Page 62 of King of Deception

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Gris

Preston is sittingwith his back against the couch, his eyes looking dazed and confused. “Not dead?” I can’t keep the irritation from my voice.

“No,” Mason shifts. “The doctor revived him. Said that Preston likely has a concussion and he’d need to be watched tonight.”

“Where is the good doctor?”

“Gone,” Mason answers quickly. “Don’t worry. He’s paid well for his silence.”

I give a quick nod. “How does Preston seem?”

Mason looks back at Preston as drool dribbles down his chin. “He’s not quite sure where he is or how he got here.”

“Like I said. Neighbor knows he’s here. At least for tonight, he needs to go home and be tucked in his bed.”

“Could have a concussion. He might die in his sleep.”

Nothing would make me happier. “Again, if we’re being honest, him dying tonight would be… problematic. At least from a culpability standpoint.”

“You’re a scary motherfucker, you know that?” Mason grins at me. “So what’s the play?”

I reach for my phone and dial Killian.

This is a perfect job for him.

He picks up on the second ring. “Hello?”

I can hear voices in the background. A piano playing. “Are you at a piano bar?” My brother is a hard-drinking killing machine. He doesn’t do soft piano music. He doesn’t do soft anything.

“None of your fucking business.”

That is Killian. And I should get to the point. “I need your help.”

“Coming. Address?”

I pull out my burner and text his.

“How long until he gets here?”

“I’d tell you if I knew where he was coming from.” I shrug as I watch Preston. The doctor is shining a light in his eyes, checking his reflexes.

“I’m going to have Killian take him home. Watch him. Make sure he doesn’t die.”

“That doesn’t seem at all suited to Killian’s normal skill set.”

I give Mason a side eye. “Killian has a very methodical nature. He’ll catalogue the details for later.”

Mason gives a single nod. “So Preston is a problem you’ll take care of.”

“I will. Gladly. And in the meantime, I’m moving Arabella to my apartment.”

I expect Mason to argue but he doesn’t.

Luke comes back in, a bag of food in hand that he sets on the counter.

“Luke can stay with you until Killian arrives. If you two don’t mind, I’ve got a long night ahead of me.”

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