Page 46 of Steal a King (Five Kings 2)

Lucas

The next few days are spent indulging my new love of Ella. She appears to accept the situation, and I’m not sure if I’m happy about that. It makes things easier but every time I touch her, kiss her, fuck her and taste her, I am sliding down a rabbit hole that I know leads to a dead end. The only outcome of this will be her leaving me. I am preparing myself for that; she is preparing her for that, and yet we both dread the day it happens.

It’s not an option to change things, I know that it’s best for her if I cut her free. The selfish part of me wants to keep her by my side and make a future with her, something I never thought I had. But every time that delicious thought rears its head, a thousand faces push it away again. Damian Reed, for one. The way he looked at her told me she wasn’t safe. The way anyone would look at her would have me checking over my shoulder with fear every hour of the day because Ella is fast weaving her spell around my heart and having lost so many people I love, I just can’t go through that again.

Then there’s this life—not just the empire I’ve built, but the one only a select few know about. It’s ok for Ryder King, he has it all. A loving family, a wife, kids and a set of friends who would die for him. It’s the nature of his business to protect them, and I know nothing would ever harm them. Ryder is the one King who has this luxury. The lucky one among us which is possibly why he was targeted when the gold coin was copied. It still confuses me as to who would set him up that way? Surely, it’s an uneducated mistake because if Ryder finds out who it was, they have met their maker the moment he reaches them. Someone with a death wish, or a lot to gain by his demise. When he told me of the trap they were lured to, my blood ran cold. Life without Ryder would be impossible for us all, which makes me even more nervous about bringing Ella into this life.

But she’s here already, and for some reason I am anxious about letting her leave. She has fallen into this one way or another, but will she ever be completely safe? It’s the part of me that is conflicting with my resolve. I need to trust Ryder to get to the bottom of this because until he does, none of us are safe.

* * *

This morningI have a breakfast meeting with Adam, so I leave Ella to sleep off the effects of the night before. I am insatiable where it concerns her, and I’m not sure sleep featured much during the night.

I just can’t get enough of her, but every second I’m inside her, I am preparing myself to leave. I know it’s temporary, maybe that’s what makes it so desirable. Knowing that the one thing I want the most is out of my control, I can’t have it because I think too much of her to ruin her life for something I want above anything else.

“Hey, you look a lot better. Having a house guest obviously agrees with you.”

Adam grins as I head into the boardroom where Tom has arranged a working breakfast. It’s 7am and I feel so good despite the lack of sleep and I’m hungry to get my business wrapped up so I can lose myself inside Ella for the rest of the day.

“She’s a diversion, I’ll give you that.”

Adam grins and I hate the way those words tasted. He can’t know how I feel about her, nobody can because that will safeguard her future.

“So, before we get down to business, Penelope told me to ask you to brunch on Sunday.”

I raise my eyes and he shakes his head and sighs. “Just so you know, she’s invited half the socialites of Vegas. The fact you’re on the guest list will make it the hottest ticket in town and she’s counting on me securing her position as head bitch. So, do me a favor and spare us an hour at least.”

I stare at him in surprise because this isn’t like Adam. He’s not the kind of guy to care what his wife wants, especially when it concerns me.

He squirms a little and sighs. “Listen, you know I hate to ask, it’s just that my life would be much easier if Penelope’s happy. She’s on edge these days and I’m not sure what’s going on.”

“Have you asked her?” I don’t usually do marriage guidance, but something is affecting my right-hand man and that concerns me. He’s unhappy. A fool could see that and I’m pretty sure newlyweds aren’t meant to look so jaded after only six months of wedded bliss.

“Of course, but she tells me she’s trying to forge a position for us in this town as a couple. She has reminded me it’s hard on her having left Boston to come here and start again. She had a promising career there and now she’s just somebody’s wife and she’s struggling.”

“Then give her a child; that will keep her busy.”

Adam laughs. “You don’t know, Penelope. If she wants a child, it will be planned for accordingly. Nothing will be left to chance, and I’m not sure I’m ready for that nightmare just yet. All I want is to enjoy fucking her senseless when I return home at night and having someone who listens to my endless whining about what a bastard my boss is.”

He laughs as I raise my eyes. “Sounds like you need a whore more than a wife. Not exactly my idea of a happy marriage.”

“Says you, the self-styled bachelor who won’t even date, let alone marry. Maybe you should try it and then you’ll understand where I’m coming from.”

He turns his attention to the food and I think on his words. Would I do anything for Ella if she asked, even if it set my teeth on edge? Would I go against what I want just to make her happy? I already know the answer to that, and so I feel a flash of sympathy for Adam and groan.

“I’ll be there. What time?”

“Thanks, Lucas.” His voice is rough around the edges and woven with relief, and I can tell this was the most important deal on his agenda today.

Thinking back to the weary eyes, the beaten aura and the bitterness in his eyes, I wonder when he changed. I can only think it happened a few months after his wedding. Adam is struggling, it’s obvious, and his wife is the reason.

“I’m bringing Ella, though.” I throw it out there and he laughs. “I thought you might.”

“Why?”

“Because you’ve changed since she came here. I never really bought your story about her as your assistant. What’s the real story?”

I carefully consider my words because Adam’s no fool and I shrug.

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