Page 45 of King
“I’ll tell you what, Arthur, since I’m in a good mood today maybe we can come to another agreement.” Hope blooms in his eyes. How long it lasts remains to be seen. “I will forgive your debt and pay off all your creditors on one condition.” He smiles before I can finish, and I hold up my finger before he can thank me. Before his hopeful attitude plummets. “If you give me Arabelle’s hand in marriage.”
“Florian is definitely an asshole,” I mumble as I continue to type the first draft of my story. “But I absolutely love him.”
It seems I have a thing for assholes. I chuckle at the thought. What is it with men like Matteo and King, shit even my character Florian? Why can’t I find a banker or stockbroker? Someone safe. Why is Arabelle attracted to the Beast? Is it in a woman’s DNA to surround herself with these types of men?
I look at the clock, forty-five minutes until I need to leave. I still haven’t figured out how to exactly do that yet, but I have no other choice. If I can’t sneak out, then I’ll have no other choice but to walk out the front door.
A knock on the door sounds and I slam the laptop closed. I shut my eyes and take a deep breath in before letting it out. I know it’s him but I’m not ready to see him. That’s a lie. I am ready to see him, I’m just not ready for him to forbid me from doing what’s necessary. If this is my last day on earth, I need to see him.
I jump off the bed and race to the door, then pull it open. He stares at me, a look of sadness in his eyes. My heart breaks knowing I’m probably the reason that look is there. I can’t deny the connection between us. It’s not love. We don’t know each other well enough to call it that, but it’s something.
He reaches out to me, but then quickly shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans. I wish he’d touch me.
“Can we talk?”
I nod and step aside to let him enter then close the door behind him. I glance at my watch, keeping an eye on the time.
Thirty-five minutes.
I cross my arms over my chest, as he takes a seat on the end of the bed. I want to go to him, but I keep some distance between us because nothing is keeping me from leaving this place this evening. Not even him.
“What did you want to talk about?”
He taps the bed beside him. I roll my eyes, but I don’t deny him. I walk to the bed and plop down beside him. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his embrace. It’s like coming home.
“I’m sorry for acting like a dick.” He kisses the top of my head. “The thought of something happening to you scares the shit out of me.”
My chest tightens at his concern for me. That has to be hard for him to admit, but I know the risk. The danger. I’ve lived with Matteo for years surrounded by danger. It’s not a new thing to me.
“I know, Dylan.” I place my hand on his thigh and squeeze. “But you have to understand where I’m coming from. This will save my life and Amelia’s. I’m not happy about leading someone to their death, but it’s my life or his. I’m going to choose mine all day long.”
He deeply sighs. “Has Emilio been in touch?”
“Are you going to help me?”
I’m not giving him any information on this meeting unless he agrees to help me. If he’s not, he’ll not stop me from leaving. I will save Amelia’s life. I will save my life, with or without his help.
“Of course.”
I glance down at my watch, then look back at him. “We got twenty-five minutes.”
His eyes widen. “Are you fucking serious?”
I nod.
“How in the hell did you plan to do this? I know you have a plan even if I didn’t come around.”
I shrug. “I was going to walk out the front door.”
He looks at me like I’ve lost my damn mind, but it’s the truth, then shakes his head. “Well let’s get going. We’ll talk strategy in the car.”
Chapter Eighteen
KING
Outwardly,I’mascooland calm as I can be. But on the inside… I’m fucking stressing. Twenty-five minutes to come up with a plan to keep Alana alive. It’s not enough time. Reaper looks at me and I see the stress in his eyes too. The only one who isn’t having a meltdown is Alana. And it’s my belief the reason is because she’s made peace with the fact she may not make it out alive. I don’t believe she has any faith in Emilio Messina, but she’s willing to give her trust to him to save her and Amelia.
“I can’t believe I’m letting you do this.”
