Page 28 of The Heir

I stay sitting for another half hour with my seat reclined and some instrumental jazz playing, just staring. Contemplating King's words.

He's obviously not going to let up on me.

Will he still be this way even after I have Christopher's ring on my finger?

King paid the paparazzi off and then sicced a bodyguard on my mom and sister. No questions asked. A little thrill courses through me at his take charge attitude, and just how manly he is when he steps in to handle something. My excited sizzle fades though, thinking about the information that was just revealed to King.

And to me as well, honestly.

I actually thought I made up my father's mafia ties as a kid. A fantastical tale I told myself to ease the sting of him abandoning us. I had no idea that his ties are very real. But again, he hasn't shown his face in twenty years so I truly believe we don't have anything to worry about.

But the fact that King gave my mother protection even though we're twenty years out from any contact from my father sobers me.

A sleek black car pulls up beside me, and idles. I know it's King, however the window doesn't roll down. I stare at the tinted window, with his words echoing around my head.

He doesn't value you.

Tears prick the back of my eyes, and though I can't see him, I can feel him staring back at me. The heat seeps between the two panes of glass as if the barrier is non-existent, highlighting an undeniable attraction between us, also subsequently magnifying the lack of chemistry between me and Christopher.

My phone pings just as a lone tear sips down my cheek.

I turn my face away to hide, angling my body away so the back of my head is to him. After a couple of awkward minutes his car pulls off, and I close my eyes trying like hell to get it together.

Pressing my fingers to my eyes, I heave a deep breath when I feel like I've gotten more of a handle on my emotions and then pull up my phone, seeing a text from King.

That's the last time you'll ever turn your back on me and get away with it.-King

I purse my lips, sit my seat back up and drive off without responding to him, because I'm over entertaining his audacity. He'll continue to be ignored.

Chapter six

Balducci

Isit in silence, watching her car in the distance; that one tear falling down her cheek effectively fucking up my whole day. The exhilaration from my run is dampened considerably, and I decide right then and there I'm done waiting. I'll take her tonight.

Her lights flash and her car creeps forward slowly. It's only when she slowly passes our hidden spot that I let my driver Dennis pull off.

"Dennis, get Joaquin Balducci on the phone, please," I say in a curt tone. "And get me a ticket to that art show downtown tonight." I wasn't going to go, but as I said, I'm done waiting.

And I'm definitely not going to sit around while she gets engaged to another man.

"Yes, sir."

"Also, I think today's a good day to see the family. Take me to King compound, please, for breakfast." I know I'm going to hear it from my father for missing the last six months of our weekly breakfasts, but I'mhoping my news will soften him towards me. "Alert my parents I'm on my way," I say almost as an afterthought. This way my father will have time to sit with his anger before I show up, should he need to.

"Yes, sir."

I would do it myself, but I'm currently fighting to ignore my phone because Isobel is itching to be put into place, and I just know if I look down at my phone and see any more attitude that I'll go fuck her up, and it's still too early to show my hand yet. I take a deep drink of water and listen to the speakers as the call rings three times before Joaquin answers.

"Hello, old friend." His gravelly voice causes me to smile.

"Hey J. How's it going man?"

"You know,same old same old.So to what do I owe the honor of this phone call? I haven't heard from you in months."

I grunt. "I've been busy stalking a woman."

Joaquin pauses, he knows how the King Family operates, all the families underground have their own thing. Though we don't fuck around in territory wars and illegal drugs, we're still just as respected due to our bloodline. Joaquin has been a friend for years, and now he's the head of the Balducci family, giving me just the right connection to ensure Isobel and her family remain safe.

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