Page 142 of Kingmakers, Year Two

“I’ll be fine,” she says.

Cat always tells me the truth. But there’s something in her face I don’t like. Something unspoken. Something weighing on her.

I hold her hand in both of mine, looking at her closely.

“You know you can tell me anything,” I say.

Cat’s eyes meet mine for just a moment and then drop to our linked fingers as she shrugs and says, “Sure. Of course.”

“And you can call me every day . . . I’m sure Miles can get you a phone.”

“Sundays will be fine,” Cat says, squeezing my hand in return. Then, deciding that’s not enough, she leans forward and hugs me. “I love you, Zo. You deserve happiness. You always did.”

“We both do,” I tell her.

Cat nods without answering.

Miles sets fresh drinks in front of each of our seats.

“What did I miss?” He asks.

“Dance with me and I’ll tell you,” I say.

“I love that offer,” he says, already pulling me to my feet.

He takes me in his arms, swaying me in that smooth, fluid way that seems to bend the music around us, as if the rhythm follows us instead of the other way around.

I look up into his eyes.

“I’m coming with you,” I say. “Whenever you want.”

“Good,” Miles grins. “ ‘Cause I already bought your ticket.”

Dean has naughty plans for Cat… →

CAT

After a long and achingly sweet summer in Chicago, I’m boarding the ship to Kingmakers once more.

The reality of my situation is crashing down on my shoulders.

It was easy to forget how much trouble I’m in when Iwas whiling away the hours sightseeing with Zoe and Miles, and Miles’s little brother Caleb.

I never imagined I could be treated so well as a guest. The Griffins embraced me like one of their own, even though it’s Zoe who will marry into their family, not me.

They took care of my every need, ferrying me around the city, buying me delicacies and souvenirs, making sure I was never bored, lonely, or lacking for the smallest thing.

I shut out the memory of what I had done at Kingmakers.

I pretended to belong among the Griffins, like Chicago had always been my home.

But now it’s all over.

I returned to my father’s house in Barcelona for one dull week before packing my bags again.

My father was in the best mood I’ve ever seen him. The deal he struck with Miles Griffin has surpassed all his wildest dreams in the sheer volume of money pouring into his account. That was the bargain: Miles’s dark web drug pipeline in exchange for Zoe. Miles has made my father and his associates into very rich men.

As a small sweetener, Miles stipulated that my father refrain from coercing me into any unwanted marriage contracts. My father has upheld his end of the bargain: he left me alone my entire week in Spain, not even demanding that I accompany him and my stepmother Daniela to any of their tedious parties.

---