To Kiss A King

“I don’t consider him an enemy. But it appears he sees our family that way. I know you have questions, and I’ll say this much. Things have happened in our family that we thought may have been caused by other sources. However, considering the things he said, I can’t discount that he may somehow be involved.”

“So, you want me to watch him?”

“Watch, listen, and report. The less you know about me or the situation, the better. Declan is a smart man. If he mentions a name that you shouldn’t know, you need to fit the part. I’m not asking you to be an actress, so again, the less is better.”

Curious by nature, I asked my next question, anyway. “You know of no reason he may dislike you or your family.”

“Our business can be competitors. And there was something between a family member of mine and his that caused some tension. Nothing that rises to any level of hate.”

“You’re not going to tell me more, are you?”

He shook his head. “Trust me when I say Declan will test you without you knowing it.”

And there it was. “Why do you think he would hire me?”

A smile played across his lips. “Oh, you intrigued him as much as he intrigued you.”

“What?” I balked. “I loathed him.” Which was such a lie.

“Miss Young, you must understand that I’m good at reading people. In order to be who I am in my club, I need to be very good at nonverbal communication.”

“You mean the sex club,” Because like everyone else in New York who followed the Kings, like some follow the Kardashians, you’ve heard about Connor’s club but likely never got an invite to attend.

“It’s not a sex club.” His eyes were cold when he spoke, and I wanted the seat to swallow me. “I don’t judge what others do behind closed doors and neither should you. I offer a safe place where like-minded people can consensually come together to do things they enjoy. And I saw your response to Declan. There was a part of you hating yourself for liking the things he did.” As shame wanted to fill me, he said, “There is no shame in that. Overall, he treated you well.”

“Forcing me naked and you saw.”

“It was for your safety, and it will be deleted at the conclusion of our meeting. Note that I had an AI program watching most of it. I only looked if certain protocols were heard that alerted me to watch and make sure you were okay.”

As much as I wanted to deny the things he said, I’d heard him ask Mr. Fisk for a name. I had been reasonably cared for and not violated. Yes, I’d been naked, but that had been explained as well. If I felt so violated, why hadn’t I gone to the police? I hadn’t.

“What do I get out of this?” He said he had an offer or opportunity. That had to come with benefits, right?

“I’ll pay you the same salary I offered for this admin job to watch, listen and report on Declan’s activities as it relates to me and my family.”

I strummed my fingers on the table, not thinking of a good reason not to take this opportunity. Besides, Declan wouldn’t hire me. “What if he doesn’t offer me the job?”

Connor looked as though he had inside information as he smirked. “He will. Trust me, he will.”

He detailed more things and protocols I’d have to follow so we wouldn’t be caught. Most of all, he said, I would likely have to move.

That was how I found myself in Chicago in an office suite with exposed brick walls and other modern industrial feels. I was ushered into a conference room with glass walls. Minutes later, the man himself came into view. Declan King.

This was the important part. The only part Connor said I’d have to play. I had to look utterly shocked to see him. If I couldn’t pull that off, this would be over before it began.

NINE

“Little bird, what brings you to my door?”

I didn’t have to feign surprise. He looked different in a suit. The glasses he wore were black and disguised him as much as they did for Clark Kent, which was not at all.

“A job. I thought I’d be seeing Mr. Hudson.”

He moved closer. “How did you find me?”

Stay as close to the truth if you have to lie had been Connor’s advice. “Connor offered me compensation and a vague explanation about what happened. During which I might have admitted that I knew he owned a club and if he knew of anyone who wanted an untrained…”

“Submissive,” Declan offered. “You can say the word, little bird.”

“Yes. That. He said that he wasn’t taking on any more…” I glanced away, playing coy. “Submissives… I asked him if he knew anyone he could trust that would have me and that I was open to leaving New York.”