Page 57 of King of Deception

“I’m guessing he also had no idea that Gris was in play,” Mason tries again, looking at Luke.

“I’m sure he didn’t,” Gris answers. I lift my face to protest, but he gently runs a hand up into my hair, keeping my head on his chest. “And technically, I’m not in play. Just helping out a friend.”

I give a small snort.

“Which friend is that?” Mason asks.

“Me. I’m the friend,” Luke answers as he hangs up.

I groan. Not because of the pain but because the one thing I thought I got right is about to explode. I know it.

My brothers are about to break each other into a million pieces.

Mason is standing in a second. “Why would you put our enemies in charge of our sister?”

“First,” Luke grunts back, “That piece of shit is the enemy, and you gave him an unlimited-access pass. And then Bella was ignoring my calls and texts. I needed a way in, so she didn’t marry that fucking guy.”

Mason shakes his head. “This was the plot she was referring to at dinner. The thing you did to her, that was like what I did to Kate.”

Luke scrubs at his face. “It wasn’t my best idea. But let’s be honest, we all know I’m the worst at this game. Which is why you should buy me out, no matter what Bella says.”

Mason snorts. “Fuck off.” I tense, knowing my brothers are about to explode, until Mason lets out a long breath. “You did a better job of protecting Bella than I did.”

I lift my head. Really? I didn’t see this coming.

But then Mason points a finger at Gris. “But you are getting the fuck out of my sister’s apartment, and you are never to see her again.”

“No.” The single word is from Gris.

He doesn’t move, he’s like granite underneath me.

“Look, fucker,” Mason stares at Gris with hard eyes. “If you ever want a hope of doing business with me again, you’ll walk out the door and never come back.”

Gris is so still, I hold my breath, as I tip back to look up at him. He’s staring back at Mason with unwavering strength.

Neither would hurt me.

But being caught between them…

I shiver and Gris automatically wraps me up tighter. “Gris,” I say softly. “It’s all right. Think of your family.”

I’m giving him permission. And an out.

“Is that what you want me to do? Leave you?”

My body revolts before I can stop it, gripping at his shirt tighter. He still hasn’t moved a muscle.

Maybe I should forget what I know. Pretend he might feel the same and sink into him. He’d take care of me. And the sex…

But what if he turns into Preston? Angry at being chained to a woman he didn’t love?

I can’t think tonight. I’m battered and bruised and exhausted by all that’s happened. “Can we please talk about this tomorrow, Mason?”

“He needs to leave.”

“He stays,” I answer softly back.

Mason lets out a long, frustrated breath, but doesn’t argue. Instead, he crouches down again. “I can’t stand here and do nothing. Let me look at her.”

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