Page 23 of Dark King (Advantage Play 2)

“No, to his associates,” I reply as the wheels in my head start turning.

“Then let’s get it done. Go see your girl. Let her put a smile on your face. You look too fucking serious, Kingston.”

I laugh dryly while shaking my head. Count on D to make a smartass comment that would somehow make me smile when all I want to do is grab a torch and start burning things. D stands, tapping his knuckles against my oak desk then heads to the door.

“One more thing,” I say, stopping him.

He turns around. “Yeah?”

“Have you heard anything else from our men?”

“About…?” His voice trails off, showcasing his confusion.

“About me taking over the Romano family.”

Sighing, he shakes his head. “I’ve already told you, King. From what I can tell, Vince was the only guy who was distressed about the transition. Everyone else seems content. You’re a good leader. Don’t second guess yourself.”

I’m not second-guessing myself, but there’s something that nags the back of my mind, hinting that someone else might be. My father always told me to trust my instincts, and even though there isn’t any proof, they’re blaring like a damn fog horn.

With a single nod, I dismiss Diece. “Keep me updated.”

“I will.”

Chapter Twelve

Ace

“What’s wrong?” I ask the shadow near the door to my bedroom. Under normal circumstances, I’d be scared out of my mind to have a stranger watching me in the shadows. But the presence is familiar, and I know that it’s Kingston with every fiber of my being. The situation reminds me of my apartment when I’d be anxiously waiting for him to visit me, and a fresh wave of butterflies assaults my stomach as I wait for him to answer me.

His husky voice sends tingles racing down my spine. “Nothing.”

“Lie,” I return, sensing his frustration. “Talk to me, Kingston. It’s almost two in the morning, and I heard shouting downstairs. Why don’t you come to bed?” He’s been sleeping with me here in the guest room across the hall. I’ve loved feeling his embrace in the middle of the night but wake up convinced it was all a dream. Why? Because he’s always missing by the time my eyes peek open in the morning.

When his dark shadow doesn’t move, I threaten, “Don’t make me get out of bed to come get you, Mister. It’s freezing. Come warm me up.”

The teasing in my voice is enough to get him to edge closer. As he finally reaches me, his weight sinks into the mattress and makes me roll toward him. Lifting onto my elbow, I continue to watch him in the moonlight that’s filtering in through the window.

“Talk to me, King. I’m right here.”

Silence.

“Please?” I beg. I can see his torment. The purple bags under his eyes. The pale skin. The scruffier beard that’s usually trimmed. Something is bothering him, and it kills me that he refuses to open up to me. I want to help him carry his burdens the same way he carries mine, but he needs to let me.

“It’s family business.”

“Is that supposed to mean something to me?” I laugh lightly as another blinding example of the different worlds we’ve been raised in comes to light. I’m not naïve. He’s made it apparent on multiple occasions that family business means it’s none of my business. But that doesn’t lessen the sting that accompanies it every time he makes it obvious that he can’t trust me.

With a dry laugh, Kingston finally looks down at me and starts to play with my long strands of hair that are spread across the pillow like a messy web.

“Family business means it’s for the men only. We can’t talk about it with anyone else.”

“Lie.”

“It’s not a lie,” he argues, but I interrupt him.

“It is, Kingston. You can talk to me. You can talk to me about anything.”

His fingers stop playing with my hair as if I’ve shocked him before he continues his exploration. The tender touch feels exquisite, and I close my eyes at the gentle tugging.

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