Page 55 of King of Lies
“You don’t need it,” he says with a smile. “If you order anything other than the fish and chips, you’re mad. Although the meat pie is also good.”
“So what are you getting?”
“The fish and chips and a beer.”
“Okay.”
“May I order for you?” he asks me and it’s sweet that he asked after his caveman moment in Mr. Stephens’s jewelry shop.
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
A woman approaches the table and the way she looks at Rhys makes my stomach sour. Is this going to be my life? Everywhere I go, women—his past lovers and bedmates, most likely—are going to be pawing at him? I’m not sure I can stomach a lifetime of that.
She fawns all over him while taking our order and never once looks at me, not even when I ask for a glass of water. To be honest, it’s a coin toss whether or not that glass of water is coming. I turn my head and stare out at the sea. It feels like every other minute I’m trying to decide if I can live this life, never fully committing to it for more than a moment.
“It’s not like that,” he says quietly, drawing my attention back to him.
“Not like what?”
“She’s interested. I know it and so does everyone else,” he says, and I look away again. I don’t want him to see the hurt on my face that he’s said it so plainly. “But that’s all it is. I won’t lie and tell you that I’ve been a monk, you know that, but I’ve never fucked around here. I don’t shit where I eat. This village is safe for you in that regard, where the castle is currently not.”
“Thank you, I think.”
“I would give you a heads up if you were going to meet a past lover.”
“You didn’t with Suzanne.”
“I didn’t know she was going to be here,” he says quickly. “And you weren’t ready. I needed you tied to me before giving you more of the truth regarding this life and it’s burdens.”
“That sounds awfully caveman again.”
“Aye, it is, and I don’t bloody care. I want you and now you’re mine.”
The waitress brings our drinks and meals, and I was right, no water, but now I can’t be bothered to care. I thank her even though she’s not listening and break open the piping hot fish filet.
Rhys and I tuck into our meals with easy conversation. When he’s like this, my Rhys, the one who won me over in Virginia, he’s easy to be around. This is the man I fell in love with. This is the man I gave myself to completely.
But not long after we’ve finished our meals, the energy in the room turns dark. I turn my head and watch as Leo takes a phone call. While he listens to whomever is speaking, he glances over at our table. Leo ends the call and strides over. He leans in and whispers something to Rhys, who stands and pulls some bills from his pocket before tossing them on the table.
“I’m sorry, Hen, but we have to go,” he says.
“Sure,” I reply and slide out of the booth quickly.
He hands me my coat and I pull it on fast. I hold my scarf in my hand as he takes my other hand in his and leads me out of the pub and back to the car. Leo holds open the door for us and we slide in quickly. The door slams shut behind us and as soon as Leo climbs in, the driver speeds away, back to the castle.
A pall has fallen over the occupants of this vehicle and it’s then that I know what has changed even though no one has yet to speak the words aloud.
The king is dead.
And I have no idea just how dangerous my situation has become …
Chapter 21
The crown changes hands
The silence in the car is deafening. I don’t know what to do other than sit here and silently wait for cues from Rhys. I carefully reach across the bench seat, breaching the chasm between us, and place my hand on top of his. Immediately, he flips his hand over to twine his fingers with mine and squeeze, but we still don’t talk.
