Page 103 of Guarded King

Her shrug is careless. “I’m not sure. An old college friend, I think.”

Irritation rips through me. That information is next to useless. Old college friends are par for the course in this industry. We all have them, but I doubt Ellis would let a relationship that flimsy influence his decision.

My ex-wife searches my face, her mouth forming a little pout. “Don’t you think it’s been long enough?”

Annoyed by her game-playing, I grit my teeth. “Has what been long enough?”

“I know I hurt you,” she says softly.

The gentleness of her tone only irritates me further.

“But it’s been years. You’ve punished me enough. Don’t you think it would look good to your investors, to potential stakeholders, if you were to settle down like Cole and Tate?If you want to send a clear message about the King Group’s strength and unity, what could do that better than the two of us reconciling?”

I rock back in my chair, barely containing my distaste. “Literally anything.”

Hurt blooms in her eyes. I’ve seen that expression before, and I doubt it’s any more real now. I don’t bother indulging it.

“So do you actually have information about Roger’s bid, or was it just an excuse to try to weasel your way back into my life now that I’m CEO?”

She huffs, the wounded look disappearing. “I told you what I know. If you want to get your bid in first, you should accelerate your plans.”

My nod is sharp. “Thank you for the information. I appreciate it. I’m not sure if your boyfriend will.”

She opens her mouth, but before she can respond, my mother glides up to the table.

“Why, Katherine, how lovely to see you.” Her voice is cool, her words blatantly insincere.

Katherine’s lips form an equally fake smile as she straightens. “Beverly. It’s been too long.”

“Has it? It doesn’t feel that way.” Without pausing, Mom focuses on me. “Roman, darling, can you escort me to my car?”

Mom has never asked me to escort her to her car, but I’ll gladly oblige if it will give me some space from my ex-wife.

I stand and tug on my cuffs to straighten my jacket. “Of course.”

Katherine eases to her feet as well, and gripping my forearm, leans forward. “I don’t think it will look good for you if you start a relationship with your assistant.”

I step back, forcing her hand to drop away. “I have no intention of it,” I say, my voice as cold as my mother’s was. “Believe me, my father made sure I learned that lesson.”

Without waiting for a response, I turn and usher Mom toward the entrance.

“I never liked that woman,” she says.

I glance at her without slowing. “I’m surprised you thought enough about her to dislike her.”

“I was at your wedding. You didn’t smile.”

That causes me to stumble for an instant. “Did you smile at yours?”

“No.” She presses her lips together, but she keeps her attention fixed ahead. “That’s how I knew she wasn’t the woman for you.”

“There isn’t a woman for me.” We come to a stop on the steps outside. “One failed marriage is enough.”

With a hand on my arm, she looks up at me with an expression filled with more emotion than I thought her capable of. Despite her height and her heels, I’m still inches taller than her. It’s strange, looking down at someone who once seemed so distant and unapproachable. It’s even stranger seeing that person look vulnerable.

“There is a woman for you, Roman,” she says. “Being an island isn’t the defense you think it is, trust me. You’ll build your walls so thick that eventually no one will be able to get close to you, even the people who most want to be there. You’re doing a disservice to them and yourself by not letting them in.”

I stare at her, at the glossiness of her eyes. This is the most genuine emotion I’ve ever seen from her, and it stirs an ache deep in my chest.

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