Page 66 of King's Barber
He glanced at me, eyes narrowed. “Beaumont.”
“So, I’m no longer Quain?” Something ached in my chest, but I ignored it.
“I’m not Luke, am I?” He grunted and made a noise of triumph when he finally got the front door unlocked.
“Would you like me to call you Luke?” I stepped toward him but stopped when he gave me a dirty look.
“I’d rather you not call me a fucking thing.” He shifted closer, standing right in front of me, his tone dropping dangerously. “I told you, we’re done.” This was the real reason he was a King. He might have been a shit-stirrer and prankster, but he was still a killer. Like me.
“And I accepted that. Now get out of my face before I slam you through that window.” I nodded at the glass of his shop with his business name stickered onto it.
His lips curved almost teasingly, and for a brief moment I saw the Luke I was used to seeing. “I dare you,assassin.”
I stepped closer and then backed away again. As tempting as it was, I was still undercover with my own employees, and as far as they were concerned, I was an uptight man who definitely couldn’t take on a biker in a physical fight. “I’ll be seeing you around, Mr. Booth. Just so you know, I’m going out of town for a while.”
“Another assignment?” His voice had softened, and if I lookedreallyhard, I could see the concern behind his words.
“It’s my job.” I swiped my tongue over my dry mouth and sighed. “I don’t say this often, and you will never get it again, so listen carefully.” I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about your father. It was my job to stay undercover, and… the sex wasn’t part of it. I’d been following you long enough that I could stay in the shadows and you wouldn’t have known.”
He laughed. “That makes me feel so much better. Thank you for that.” Leaning closer until his breath tickled my mouth, he added, “Did you enjoy watching me fuck other people? Is that your thing?”
“No.” I raised my chin and laid my palm on his chest, and surprisingly he didn’t back away. The blue cotton shirt he had on was soft under my fingers, and the navy suspenders matched it well, but while Luke was many things, he’d always been more stylish than he knew. He was a hip guy, not that I’d ever say that to him. “I’ve seen people fuck before, and at first it meant nothing to me. But when we started having sex, I didn’t want to see you with anyone else but me.”
The vulnerability of the statement surprised me. Telling Luke this was presenting him my heart on a platter, and he could do whatever he wanted with it.
Surprise washed over his face, his eyes widening. He stepped away from my hand and shook his head. “Get the fuck out of my sight. Tell Father I said fuck off, too.”
“I’m done with him, Luke. I ended my contract last week.”
He wasn’t listening, though. He pushed open the door of his shop, the bell tinkling, but I grabbed him before he could get any farther. Spinning on me, his face turned thunderous.
“I haven’t finished talking.” I leaned closer. “Now that this is over, stay away from KC, or you’ll live to regret it.”
He shook off my hold before he closed the door behind himself—nearly hitting me in the face. I sighed and massaged my temples before heading to my salon. All I needed to do was work out a few things with Jorge and then I was gone. Next week I’d be heading to the airport, away from New Gothenburg again.
Running from my heart.
* * *
With the lastof my bags packed into my car, I turned to KC and held out my arms. He glanced away from me for a second, his jaw quivering, before he strode toward me and let me wrap my arms around him. I kissed his forehead and he sighed into my embrace.
“Come home, Pa. You and Gramps are all I have.”
“I promise.” I tightened my hold, not willing to let him go just yet. The hardest part of leaving was because of KC. I hated saying goodbye to him more than anything. “Be good for Grandpa, okay? Do as he says, and if you don’t want to go hunting, tell him.” I gave Dad a glare over KC’s shoulder and he laughed, holding up his palms toward me.
“Yeah, I will.” KC sighed as he extracted himself from my hug and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He stared out toward the rest of the neighborhood with their big mansions and high gates. “Call me every couple of days?”
“Always.” I cupped the side of his neck and squeezed it in reassurance. “I want you to keep your grades up, Mr. Beaumont. If I hear you’re being lazy, I will fly my ass here and kick yours, am I clear?”
He laughed, gaze brightening as he nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Good boy.” Warmth filled my chest as I dragged him in for another hug. I’d miss him more than anyone. Giving him one last kiss on the forehead, I dragged myself away and went to give my dad a hug, too.
“Stay safe,” Dad said with a pursed mouth.
“I will.Youkeep my son safe.”
“You say that like I’d ever let anything happen to him.” He patted me on the shoulder. “Take care. Kill those fuckers and don’t get caught.”
