Page 27 of King of Deception

I blink up at him twice, just trying to understand. I’m exhausted, physically and emotionally, and I can feel my body sinking.

His arms around me tighten. “I’m going to take you home.”

“Yes, please.” I know I told him I never wanted to see him again. That I just stormed out of the bar. But what just happened has melted away the last of my fight. I’ve got no more today. If anything, I just want to sink into his strength.

I know all he’s done. Then again, I’m not exactly a pillar of virtue over here. I’ve done a bunch wrong, but it’s time to learn from my mistakes. Which means, I shouldn’t give too much away to this man.

He’s using me to get revenge on Mason. He’ll use any information I give him to his advantage. But right this second, I don’t need to talk…

I’m off my feet and in his arms. It’s so like that night in Hawaii, the way he feels, I wish for a moment I could be back there.

Back to the feel of his skin before I knew everything else.

My phone rings, but my face is buried in Gris’s shoulder, and I barely register the sound.

He stops, still holding me, he whispers. “Take out your phone, luv.” It’s still gripped tightly in my hand. He sets me down long enough so that I can pull my arm between us, looking down at the phone.

My eyes are blurry, but I can still read Luke’s name.

Right. I told him to call me back. I fumble to push the button. “Luke?”

“Bug…”

His stupid pet name for me fills my mouth with acid. I hang up again. I just don’t want to hear anything else in this moment. I’m done listening.

Still holding me, Gris takes the phone out of my hand and calls Luke back. He lifts me up again, with one arm and, he starts carrying me down the street. Even though my phone is pressed to the ear that I’m not resting against. I can still hear everything.

“What’s wrong, Arabella?” Luke asks.

“It’s me,” Gris answers.

“Where is Arabella?” Luke demands.

“I’ve got her. I’m taking her home.”

“What the hell happened tonight? You said you needed to talk with her. Why is she so upset?”

I lift my head, my brow scrunching.

Luke does not sound like he’s betrayed me. Then again, Luke’s an idiot.

“Arabella wasn’t looking where she was going and stepped out in front of a car.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Luke spits into the phone.

“She’s all right. I’m taking her home.”

“I take it, since you called me from her phone, that she knows you and I are?—”

“She knows the basics. I’ll explain the rest to her tomorrow. Right now, I think she needs some sleep.”

We reach his car, and he opens the passenger door, practically pouring me into the bucket seat.

I distantly note the smell of rich leather before he’s around to the driver’s side, starting the car and taking off into Las Vegas traffic.

A million questions swirl in my head. But the one that pops out of my mouth, “How’d you learn to drive on the other side of the road?”

He chuckles. “Took a bit of time.”

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