Page 41 of Out of the Shadow

My breath catches on his words. “I love my husband, so my answer is a great, big, huge yes. He’s my soul mate, the one and only person for me. That’s the way life is supposed to be.”

“If you say so. I don’t agree. Soul mates can last an hour, a week, maybe a month or two—and then you find another one.”

“That is so sad.”

“Well, what do I know? I’m just insanely good-looking without an ounce of body fat on me.” He picks a piece of lint off his trousers and lets it drop onto the floor. “You live your life how you like, and I’ll carry on as I see fit. Got it?”

Hurt lurks behind his words, although he probably doesn’t know it. Heat steals up to my ears at this evidence that he heard Marlene and me making fun of him. “Sorry,” I mumble.

He tips his glass at me. “For the record, I do appreciate being thought of as insanely good-looking.”

I have to smile at that, although my mind returns to what he said about his upbringing. What a terrible job his parents did on him. They made him believe that everything in life is disposable, people, too. For what feels like the millionth time since I met King, I say a quick prayer of thanks for my own family. And for Dante. I would never exchange my life for King’s, no matter how much money he has.

The scenery changes from a cityscape to houses with expansive lots and prominent ocean views, and I know we’re almost to the Maguires. King and I both return to our notes.

The limo turns into a long driveway and I put my pad back into my briefcase. Although I should be focused on the challenge at hand, my mind returns to the heartache King must carry with him every day. Before we pull up to the front door, I make a pact with myself to try to get him to reconcile with either his mother or father, maybe both. He needs unconditional love in his life. One of those relationships has to be salvageable.

We come to a stop in front of the door, and it immediately opens, revealing Kaitlyn. The salty air tickles my nose as I absorb the imposing mansion in front of me. The photos I studied made the house appear warm and inviting, when in reality it’s cold and sterile. I mentally add some flowers to the front stoop and a welcome mat. We need to warm this place up.

“Right on time,” Kaitlyn says with a nod. “Great. Let’s get some shots of you checking out the front before knocking. When you’re done, Tessa and Liam are waiting inside.”

While the crew finishes setting up the cameras, I take in the perfect structure and grounds. It’s imposing and larger than life, a lot like King. I can’t help remembering the way he held me on the beach. The way he listened to me about Dante. No, I amend. He’s not imposing. He was neglected, but he’s still kind. He just doesn’t want anyone to know it.

Kaitlyn returns to us. “Okay, ready? Walk around, inspect the property. You can talk and interact, or not, whatever feels right.” When we both nod, she says, “And go!”

Pull yourself together, Angie. Don’t let your opponent’s soft side get to you.

King points to the upper-level windows as we start our walk. “The leaded windows make a forceful statement.”

Still feeling a bit positive toward King, I reply, “I think flower boxes would warm this place up.”

He snorts. “It’s a stone mansion, for goodness’ sake. It doesn’t need any girly touches.”

And just like that, I’m back in the game. I point toward the English gardens at the back of the house. “And I suppose that’s a girly touch?”

He waves his hand dismissively. “It’s in the back. The front is for impact.”

“I, for one, wouldn’t want to be so grandiose. Youwantpeople to come in and check out the property. If it’s too imposing, it’ll repel them before they hit the front door.”

“Well, I think the house clearly statesI’ve made it, come in if you think you’re worthy.”

“You do understand that we want people to show up, right? You can’t challenge them to a duel before they even cross the threshold.”

He turns and puts his hands on his slim hips. “We want people to feel like they’ve earned the right to enter.”

I mimic his stance. “Wewant people to be excited to check out the space.”

We stand facing each other, nostrils flaring. Because I can’t help myself, I say, “I bet you want to give out numbers for tours so that prospective buyers have to wait their turn to be led through the property.”

“I hadn’t thought of that, but now that you mention it, I think it’s a damn good idea. Creates a sense of anticipation.”

I throw my hands up and give him my back. King approaches. “You know, when I’m done with my presentation, the Maguires are going to say good-bye to whatever you’ve come up with.”

I raise my chin. “Keep dreaming. I let you have that win with the Dansons, but all bets are off now that we’re out here in the field. Or on the beach, more accurately.”

“You didn’t let me win last time, and I’m going to prove it by wiping the floor with you now.”

“We’ll see about that.”

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