Page 78 of King of Pain

“Fuck you, Mason. It’s not about you. It never was.” I almost hang up but then I stop. “I’m calling Roman and Arabella tonight and then I’m leaving tomorrow. Try and stop me, and our split will not be amicable.”

“Split? What the fuck are you talking about?”

“I’m selling my shares. I’m out.” And then I hang up the phone.

Kate is front of me, tears shimmering in her eyes. “You don’t need to quit, Luke, I…”

I pull her against me, kissing her mouth like I’ll die if I don’t.

I don’t need to remember everything. I remember enough.

She melts into me, her arms threading around my neck. I’d like to lay her down and fuck her senseless, again.

“Go dry your hair, sweetheart,” I say, against her lips. “If it’s all right with you, I’ve got another call to make.”

“Of course it’s all right, but seriously, Luke. You didn’t have to?—”

“I promised you we were going to New York, baby. I told you I’m going to work on cars, maybe open a high-end shop. It suits me, doesn’t it?”

“It does,” she whispers.

“And you are going to get another internship. Finish med school.”

She shakes her head, her eyes wide. “My mom would never in a million years believe this one.”

“Would she be proud?” I remember her mom made a habit of dating really fucked up men…

And then I blink. Because a whole bunch of shit is just back in my brain. Wow. That’s weird.

“Appalled. She’d surely make a crack about me ruining the meal ticket.”

And then she kisses me again, her hands threading through my hair. “But I know you’re the best kind of guy.”

I slide my hand down her spine, seriously reconsidering that call. I just want to yank the towel off her and…

Then I remember the story she told me about her mom’s deadbeat boyfriend who tried to hurt her. That guy is going to fucking pay.

“Dry your hair, love.”

She kisses me two more times before disappearing into the bathroom again.

I hear the blow dryer turn on and then I pull on a pair of exercise pants and a T-shirt I find in the drawer. I throw another shirt of mine on the bed for Kate.

I head straight out the front door. Two security men turn toward me. “I’m still a Kincaid and my share is equal to Mason’s. Try to stop me and you’ll find yourself without a job,” I bark and then exit the house.

This is a family compound and I head straight for the house that sits at the end of the street, looking down on all the others. Trotting up the steps, I ring the bell.

A housekeeper answers. “I need to speak with Charlotte.”

“Of course, Mr. Kincaid,” the housekeeper bobs a curtsy, making me instantly feel like shit.

“Thank you,” I follow up, giving her a much softer smile.

Charlotte appears at the top of the stairs and a vision of her at her wedding fills my thoughts. A delicate brunette, I can’t help but notice that she bears a resemblance to Kate. Do Mason and I share the same taste in women? Interesting.

The memories are coming back faster and faster. “Luke!” she cries, racing down the stairs. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s a long story.” I comb one hand through my hair. “But I need a favor.”

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