Page 10 of His Kingdom

“I don’t know her. Why would she mean anything? I’ve known you two assholes for fifteen years, and I’d put a bullet through either of you without blinking. What makes you think a woman I met for five minutes means shit?” I cross my arms over my chest and pin the fuckers with a glare.

“Nice to know you care.” Carlo laughs, and I lift one shoulder in response.

“So, the fact that Charlotte is over there drunk as a skunk, surrounded by a group of guys plying her with more liquor than is good for her, doesn’t bother you at all?” Sammi nods his head to the left.

I take my time to turn and look. And sure enough, Charlotte is sitting in a booth with three men. “Why should it bother me? I don’t know her,” I reply without taking my eyes off them.

“That’s what I thought,” he says. “Want a drink?”

I turn and glare at him. “No, I don’t want a fucking drink,” I grunt.

“Ah, shit. Boss, just remember…public. This bar isvery publicand you’ve got that murderous look going on right now.” Carlo waves a hand at my face.

I shake my head and then I’m pivoting and walking over towards Charlotte before I can think better of it. I stop at her table and clear my throat, gaining the attention of the three guys surrounding her. I glare at the one sitting next to her. Blocking her exit from the booth. Blockingmy accessto her.

“Move,” I tell him.

“We’re good here,” the fucker says.

“Oh boy, you shouldn’t do that.” I hear Sammie’s voice behind me.

My hand clutches the asshole’s collar and I lift him out of the booth. “I said move,” I tell the guy before shoving him backwards. Then I turn back and hold out my hand towards Charlotte. “I’ve been looking for you,” I lie.

“You have? Why?”

“We had plans to go swimming.” Another lie. But I’ll use whatever I can to get her to leave with me willingly. Though I’m not opposed to picking her up and dragging her out. It’s not as if anyone is going to stop me.

“Swimming? Really? You’re going to come with me this time?” she asks excitedly.

“Sure.”

“Charlotte, do you know this guy?” one of the other fuckers in the booth asks.

“Mhmm, this is Louie. He’s nice. And hot, right? Like how is a man allowed to be that good looking? I think if you strip off that suit, there’s probably a manufacturer’s warning on his skin,” she says.

“A manufacturer’s warning?” Carlo asks.

“Yep, like…Caution! Don’t stare for too long because your brain will turn to mush. Or maybe…Touch at own risk. Because of, you know, how hot he is.” Charlotte’s eyes continue to roam over my body.

“Right.” Carlo laughs.

“Charlotte, let’s go.” I reach down and pick up her hand, and she willingly slides out of the booth.

“Okay, swimming, right?” she asks, looking up at me while stumbling on her feet as she stands.

My arm wraps around her waist, steadying her. “Mhmm.” I nod, having no intention of letting her near a damn pool when she’s this wasted.

Charlotte’s hand lands on my chest. Moving up and down. Patting me at the same time a smile spreads across her face. “You must work out a lot,” she says.

“Come on, let’s get out of here.” I turn to leave and find my two friends standing there. Laughing.

“Nothing, huh?” Sammie raises his eyebrows at me.

“Shut the fuck up,” I hiss at him.

“You need a hand?” Carlo asks.

“Yeah, get rid of those assholes.” I dip my chin towards the booth, not letting go of Charlotte as we slowly make our way over to the bank of elevators.

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