Page 68 of King of Pain

“Fuck,” Mason whispers as I give Luke a tremulous smile.

“Your name is Luke Kincaid. We’re at my stepfather’s cabin.”

“And who are you, gorgeous?”

Well, at least he’s using nicknames, even if it’s not the right one. “My name is Kate.” Medical experience is kicking in. “But your preferred nickname for me is love.”

“Love,” he inspects my face and then smiles. “I’ve got good taste.”

I feel myself blush all over again. Does he really think so? Granted, this meet and greet isn’t much less dramatic then our real first meeting. But I needed rescuing then and I was worried that was part of my appeal. “You also like kitten, princess, and beautiful. Nicknames are kind of your thing.”

He reaches up and strokes my cheek. “Are old trucks my thing too?”

“Kate,” Mason rumbles in my ear. “Don’t forget to keep watch.”

My eyes snap up and with it, the barrel of the gun.

“We have trouble?” Luke asks, his voice taking on a serious tone. I look back down at him for the briefest second. Is he working himself up to protect me? Oh, this man.

“Put Luke on the phone,” Mason says.

“It’s your cousin and business associate, Mason Kincaid,” I say and place the phone against Luke’s ear.

I scan the woods, doing as Mason said, but I can still hear the conversation.

“Hello?”

“Luke. Are you all right?”

“No idea.”

“Then you’re fine. If you can do one thing, it’s truck through a pile of shit and then you just keep going.”

“Got it.”

“I’ve sent help, the helicopter will be there in the next fifteen minutes.”

“Helicopter?” Luke looks down at his grease-covered shirt, pulling it away from his chest. “I’m at an old cabin with an even older truck. This doesn’t seem like a helicopter setting, and I don’t seem like a helicopter guy.”

Mason pauses. “It’s a really long story. I think Kate can tell you most of it. But to fill in the details for you, you’re sleeping with her, but it’s a… convenient arrangement.”

My heart stutters in my chest. It’s my fear said out loud. Did Luke tell Mason this? Is that how he really feels? Is he still lying to me? Manipulating?

My fingers flex on his chest and Luke’s eyes meet mine. There is no wince, his gaze is as steady as a mountain. Then again, he has no memory. “I see.”

“What matters is getting our business to the next level to provide the safety and security we need to survive.” Mason clears his throat. “It’s where you are invaluable.”

“I understand.” Luke’s eyes still hold mine.

“And she’s got medical training, so listen to her about any injuries.”

Sleeping with her. The words echo through my head again as I rest Luke’s head in my lap.

It’s the dismissive tone. Like he expected nothing less, and I mean very little.

Then again… will Luke remember any of the promises we made? Did he mean them?

My breath hitches as the distant sound of chopper blades punctuate the quiet. I’m not getting an answer now. About a million questions will come before this one.

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