Page 64 of King of Cruelty

The natural ease, and sizzling heat, between them came through loud and clear. Whatever happened between them in New York cemented their relationship. Somehow I ended up sharing a woman with my brothers and my uncle, and I still don’t know how that happened.

I had no problem with my parents’ relationship, but I never wanted it for myself. I never wantedanyrelationship for myself. But here I was with my father’s words echoing in my head.

You can love a woman so much that their happiness becomes everything. The reason you live and breathe. The reason you get out of bed in the morning.

So if another man and another love can give her that happiness, then they’re not your rival or your enemy. They’re one of the smartest men on earth, because they see in her what you see.

My dad wasn’t always able to speak to me growing up, but when he did, he said words that lived in my head forever.

River looked me in the eyes as he climbed out, closed the door, and kicked the rug back over it. I could see the tension in his shoulders and challenge in his eyes, waiting for me to have shit to say about him and Kenzie. I could also see Kenzie standing behind him... and the expression on her face.

I held out my hand. “I’m sorry, man.”

River frowned. “You’re what?”

“I’m sorry for how everything went down between us. I’m sorry that I was part of the reason you didn’t feel welcome with your own family. I thought I was protecting my mom but...” I blew out a breath, shaking my head. “But my mother has never needed protecting. What I should’ve done was have your back. And from here on, I will.”

He leaned back, considering me. “I... Thanks, man. I appreciate you saying that, and for what it’s worth”—he took my hand—“I’m sorry too.

“I’ve got to admit I took it to the next level by going after you guys and your businesses the way I did. Pantsing you all on the playground, showing you up, and making you cry like bitches,” he mused. “All I can say in my defense is that it was very easy and incredibly funny.”

“River!” Kenzie cried, making him laugh.

“But that’s all in the past now,” he continued, shaking my hand warmly. “Let’s just leave it there, and focus on the real enemy.”

“Agreed.” I made for the door, taking my Kenzie along with me. “So does this mean I’ve got to start calling you Uncle River now?”

“Egh, no.” River fell in step with us, exiting the first-floor linen closet that served a dual purpose. “It’s still weird as hell to me that I’ve got a nephew who’s five years older than me.”

“As weird as dating that old nephew’s girlfriend?”

Kenzie snapped her head up. “Girlfriend? Did you just say girlfriend?”

“Yes, I did. You got a problem with that?”

Kenzie gave me a smile so beatific I almost kicked my own ass for waiting this long to make her this happy.

“No,” she whispered, rising up to kiss me. “I don’t have a problem with that at all.”

“What now?” River asked. “Who is going to pick off all those snipers and chase the assassins from your doorstep, if you’re all locked down in here?”

“What do you mean who?” Kenzie spoke up.

We came out of the back hallway and crossed under the staircase, making for the old servants’ elevator.

“Haven’t you called the police?”

I shook my head. “We don’t call the police.”

“Don’t?”

“Don’t,” I said firmly. “Calling the bomb squad down on the gas station was a one-time necessity. Dozens of innocent lives were at risk. But we’re criminals, Kenzie. The cops aren’t on our side. And they shouldn’t be, because then they’d be dirty as hell.

“If we get them involved, they’ll use that as leverage to put us in the same cell as the Brotherhood. It’s not worth it.” I rubbed her arm soothingly. “Not even now.”

“But then what are you going to do? You said it was being taken care of. That’s why I told Sienna it would only be a few hours. She and Laurel can’t wander around the park all day and night.”

“They won’t have to. Trust me. It is being taken care of right about...” I checked my watch. “Now. We can go up and watch if you’d like.”

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