Page 56 of War

“It doesn’t matter.”She slips from her stool and plants her lips on my cheek.“Single suits me better anyway.”

“Where are you going?”I call after her retreating form.

“It’s dinnertime for Keg.”

“You’re always using that cat as an excuse to avoid conversation,” I scoff.Pushing the beer bottle away, I flag over the prospect acting as bartender tonight.“Can I have a water, please?”

He leans over the bar, putting his hand behind his ear despite it not being crowded or noisy in here tonight.“What was that?”

“A water,” I repeat.His brow tugs in confusion, but he nods.Rolling my eyes, I scan the room, startling when Monster comes to sit beside me.He places a pizza box on the bar top and lifts the lid, gesturing with his chin for me to take a slice.

The heat drains from my body.“Thanks.”Delicious aromas waft up with the steam billowing from the melted cheese, attacking my senses.I pull a piece out and rest it on the napkin meant for my beer.“I didn’t see Tim come in with them,” I say, shifting on my stool.

“He dumped and ran off with Kitty.”My mouth parts, and I turn to look at the exit.

Unbelievable.

“I wanted to make sure things were good with us.”His gaze burns into the side of my face.I shake my head, attempting to gather my thoughts with my nerves jumping in my pulse.

“There’s no mercy for crimes against the Kings, right?”I repeat the words Callan said to Larkin’s son before killing him.God, it feels like another lifetime.

“Without consequence, there’s just chaos,” Monster states.“But you knew him, so I’m sorry that had to happen—that you had to see it.”I look into his eyes, finding only sincerity.

“I’ve seen my fair share of red lately.”I sigh.“It sucks that this is how it ends.I wonder what my dad would make of it all—of me being here, being a King.”

“You belong here.And who knows.If he were around, maybe he would too.”He stands, taking the pizza box into his hand.“We good?”he asks, his heavy beard moving with his actions.

“We’re good.”I bite into my slice and nod my head.

The prospect places my glass of water on the bar and scratches his head.“You did mean just tap water, right?Not tonic?”

“Yes, thank you.”I take a sip and finish my slice.Grease enters the bar and taps Cutter on the shoulder, jerking his chin toward the exit.I bite the inside of my cheek, watching them leave together.Slipping off my stool, I make my way to Callan’s office, relieved the door is open.My mood instantly shifts, the pizza turning sour in my stomach, when Georgina moves into view.Her slender frame is encased in a white dress that flows around her like liquid.Her dark hair loose and stark against the white fabric.

Callan’s gaze cuts across her head to my approach, and she follows his stare, the corner of her mouth curling.I stop abruptly when she slams the door closed, sending a gust of air into my face.I’m so past playing her high school mean-girl bullshit.

A second later, the door opens, and Callan stands there.“Out,” he orders her.

“Callan…” She places a hand on her chest, her mouth forming anO.

“I warned you about this shit, Georgina.If you can’t play nice, stay the fuck away.”

The fake hurt vanishes with a deathly sneer.“We’ll see who’s staying away when Jericho is home.”Storming past Callan she slows when she’s beside me.Folding her arms, she leans into me, a smug smile eclipsing the sneer.“Your days are numbered.”

Her words crash over me, the tide rushing in and pummeling me against the jagged rocks.

“Georgina,” I call after her as she saunters down the hall.“Your desperation is showing.”She doesn’t look back or retort.

Callan exhales, throwing his hands up in exasperation before resting them on his hips.“She’s been to see my dad.”

“That’s a bold move,” I say, moving closer to him and only stopping when I inhale his scent.

Pulling me into his arms, he rests his chin on my head.“She’s known him a long time.”

“Well, she’s not wrong about him wanting me to stay away.”

“She doesn’t know shit.”

He releases me and strides back into his office.Sinking into the chair behind the desk, his eyes flick between the monitors flashing videos from cameras around the compound.

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