Page 58 of King of Pain

How much money did Mason send him?

In the next bag are more underwear. But these are not from Walmart. It’s lace and cut to flatter, the fabric slipping through my fingers.

In the next bag are designer shirts. The kind that would look amazing on me, but I don’t ever buy because… “How much did all this cost?”

“Don’t worry,” he says, taking a big bite of eggs. “I got you.”

But that thing that’s been nagging is back and it’s biting right at the surface. “How did you get Doctor Shrewsbury to change his mind?”

Luke grimaces. “I told you.”

“No. Not really. And how…” But then, it hits me. I saw this billboard by the airport. A massive tunnel in the heart of Las Vegas was being advertised. And it was by Kincaid Enterprises.

I gasp, dropping the shirt, the garment slipping to the floor. “Construction?”

“Kate,” he says, reaching out a hand. “I am in construction.”

“Your family is building the largest construction project that Vegas has ever seen. It will bring in billions.”

He shrugs. “Actually, I’m building it.”

The blood rushes from my head, dizziness taking over. He didn’tnottell me. He said he was a Kincaid. That he was in construction, that he was the rival of Vincent and Vigo. But this is huge…

“But? Why? You should have told me. About all of this. You’re like… like… rich.”

He winces. “I kind of assumed you knew. I can’t meet anyone in Vegas who doesn’t either recognize me or my name. It was nice for you to just think of me as a regular guy. To like me for just me.”

That really makes sense. I get that. “But why didn’t you tell me yesterday? When I was freaking out about my internshipwhy didn’t you just say ‘everyone in the world does what I ask them?’”

His grimace tells me that he’s got a reason and I’m not going to like it. But my brain is spinning now.

“Why hasn’t your family just sent a whole security detail to collect us?”

The grimace turns into a wince. “Kate.” He scrubs his hands down his face. “Try to understand.”

“I don’t. Explain it.”

“I messed up the permits.” He shakes his head. “Me and my stupid brain.”

My heart stutters in my chest.

“It’s why I was there that night. I was trying to fix my mistake. A billion dollar company about to be flushed down the toilet because I transposed a couple of dates…” I can see the anguish on his face. “It was my mistake to correct.”

I lean forward, hurting for him. But also looking for answers.

“Mason only ever brought me into the business because I was family. Because my mom raised Roman and Arabella.”

His face is twisted in pain. “Luke, you’re the strongest man I know.”

He shakes his head. “I’m worth more to my family dead than I am alive.”

Confusion makes me pull back. “What does that mean?”

His face goes slack, the color draining. “I… uh…”

“What does it mean, Luke?” My voice is loud and tight, as my hands come to the table.

“It means that blood, my blood, was found in the Vendettis’ car and…”

---