Page 32 of King of Desire

“What?”

“Lost both her parents. In charge of a sibling when she’s far too young for a burden like that.” A raw, unguarded tension pulls at Mason’s features. “She carries the burden with dignity and grace, but not nearly as much strength, and it’s a huge burden.”

I get it. My hand tightens around my glass. “I can make you a promise. I will only leave her better than I found her, Mason. Money. Connections. Doctors and care for her brother. However the relationship goes, I will be her benefactor.”

He gives a single nod, setting down his nearly full glass. “I can accept that. Let’s go rouse up the board, shall we? We’ve got a takeover to conduct and some Russians to drive out of Vegas.”

I set my drink down too, tapping the rim as a sense of dread pulls at my stomach.

Have I changed my mind?

Why should I? This deal will break open our business. But it’s also going to incite the Russians.

And as I think of delicate Honeyeh at my side, in my life... The idea of inviting more trouble that might touch her…

I shut that thought down; she’s a temporary distraction, nothing more. I pull at the lapels of my jacket. “Let’s do this.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Honeyeh

Charlotte gets drawninto another conversation and I do my best to amuse myself while Triston is gone.

I sample a few of the appetizers, chat with random guests, do my best to look as though I belong in this world.

But as I’m between conversations and feeling very awkward, I get a tap on my shoulder.

I turn around to find Brittany from my last waitressing job standing behind me.

“Brittany,” I gasp, turning to hug her. “I can’t believe you’re here. I was thinking of you just yesterday.”

She hugs me back. “Me too. I wondered if I’d see you here.” She steps back, her eyes moving down me. “You look like you stepped out of the movie,Pretty Woman.”

I flush. It’s a compliment and I appreciate it, but also… “You look great too.”

She preens, strutting in a circle, as she strikes several poses. “I came with one of my regulars. He’s an amazing tipper, but he likes to see a lot of skin.”

I’m not judging. The truth is, what I’m doing tonight is not that far off from being an escort. I’d like to have some moral high ground, but with Darius and his condition, I simply can’t.

An older, portly man moves to stand at her side, his beefy hand coming to her back. He looks completely smitten and Brittany gives him a charming smile in return. “This is my friend, Honeyeh. Honeyeh, this is John Waltham.”

He barely looks at me, which I honestly consider a point in his favor. I wonder if he’d marry her?

Brittany seems like she could use the stability.

John leaves again to fetch drinks for us and we both watch him go. “How serious is it with him?”

Brittany shrugs. “Maybe serious. I have all these dreams, you know, but also, I’m tired of messing around with a bunch of guys who only want one thing, you know?”

“Yeah.” I never wanted to mess with those guys, so I get it.

“I’m getting some money together to take one more modeling class. If that doesn’t work…” She shrugs. “How’s working for Triston Smith?”

“Weird,” I answer with a small shiver. I don’t even know how to tell her that the attraction I feel is making it so difficult for me to make rational decisions.

And then there is the way he treats me, which is not quite like an employee, but not like a girlfriend either. I sigh, with a shake of my head. “Working for a man that good looking is just tough.”

She laughs then. “If I worked for him, I think I’d just throw myself naked in front of him and see if he took me up on the offer.”

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