Page 50 of King of Deception

“Some things aren’t meant to go back together.” Luke’s jaw could cut glass.

Blessedly, my wine arrives, and I take a long sip. Then I turn to Luke. “Did you think about my last question to you?”

“What was that?” Mason asks.

But I know Luke remembers by the way he grimaces. I asked him how he was better than Mason. Time to drive home the point. Sending Gris really messed with my life. Granted, I’ve been enjoying the mess, but it might have gone the other way. “You want to sell, that’s one thing. You want to hurt Mason, you’re hurting all of us.” I point a finger at Luke.

“You’re taking his side?” Luke’s nostrils flare with irritation.

Good point. “I’m not marrying Preston. He’s a complete prick.” I turn to Mason. “And since you’ve given him all the power, and you did, you can tell him that you support my decision.”

Mason’s mouth opens and closes.

But I think I might be done with this dinner. I stand. “And as for you, Luke Kincaid. You want out, you can wait until Mason can clear the debt. Because you care about your family and are not a selfish man, correct? And you don’t do things to screw them over. You’re that much better than Mason.” My brows lift and I see him cringe.

He’s reading me loud and clear.

I toss my napkin on the table and then take another long swallow of my wine. I’ll have to have that seafood dish another time.

“You two eat. And talk. And work something out that honors both your needs and Kincaid Enterprises, and the rest of the family too. And stop acting like a couple of spoiled babies.”

“Spoiled babies,” Mason rumbles.

“Bella,” Luke stands too. “What the fuck has gotten into you…”

I point my finger right in his face. “Unlike you, I’m the forgiving type. Which is why I’m forgiving you.”

“What’s she talking about?”

I look back at Mason. “Be nice and I’ll tell you.”

“What the hell happened to my baby sister?” Mason’s eyes wide with shock.

“I grew up.” Picking up my clutch, I make my way to the door. Before I leave, I look back over my shoulder. “Be nice. Both of you. If you’re not, I’m calling both your wives into the next family dinner, and they will make certain you behave.”

And then I make my way out to the lobby. I’m smiling because I think I might have actually done it.

I might just be a Kincaid after all.

But as my gaze swings over to the elevators, I stop, my feet like cement. I can’t believe my eyes…

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Arabella

I slowly pivotto make sure I’m seeing this correctly.

The lobby of the hotel is crowded, but I’d still recognize him anywhere.

Preston.

Only he isn’t alone.

His back is to me, as he stands facing the wall, and over his shoulder I catch a peek of blonde hair.

Interesting.

Slowly, I start walking toward them, my ear cocked. The crowd is loud enough that I don’t hear much until I’m standing right behind Preston.

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