Just One Scandal (The Kingston Family 2)

While waiting for someone to answer, he shifted on his feet, knowing if it was Chloe, he’d be groveling immediately. Anything to undo the pain and damage he’d done.

The door opened and Xander Kingston stood in front of him. He was buffer than Linc and had a full beard covering his face. Even his stance said ex-marine. Apparently being a thriller writer hadn’t softened him one bit.

“Beck,” the man said, stepping aside so he could enter.

He walked inside, turned, and shook the other man’s hand. “Good to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“From Chloe.” Xander dropped his sister’s name between them, the glare in his eyes matching his expression.

Another Kingston brother ready to kill him, and Beck couldn’t even blame him. “Is she here?”

Xander cocked an eyebrow. “I heard the shower go on a few minutes ago. I’m sure she’ll be out soon.”

“You didn’t give her a heads-up that I was coming?” Beck asked.

Xander shrugged. “I figured it would give you and me time to talk. This way.” He tipped his head, gesturing for Beck to follow.

He ended up in a nice-size kitchen, seated at a round table, Chloe’s brother staring at him. Unsure what to say, Beck remained silent.

“Well?” Xander finally asked.

“Well, what?”

“Why are you here? Unless it’s to apologize and grovel, I suggest you leave before Chloe comes in.” Xander leaned back in his chair, looking comfortable and relaxed.

But his tone was anything but and extremely familiar. “You sound a lot like Linc. And for what it’s worth, I plan on doing whatever I need to in order to get her back.”

Beck ground his teeth, wishing he didn’t have to go through Chloe’s brothers to get to her. But having just left his sister’s grave, he respected these men and their loyalty to their siblings.

“You’d better hope Chloe’s more forgiving than I was.”

Beck’s stomach twisted at the thought of Chloe not giving him a second chance. Instead of focusing on the negative, he latched on to something Xander had said. “More forgiving than you were. Sounds like you have an ex out there who screwed you over.”

He didn’t expect Xander to elaborate, but the other man leaned forward in his seat, elbows on the table. “When I got my first movie deal, I was out in LA, and I got involved with someone just starting out, too. An actress.”

“Anyone I’d know?”

Xander met his gaze, paused, then said, “Sasha Keaton.”

“Holy shit,” Beck muttered. She was a hot commodity in show business.

“Right. Except she wasn’t a name then. Just a girl I fell for, but she wasn’t the person I thought she was.” He shrugged as if it meant nothing, but a muscle ticked in his jaw, and Beck knew whoever this woman was, she meant something to Xander Kingston.

“I won’t hurt Chloe again,” Beck said.

“You’d better not. I may sound like Linc but I have a much better right hook.” He didn’t look like he was joking, either.

“Understood.”

“Beck?” Chloe’s voice had him standing and turning to face her.

She stood in the entry to the kitchen, her eyes wide as she stared at him, blinking as if she couldn’t believe he was here and not some figment of her imagination. She wore a pair of leggings and an oversized tee shirt that fell just above her knee. His shirt. And since he couldn’t read her expression, he chose to take hope from her choice of clothing.

“And that’s my cue to leave.” Xander rose from his chair and glanced at Beck. “I meant what I said.”

“Never thought you didn’t,” Beck muttered, done with the Kingston brothers’ posturing. Although given Xander had opened up to him, he understood where the man was coming from.

“What’s going on?” Chloe asked.

“You have a visitor.” Xander kissed her cheek. “I have a feeling you won’t be needing me anymore, so I’m going to get some things together and head back to the Hamptons. You can stay here as long as you want, but if you go, keep the key.” He glanced at Beck. “Just in case.”

He walked out, leaving them alone with Beck feeling as if the life he wanted was on the line.

* * *

Chloe let her brother leave, using the time to gather herself before turning back and meeting Beck’s gaze. She’d woken up this morning to the sun streaming through the window, but her mood hadn’t matched the beauty of the day. She’d wondered if subconsciously she’d been holding out hope she’d hear from Beck by now, because no matter how hard she tried, each day away from him had been more and more difficult. She’d told herself to give up.

Now he was here, looking handsome in his jeans and a black tee shirt, tempting her with what she couldn’t have. And it hurt.

“Can we talk?” he asked, breaking the silence.

“Sure.” She took a step into the kitchen, planning to sit at the table.