Page 56 of King of Deception

I drop my swelling cheek to the top of her head and hold her close. “I promise you. He’ll never touch you again.”

She doesn’t respond, just nuzzles closer.

But Mason is glaring at me. I ignore him. If Preston was prey, Mason is the pride leader, and I am the lion encroaching on his territory.

And me and him, we’re about to fight for dominance. There is no telling who might win.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Arabella

“Doessomeone want to tell me what’s going on?” Mason grits out, and I can hear his fury.

He never talks to me like that. Not usually, anyhow.

I lift my head, meeting his gaze, which instantly loses a bunch of the anger, being replaced with fear. “Don’t be mad, Mason.” I can barely get the words out, but he hears them.

He steps over Preston, and crouches in front of me and Gris. “I’m not mad at you, Bellabear.”

Each of my brothers has their own nickname for me. That was Mason’s. But unlike Luke, who still uses his, Mason hasn’t called me that in years. Not since before our mom and dad died.

“Preston did this to her?” Luke asks, standing over Preston with his arms crossed.

“Yeah,” Gris answers. “He fucking did this.” I feel the current of tension that runs through him despite the comfort of his hold.

And I feel how I always feel when I’m in his arms, only it’s even stronger. I want to lose myself in Gris. Hide in him. I triedto play Kincaid games for a hot minute, and now I’m a broken and battered bag of bones in his lap. I’m so stupid.

And I am going to give myself tonight, to lie in his arms, draw in his comfort. I’m going to give him my virginity too.

Because when he came striding through my apartment door, I realized that I loved him. I’m in love with him.

But I also know he doesn’t love me back.

He’s wants me. I know he does. And he does a much better job of faking it than Preston ever could. But I heard what he said to Preston, about having a plan to win Kincaid support back.

I’d be a fool not to understand that he meant me. I’m the plan. And he’s doing an amazing job of making it all feel natural.

I don’t get out of his lap. I just… can’t.

“Is someone going to tell me why Gris is here?” Mason asks, sounding pissed again.

“No,” I answer, my eyes closing. “No one is telling you.”

“Don’t talk,” Gris slides his hands up and down my back. “Keep the ice on the parts that are swelling.” Then he looks at my brothers. “I think a doctor should be brought in to examine her.”

“I’ll make the call.” Luke pulls his phone from his pocket, and with a few quick buttons, he’s speaking softly into the mouthpiece.

“And him?” Mason points down at Preston.

Gris gives a small shake of his head. “He’ll be fine. He doesn’t need a doctor.”

No one argues.

Mason draws in a deep breath. “Is anyone going to provide any clarity on anything?”

“I saw Preston with another woman,” I whisper. “He knew that I knew, and he came here to force my hand.”

“This was his plan for getting you to marry him?” Luke scoffs.

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