Page 78 of Knights Game

“Anyway, that’s not what I wanted to speak to you about,” Robert says. “We have Cheltenham this week. We will all be there Saturday. Join us?”

“I’ll have to check on a few things. But I’m sure I can make an appearance,” I reply evenly. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to my date.”

“Bring her next weekend. She’s more than welcome. It’s the women as well.”

I nod and turn away, but John’s hand clamps down on my shoulder.

“Don’t be stupid, Luca—Joanna and Layla are fine together. Look.” I follow his gaze and the pair are propping up the bar. Layla’s head is tipped back as she laughs; Joanna’s gripping her elbow the pair of them with two empty shot glasses in front of them.

The red mist descends.

I’m going to fucking kill her.

“Excuse me a minute,” I reply, anger coursing through my veins. I cross the busying hall, navigating the people smoothly, shaking hands and making quick small talk, then excusing myself. The temptress would have had another shot by the time I get there at this rate.

Fuck me.

“Luca Knight.”

I come face to face with a blast from my past.

“Owen fucking King.” He grips my hand, and I pull him into a manly hug, patting each other’s back. He pulls back, his green eyes full of intelligence, his face in a smirk.

“Cooper. Remember.”

“You may have changed your name friend, but you will always be King to me.”

“I’ve been meaning to thank you—” I hold up my hand and shake my head. “No thanks needed.”

“All legitimate?”

I raise my eyebrow at him, “Do I look like an idiot?”

“Do you want me to answer that question honestly?” He laughs and the rich sound takes me back to our time together in Wandsworth Prison.

“I still think you're mad. Politicians are vultures.”

“Says the man who is trying to take back London's cocaine industry.”

“No comment.”

I want to stay and catch up; I want to sit with a drink and talk about old times. But I can’t do that. Not in this public setting. Owen Cooper and I have a relationship that exists in the shadows.

“You need to not be seen with me, and I have to be somewhere.”

“The beautiful woman by the bar by chance? I saw you both come in, you look—”

“Unhinged.”

“I was going to say happy. I must admit I’m surprised.”

“Looks like we are both full of surprises. I think I almost fell of my chair when Henry told me what you were planning.”

“Someone has to be the change this country needs. I’m probably one of the only fuckers who has first-hand experience of the shitty system. That’s got to count for something.”

“Only time will tell.”

“Take care of yourself, Luca.”

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