Page 7 of Dark King (Advantage Play 2)

Gritting his teeth, he admits, “It’d be impossible for him to not know. It’s Burlone’s entire business. He leaves the drugs and guns to other families. But women? Those are all him.”

I can excuse a lot of things, but knowingly being part of something as sinister as human trafficking is inexcusable. Diece must have all the redeeming qualities in the family because his brother seems to have misplaced his humanity.

“Then you’re better off without him.” I turn back in my seat as we pull into the driveway.

D leans his head back against the headrest and lets out a soft sigh.

“Yeah…but is he better off without me?”

Chapter Five

Ace

I raise my hand and tap my knuckles against King’s open office door. His head is down, and his eyebrows are pulled low as if he’s concentrating really hard. As soon as he hears my soft knock, his head snaps up, and his gaze connects with mine.

“Hey.” My voice is rusty from lack of use.

“Hey,” he replies just as softly.

“Can I come in?”

He nods.

Stepping inside, I head to the opposite side of his desk and sit on the very edge of the chair in an attempt to get as close to Kingston as I can while not knowing how close he wants me to be.

Warily, he watches me, making my heart break.

“I’m sorry,” I start. “I’m so sorry I said those things. It wasn’t okay to compare you to Burlone, and it was a hit below the belt. You’re nothing like him, Kingston. I know you just want me to be safe, and you’re feeling spooked right now. I was a brat, and I don’t know how to make it better.”

My apology hangs in the air for a few brief seconds before he stands and walks around his desk. With him at his full height, and me sitting with my back ramrod straight, I feel smaller than an ant.

Peeking up at him, I wait for him to decide whether or not he’ll accept my apology, praying that he does. Whatever is going on between us isn’t just surface-level crap. I care about him––a lot. And I can’t believe I was so callous to screw it up.

“Truth,” he murmurs. “I’m sorry I didn’t give you a choice. I’ll try to take your past into consideration and talk things through with you instead of giving you orders as if you’re one of my men, okay?”

A soft smile tugs at my lips as I watch an unbendable man bend. For me.

“Truth.”

As I push myself up from my chair, he reaches for my waist and drags me closer until I’m standing between his legs while he leans against the desk. With my hands resting on his broad chest, I soak up his innocent touch when he smiles. It’s soft but real, reminding me of a ray of sunshine peeking through the clouds after a storm. I return it with one of my own, trying to hide my awe that the man in front of me could give me a smile like that. One that holds an edge of promise to it that makes my heart beat a little faster. The warmth in his eyes is a balm to my soul, and it scares me with how much I’m starting to rely on it. His warmth. His touch. His heart. I slowly rub my hands along his pecs and up to his shoulders. His soul. I need all of him, and I pray that I’m not the only one getting lost in this relationship.

Lacing his fingers through my messy waves, he accepts my apology with a panty-melting kiss that makes my knees weak. The realization that I really like this man is staggering but glaringly accurate as I open my mouth to him and show him how sorry I really am.

The thought of losing him brings tears to my eyes, but I push them away. I’m being dramatic. We weren’t even really in a fight or anything. Hell, I can barely call it a disagreement, but the situation still brought feelings to the surface I hadn’t addressed before. Ones that made me question what I’d do if he didn’t care. If he didn’t want me around. If he didn’t show a gentleness around me that he usually reserves for…no one.

After he pulls away, he drags his hands down to my waist and laces his fingers at the small of my back to keep me close. I’m grateful when he changes the subject and brings a lightness to our conversation that lets me hide from the ins and outs of our relationship a little longer.

“How was getting your stuff?” he asks.

“It was okay. D told me something, though.”

He quirks his brow. “And what’s that?”

“That he has a brother. Or a…half-brother, I guess?”

I still can’t fully understand what that means.

“Wow.” The surprise is clear on Kingston’s face as he takes a second to digest the information.

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