Page 88 of Secrets & Lies

“It’s a migraine, Ms. Taylor. He’ll be fine in a little while. It’s a residual part of work. Why don’t we get you to your room?” Marcus was insistent that I go.

“Then maybe he shouldn’t be doing that kind of work if it makes him sick.”

He squeezed my hand, and I sucked in my breath when my eyes met his. I’d seen that look before. In the soft hazel eyes looking back at me, I saw exhaustion. It was the look of a man who had seen too much—knew too much. It was the burden of the helpers of the world. Owen had worn that look for the first six months after he rescued me.

Then I realized that all four of them were wearing black. Marcus usually wore a tailored suit, cut to perfection. But now he had on jeans and a T-shirt as black as night.

Somewhere deep inside, I made the connection that whatever they’d done involved that vigilante business my manager told me about. I couldn’t leave now. Hoping I wouldn’t regret my decision later, I grabbed Marcus’s arm.

“I’d like to do something nice for Alek, Nik, and Ivan to thank them. Could you help?”

A plan was forming in my mind, and the more I thought about it, the more excited I got.

He smiled, and the fatigue left his eyes a little. “I’ll see what I can do. Why don’t you tell me what you have in mind first?”

An hour later, I went in search of Sarah. She was in her room, scrolling social media. I filled her in on the plan.

“I seriously don’t know what you did with my best friend, but I’m so on board. Another round and naughtier, to boot?”

“Yes, I promise. Would you mind letting Jenna in on it? Maybe text her. She seemed a bit busy earlier. I have a feeling she’ll take it better coming from you.”

“I can do that. She seems completely comfortable with the Kings.”

She let the statement hang in the air like she was wondering what I was thinking. I nodded, the first inkling of nerves creeping in.

“This isn’t me and Alek getting into a relationship. It’s just hanging out. No, not friends with benefits, either.” I stopped her before she could ask. “Jenna has nothing to be worried about.”

“Okay, if you say so. I’ll talk to her before dinner,” Sarah finally relented, looking like she didn’t believe me.

Pushing away the rush of emotions, I went to check on Alek. I opened his door and slipped inside. He was lying on his stomach in the middle of the bed. Almost like he’d collapsed on it. He was naked, and I couldn’t tear my eyes from his backside.

The muscles across his body looked like they were carved out of stone. Like a masterpiece on display in a gallery. He was far superior to the images in the books and videos I’d seen. He had beautiful hard lines and smooth, tanned skin, and my hands itched to touch him.

My heart caught in my chest. He looked so different like this—vulnerable, almost. Without even thinking, I sat on the bed next to him and trailed my fingers over the shaved parts of his head.

He groaned, making me pull my hand back. “Kitten, what are you doing here?” he whispered.

“Checking on you. I was worried.”

“That’s sweet of you. My head isn’t hurting as much. I need about thirty more minutes, and then I’ll be ready to go down to dinner.”

I threaded my fingers through his hair and massaged his scalp. He let out a long sigh that made me smile. “I’ve made arrangements to have it brought up. Everything is taken care of already. Take as much time as you need.”

“You made arrangements without discussing it with me?” He tried to sound stern, but the heaviness in his voice betrayed his weariness.

“Well, I talked to Marcus. Ivan looked like he wanted to be alone, and with the noises coming from Jenna’s room…Yeah, let’s just say, hopefully, Jenna was able to fix Nik.” I flushed, thinking about what I’d heard.

Alek grunted, making me chuckle.

“Scoot over,” I told him.

He gently shuffled over as I positioned my body with my back against the headboard. The plush cushion provided the stability I needed. Once I was settled, I reached out to him and pulled his head into my lap. My fingers brushed against his temple in a gentle caress. He carefully drew the sheet over his lower body, covering his taut muscles, and sighed under my touch.

Moaning, he said, “Damn, that feels so good. Can I put you on my payroll to do this for me on a regular?”

“It depends on how often you don black. I already work two jobs, you know.”

“I’ll pay you five times as much as both of those jobs if you’ll make yourself available for me. Ouch,” he yelped as I pulled his hair.

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