Page 37 of Savage

As far as dressings-down went, guilt was always the most effective. Going on the attack would only put me on the defense. But guilt over betraying my fellow Kings—nowthatwas something I felt remorse over.

“I understand,” I said. “I should’ve come to you all first. I get that.”

“Good.” King gestured for the key card and looked it over. “But since you have this, I think it’s smart to have Alessio look into it. Hopefully he can give us some insight to what it opens, and we can make a plan from there.”

I nodded. “I agree. That’s exactly what I wanted to do.”

King’s lips tightened. “I’m so glad that my plan lines up with yours.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

He turned to Alessio, probably so he wouldn’t climb over the table and strangle me. I couldn’t blame him, either. I’d really been going out of my way to aggravate the situation.

“You think you can get something off this?”

“Depends on what it is,” Alessio said. “Might open a door. Might have some sort of encryption embedded on it. Either way, that symbol says it’s connected to Mick.”

“Then I’ll leave it with you.”

“Got it.”

“As for you”—King looked back at me—“you are to keep eyes on your little journalist atalltimes. That meansyouare to stay with him.”

I was a babysitter now? “But?—”

“I don’t want to hear it, Lachlan. You brought him here, you watch him. That means eyes on himat all times.”

Benoit’s chuckle had me looking his way. “You think this is funny?”

“I think it’s…fate.”

“Fate my ass.”

“Mon cher, isn’t this what you wanted?”

It was, but I wasn’t about to admit it.

“Now you can look at the man all you like. King just gave you permission.”

Huh—he did, didn’t he…

“Don’t even think about complicating this further,” King said. “I said keep your eyes on him. Not your hands, and definitely not your dick.”

But it was too late. The seed Benoit had planted was already taking root. The only question was, would Cooper be interested in passing the time with Lachlan? Or was he still too hung up on his masked stranger to give me a second glance?

15

COOPER

SOMETHING BRIGHT BURNED the back of my eyelids, and I turned my head on the pillow, seeking out the shadows. The dark reprieve was temporary, as whatever it was followed, and I felt the warmth on my face radiate down my body.

It was annoying and forced me out of a deep sleep, but as I came to, awareness dawned that I wasn’t at home—I was in some palatial penthouse, and at some point while Lachlan had been gone, I must’ve fallen asleep.

Shit.I hadn’t meant to do that.

I lifted a hand to shield my eyes and slowly forced them open to see Lachlan sitting by the window. He’d pushed the curtain beside him open a few inches, directing the sun straight at me.

As my eyes cleared, the strangest sense of déjà vu ran through me, but I brushed it aside when he said, “I would’ve thought you’d choose one of the beds.”

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