Page 41 of The Heir

"I'm checking to make sure you're okay," I say. "I was in that limo for a really long time. I can't imagine in that whole time Christopher didn't get a hit or two in."

"Oh baby, don't underestimate me like that. The fucker was weak." King's eyes flash as I look up at him, surprised by his arrogant admission. "And you don't have to worry about a trial, it's handled."

"It's handled?" I wrinkle my nose at him, pulling my hands away. "You sound like Olivia Pope."

His eye brow arches. "Who?"

"Only the greatest show ever. President and political handler has an affair. That type of thing," I mutter, turning to grab my bag from one of the guards, but he won't let me have it. "Excuse me,give me my bag!"I say sternly. But he looks ahead, not acknowledging me.

King steps into me, making my attention focus on him. "Come on, baby, let's get you a drink. I'll take you where you need to go. You don't need to drive after the day you had," King says softly, turning me by my shoulders and putting his arm around me. He walks me to the elevators and we get in, headed down.

"Oh." I deflate, feeling a rush of gratefulness at the prospect of having help, because I'm so tired that I know I'm going to crash later. "A drink would be nice. A good vodka cranberry sounds so wonderful, actually. and then a soft bed to sleep in," I breathe. Leaning my head against the elevator wall we stay silent. Slowly remembering my behavior, I feel heat creep up my neck. "You think I'm absolutely crazy now, don't you?"

King lets out an exhale. "You're good. Sooo good, sweet thing. So beautiful in your rage."

I bite back a grin, men are so predictable.

Until they're not.

"So, where are you taking me?" I tease as we make our way down the hallway. I don't flinch when he puts his arm around my shoulder.

"Well,I'mdriving your car to the bar so you don't have to. There's a place on the East side that's nice. Has crunchy peanuts."

My eye's widen. "Ohhh, I love nuts," I gush, digging out my car keys and handing them to him, pulling back at the last second. "You sure you know how to drive?"My eyebrow arches. "Don't look at me like that, I haveyetto see you behind the wheel of a vehicle." I smile at him, blushing as he reaches up and brushes his knuckles down my cheek.

He's been extremely open in his affection tonight, and butterflies erupt in my tummy, making me off kilter for a moment. I distract myself by hitting the elevator button to the ground floor.

I hand him the keys and listen to him tell me about how he used to race with some famous nascar drivers. And you know what, by the time he pulls up to the bar and I fall out the passenger seat of my car on a shuddering breath, thanking God for life, I believe him.

He's never driving me around ever again.

Chapter nine

Tabs Open

Isobel must be energized by our drive because she's caught a second wind that's contagious.

I laugh at Isobel as she hightails it to the bar in a dramatic fashion, cape flying behind her like she's superwoman and flags down the bartender. The folks in here are looking at us rather peculiarly and I can't blame them to be honest. Even though we're rumpled from my fight with Christopher where I'm sure I broke an entire set of ribs and snapped his wrist, and she looks…well...

My baby looks perfect.

Her hair is a bit more voluminous than it was earlier, her cheeks have a high color to them, and though the shoes she put on don't go as well as the original ones she had on, she's still a stunner, and these people in this bar wouldn't know the difference. I come up close behind her, and snap at my security to make themselves scarce butto keep an eye out, because though we're rumpled, we still look like money and I don't want any problems.

"Vodka Cranberry with a lime, and-and a scotch on the rocks for him, please," she yells at the bartender, digging through her purse. "Where's that fucking card? I know I put it in here," she mutters, looking in her clutch.

"It's okay, I got it." I reach back for my wallet, but she holds up a finger and stays silent as she continues to dig through her cards again.

"Aha!"Isobel says, smiling so bright it almost knocks my ass off this barstool. "Here it is!" As she hands her card to the bartender I look over seeing another man is eyeing her with interest. I give him afuck offlook that he takes, turning his face back to the front and hiding his grin behind a swing of his beer.

I know one thing, the fucker better keep his eyes to himself because my night is finally here and I'm not letting anyone get in my way.

I busy myself running my hand down her bare arm, the one not half-hidden by the cape, and marvel at her smooth skin. "Thank you for the drink, but I could have gotten it," I say to her, not bothering to keep my voice down. The bar is plenty loud enough, and I doubt that anyone here will care what we're talking about.

"Oh, don't mention it. My reason for buying it is incredibly selfish. The fact I get to buy the man who avenged my honor a drink withhismoney is the fucking cherry on top of the cake for me." She smiles at the bartender who slides us our drinks.

My brow arches. "Say what?" I chuckle, folding my arms and tilting my head at her. "You're using his card right now?"

"Our card," she corrects me with a wink. "We shared an account. And I'm about to drain the fucker."

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