got a shit ton of work to do, but I know that when Kingston is in this mood, I’ve got very little choice but to agree.

There are times you can attempt to say no to him, and this isn’t one of them.

“Sure,” I mutter, turning my monitor off before grabbing my cell and jacket. I’ll message Kenzie back on the way. “Lead the way, boss.”

One drink while we discussed business quickly turned into four, maybe five, possibly even six or seven.

However many it is, it’s safe to say that they hit Kingston hard after his sleepless night.

I can count on one hand how many times I’ve seen my big brother drunk; he likes to treat his body like a temple, but it seems that tonight is one of them.

“Fucking hell.” I laugh as he catches his foot as he attempts to climb out of the car and flies toward a very unprepared-looking Lewis.

“Whoa,” Lewis grunts, just managing to catch Kingston before he takes both of them down.

“Come on, you drunken imbecile,” I tease as I wrap my hand around his upper arm and drag him toward the elevator. “Tate is going to rip me a new one for this. It wasn’t even my idea,” I point out. “Lewis, any chance you could hang around to take me home?” I ask over my shoulder.

“Of course, sir,” he agrees with a smile.

The car rises through the building as Kingston attempts to tell me that he’s fine and barely even drunk.

It’s funny. I just hope that Tate will see it the same way.

“She loves me,” he slurs when I say just as much. “She’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, we’ll see.” I snort as I throw his front door open and shove him through it.

The second I step inside, a loud, angry voice hits my ears.

“Yeah, well, he’s a fucking asshole.”

Instantly, my hackles rise.

I know that voice.

I heard it only a few hours ago.

“And he just sat there staring at me as if he owns the fucking world. It was unbelievable.”

“What’s going on?” Kingston slurs, storming toward the living area faster than his legs should be able to move in his condition. “Oh hey, Lorelei. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

I cringe hard, and it only gets worse when Tatum announces, “Oh really? So my message letting you know that she was here didn’t give you any kind of clue?”

“Fuck my life,” I mutter under my breath, a beat before rounding the corner and making my presence known. “Good evening, Tate,” I say happily before turning my eyes on Lorelei. She’s still wearing the same black dress as she was for her interview, although she’s lost her jacket, allowing me to see just how fitted it really is. Her hair is wild, as if she’s spent every minute since she left the Callahan building running her fingers through it. Her cheeks are flushed red and her eyes are burning like a wildfire.And on her lap sits my favorite fur ball.

Griz’s eyes light up at the sight of me, and she launches herself from Lorelei and straight into my arms.

As I drop my gaze to Griz, Lorelei’s stare burns into the side of my head.

She might be as drunk as King is, but that hasn’t lessened her anger at all.

She’s furious, and the knowledge that I’ve affected her so much lights something up inside me.

6

LORELEI

Anger continues to simmer just beneath the surface.

---