King Read online

  “Let me show you my other rooms.” King took her arm, walking her across the crowded floor where there was a set of three doors. King keyed in a number, opening the door in the middle and allowing Evie to go first. His hand on her back gave her a gentle nudge forward.

  “I’ve got it, Trey. Take a break.” The large man who provided security stood up from the stool he was sitting on and left the room. King leaned back against the wall, studying Evie as she took in what was going on in the two rooms.

  The room they were standing in was the size of a large closet. There were two doors that each led into the two separate rooms. King was sure it was what was going on in the two rooms that had her mouth dropping open; each opulent bedroom had occupants having sex. King crossed his arms over his chest as he watched her reaction.

  A feral grin came to his lips when he saw her nipples tighten and she shifted her weight. Her unconscious movements aroused King’s predatory instincts.

  “Is this supposed to turn me on?” Evie turned back to face him, taking him by complete surprise. “Sorry, I don’t get turned on by women getting paid to take it up the ass. Nor being paid to pretend to be a high schooler.” Her eyes narrowed on his. “She is pretending, isn’t she?”

  “Of course, I don’t deal in kids. What kind of man do you take me for?”

  “Someone who would make a dime off someone taking it up the ass,” she replied sarcastically.

  When King came off the wall with lethal intent, her eyes widened. The bitch had finally realized she had pushed him too far.

  “For your information, the one being paid in that room is Rory, not the woman. She’s a housewife who’s not getting what she needs from her tight-assed husband.

  “It’s taken me several years to work out a system that benefits my clients and my workers. They don’t walk the streets or get hurt by someone because that’s how that sicko gets off. I provide safe, monitored rooms that are clean and clients are checked out before they are even touched. So I take my cut? It’s a lot less than anyone else would take, and they don’t have to worry if they’ll still be breathing afterward.”

  Evie didn’t apologize for her harsh words, but she lost the accusing look from her eyes.

  King’s hand went to the back of her neck, bringing her to his chest. “Everyone should be allowed to fulfill their fantasy.” His lips traced across the line of her jaw until he came to her mouth, taking it with his. Her lips parted under the pressure and he took advantage, his tongue sliding into the silky warmth of her mouth. She tasted like the expensive whiskey she had just drunk.

  King groaned, leaning into her further, bracing his weight with a hand on the wall behind her. He again took advantage of her hesitation, controlling the kiss, using years of experience with women to raise her desire. When he smelled the sweet scent of her arousal, he took his mouth away, tracing his mouth to the delicate shell of her ear. “What’s your fantasy, Evie?”

  Chapter 9

  Evie put her hands on his chest, giving herself breathing room. “I don’t have one.”

  “Everyone has a fantasy.”

  “I don’t. I keep my feet planted in reality.” Evie moved away from his touch, going out the door without waiting.

  “That can’t be much fun.” King came up from behind her, taking her arm.

  “It’s time I left.”

  “I’ll give you a ride.”

  “I’m going to leave the same way I came—in a taxi.” Evie refused his offer, not wanting to spend any more time with him until she could rebuild her guard.

  King took his phone out of his pocket while leading her to the door of the VIP room. “Bring the car to the front.”

  Evie came to a sudden stop. “I told you I was taking a taxi.”

  “It’s late, and it will take at least thirty minutes for one to get here. Surely, me giving you a ride to Penni’s won’t take that long. Either way, you’re going to be stuck with my company.”

  Evie sighed, seeing she wasn’t going to win this particular battle. “Okay.” Evie figured the quickest way to get away from him was accepting a ride.

  They went out the front door of the strip club where his black car was already waiting. King opened the door for her and Evie slid inside the car, sinking back against the expensive leather.

  As Henry pulled out into the light traffic, Evie looked out the darkened window. The lights from the tall buildings were beautiful. Treepoint was small; the tallest building there might be seven stories compared to the skyscrapers reaching toward the sky here.

  “It’s been so long since I was in a big city I forgot what it was like,” Evie murmured.

  “Which city did you live in?”

  Evie didn’t answer his question.

  “What are you doing tomorrow night?”

  Evie turned back to him. “Nothing, why?”

  “I’m going to a dinner party, and I want you to come with me.”

  Evie started to refuse then changed her mind. If she was going to find out what she needed to know for Shade, then she needed to see all aspects of his life, both business and personal.

  “I can do that,” Evie replied as if it was no big deal. “Do you need Penni’s address?”

  “No, Henry already knows it.”

  Evie wasn’t surprised. From the information she had already gathered in the past week, there wasn’t much King didn’t know that went on in Queen City.

  Five minutes later, his car slid to a stop in front of Penni’s apartment building. Henry got out and opened the door for her.

  “Goodnight, King.”

  “Goodnight, Evie.” His mocking reply had her wanting to tell him to go fuck himself; instead, she bit back her caustic reply and slid out of the car.

  Penni’s apartment building was the most secure in the city. Shade had paid for it, making her switch from the one Jackal had kidnapped her out of.

  As the doorman let her in, she thanked him, seeing the curious gleam in his eyes as he watched King’s car drive away.

  Afterward, the nosy fucker gave her what couldn’t be a more gracious smile as he pushed the elevator button for her. Evie was relieved when the doors opened. Forcing herself to be polite, she tipped him before going inside.

  Penni was already in bed when Evie let herself in the apartment. Shade had rented Penni a two-bedroom, so Evie went to the bedroom she was staying in. Showering, she got ready for bed, brushing her hair and sliding on one of Rider’s t-shirts.

  Feeling melancholy, she went to her bed, pulling out the gold chain with a locket she wore infrequently now. When Levi had died, she had worn it all the time, never taking it off. Gradually over the last few years, she had placed it in her jewelry box, only wearing it when she had felt his memory slipping away.

  Pressing down, she opened the locket and took out the ring it concealed. Looking down at it, she felt a lump in her throat, battling down the excruciating pain in her chest she felt each time she looked at the diamond. Lying down on the bed, she held the ring in her hand, rubbing her thumb repeatedly over it.

  Nights like this were when she would climb into bed with one of the members and let them take all the heartache away so she would finally be exhausted enough to sleep. Some nights, it would take a couple of them and several glasses of alcohol to drive the pain away and send her into a sleep where she could forget for a few peaceful hours.

  Sighing, she got out of the bed; she wasn’t going to be able to sleep anytime soon. She opened the curtains, taking a chair and pulling it to the window, curling up on it as she stared into the inky darkness with a thousand glittering lights. She stayed at the window long enough to see most of the lights go off as the city fell asleep while she remained wide-awake, reliving her past.

  * * *

  “You look tired tonight.”

  “I never sleep well when I’m away from the club.” She almost put a hand to her face at his comment, but forced herself to appear relaxed.

  Evie waited for King to make a nasty comment an
d was relieved when he didn’t. She was too tired to fence with him tonight.

  King’s car pulled up to a large mansion and Evie raised a brow at it, whistling softly. “It’s a good thing I dressed up.”

  “You look beautiful,” King said, getting out of the car behind her.

  “First, I look tired, and now I’m beautiful. You need to make up your mind.”

  King’s head tilted to the side as he stared down at her. “You look both; beautiful with a touch of vulnerability. It suits you.”

  The mansion was filled with people. Evie wasn’t intimated, however, as she was escorted through the crowded room by King who came to a stop in front of a middle-aged couple.

  “Evie, I’d like to introduce you to Desmond Beck and Marta Lewis.”

  She shook both of their hands as King made the introductions. Evie could tell from one look at his eyes as they traveled over her body that Desmond Beck was a rich, elegant and cold bastard. Marta, on the other hand, was sugary-sweet and didn’t have two brain cells that connected. Her breasts were larger than her IQ.

  Evie was forced to listen to her discuss her latest pedicure as King and Desmond talked about their investment in a building. She listened as they talked about the new leases they had signed while pretending to pay attention to Marta move on to her hairdresser getting married and how painful it was to find a new one.

  Thankfully, it wasn’t long before dinner was served and Evie was finally able to move away from Marta.

  “If you don’t get her away from me, I’m going to scream,” Evie threatened in a low voice.

  “You don’t like her?”

  “A five-year-old would get along with her better than I would.”

  King laughed as he pulled a chair out for her. Evie sat down at the elegant table, studying the people already seated around it. King had surrounded himself with the upper class. From what Shade had told her, King had been dirt poor when he was raised and now had accumulated enough money to move in higher circles. She was disappointed that he fit the cliché of wanting to rub people’s noses in his wealth.

  She took a drink of the expensive wine, not enjoying the taste—Evie had never been much of a wine drinker. Setting her wine glass down, she picked up her water glass instead.

  “You don’t like the wine?” Her host, Desmond, lifted an inquiring brow.

  “The wine is fine. I just don’t care for it.”

  “Let me guess, your drink of choice is whiskey?”

  “I like anything with a kick to it, but if it comes down to just one, I’m just as content with a beer.” Evie picked up her salad fork, ignoring his amused laughter.

  “To tell you the truth, so do I.” Desmond motioned for the server. “Bring us two beers. King?”

  “No, thanks. I’ll stick to the wine.”

  Evie took a bite of her salad, hating it. God, she didn’t miss the days of having to choke down pretentious food made to look prettier than it actually tasted.

  When the server set their beers down, Evie politely uttered her thanks.

  “You’re welcome.” Desmond smiled graciously. “So, how did you meet King?”

  Evie quit pretending to eat her salad. “I met him while he was on vacation.” Evie deliberately didn’t mention Lily.

  “Where did you go on vacation, King?”

  “Kentucky.”

  “Kentucky?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s an interesting spot. I’m afraid I don’t know much about Kentucky,” Desmond mused.

  “It’s beautiful. The mountains, horses and people are worth giving it a visit,” Evie stated.

  “I’ll keep that in mind. Is that where you’re from?”

  “No, it’s where I live now. I’m originally from Atlanta.”

  “A big-city girl going to a small town. That was a big change.”

  “Not really. The adjustment came when I joined the military.”

  “You served overseas?”

  “Yes.” Before he could ask another question, Evie asked one of her own. “You and King are business partners?”

  “Yes, we grew up together.” That did surprise Evie. She had to take back her original assessment of King kissing up to money. However, it had been an easy assumption to make when King’s harsh features bore the signs of his hard upbringing while the man she was seated next to was elegant and refined. “It’s been a very lucrative partnership. I let King handle the business, and I reap all the benefits.”

  Evie heard King’s amused laughter. “Don’t sell yourself short, Desmond. You more than carry your own weight.”

  Desmond lifted his beer to King.

  The next course was much more edible as Evie was able to manage the veal chops. Then, forgoing the designer ice cream, she enjoyed the fruit plate for dessert.

  Desmond escorted her from the dinner table with King following behind. Marta, who was not happy, had lost the friendly attitude she had greeted her with.

  Seating Evie on a chair, Desmond turned to King. “Bring her around again. Your taste is getting better.” He turned to Evie. “I need to circulate. It was nice meeting you, Evie. Come to lunch before you go back to Kentucky.”

  “I don’t know how long I’m staying.” She prevaricated.

  “Perhaps King can lure you away from small-town living. A large city does have its advantages.”

  “So does a small town. At least we grow them smart there.” She looked at Marta, who was impatiently pulling at his sleeve.

  “Touché,” he said, giving her a wry smile before moving away.

  “That wasn’t nice,” King said, sitting down casually on the arm of her chair.

  “I know, and I’m deeply ashamed of myself.” She wasn’t and never would be. Women like Marta were her pet peeve. No one could be that stupid. The woman had deliberately dumbed herself down and had her breasts enlarged a couple of sizes to catch herself a rich lover.

  “You ready to go?”

  “Yes.” She rose to her feet, anxious to get away from the snobs who had been obviously scrutinizing her all evening.

  King escorted her outside where Henry was waiting with the car door open.

  “It’s a thing with him, isn’t it?” Evie asked as soon as King closed the car door.

  “What is?”

  “Opening and closing doors.”

  “It’s his job,” King said, leaning back in the dark car.

  Evie didn’t talk on the way back to Penni’s apartment. When the door opened, she was about to get out when she realized they weren’t at Penni’s.

  “Where are we?”

  “My penthouse. I thought we would have a nightcap.”

  Evie almost didn’t get out. Only the thought of another sleepless night had her following him up.

  She would take a drink or two then leave. There wasn’t a chance anything else would happen. He was Lily’s father, and she was here to find out if he was a danger to her. More importantly, she wasn’t even attracted to him. What could go wrong?

  Chapter 10

  Evie entered his penthouse suite, amazed at the size of the living room.

  “Wow.” She didn’t hide her reaction; the room deserved all the props she could give it. Decorated similarly to his house in Treepoint with black leather couches and glass tables, it fit the room much more than it ever would the small house. The modern furnishing blended with the architecture in the building with a wall of windows that spanned the whole room.

  Evie went directly to the windows to gaze out. “This is fantastic.”

  “Do you want a drink?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Evie turned from the window, going to the couch. Kicking off her high heels, she sat down, curling her feet under her.

  “Make yourself at home,” he said, sitting down next to her and handing her a drink.

  “My feet were killing me. It’s been a long time since I wore heels that tall,” Evie admitted.

  “I would never have known,” King replied. “How did you en
d up with The Last Riders? You obviously have a background where you’re used to money.”

  “I still have money. I just don’t choose to spend it on expensive apartments,” Evie commented, her hand waving around the room. “This is beautiful but artificial.”

  “Did you just insult me?” King set his glass down on the table, placing his arm on the back of the sofa behind her. “What do you spend your money on? Clothes?” His fingers lifted the material of her dress, running it between his fingers.

  “Among other things.”

  “Do you make a lot of money, filling factory orders?”

  “That was a crass comment, besides being out of line.”

  “I’ve never had a problem with what people thought of me.”

  “I bet you don’t have many friends, do you?”

  “No, Desmond and Henry are pretty much it. Yet, I’d like to count you as a friend, Evie. I think we have a lot in common.”

  “We have nothing in common.”

  “You don’t think so? I do. I think both of us are emotional misfits. You can go from man to man without leaving your heart behind. I can go from woman to woman without them touching mine. We’re a match made in Heaven.”

  “Or Hell,” Evie said under her breath, setting her own glass down. “King, I need to set you straight before this goes any further. You can stop flirting with me. You’re not going to succeed in seducing me.”

  “Why not? You’re attracted to me.”

  Evie thought about denying it but decided to be truthful. “You’re a very attractive man. Despite that, I’ve already given you my reasons.”

  “Why? Because I’m Lily’s father?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why would that make you feel uncomfortable when you’ve slept with her husband?”

  Picking up her drink, she finished the contents before setting it back down. “You’re unbelievable.”

  Evie took a deep breath. “Shade and I met in high school. I’ve told you this before. Razer, Lucky and Knox were in the service together, stationed at the same military base. We hung out together on the weekends.”

  Evie could tell he was about to make a smart-ass comment; if he did, she was out of here. Shade could have him. Luckily, he remained quiet.