Kingdom Fall

“I swear, I didn’t know that.”

I crossed my arms, lifting my eyebrow. I didn’t believe him, but I’d give him a chance to explain.

He swallowed. “Kalen said something today, asking me why I married you but said I needed to hear it from Da.”

That was the first time I’d heard Striker say something that sounded faintly Irish.

“Kalen knew, but you didn’t? You know how hard that is to believe?”

His stare went flat. “I’ve never outright lied to ye. I told you before, trust is a big thing. If you can’t trust me, we can’t do this.”

“I’ll be honest, I’m having a hard time believing you.”

“Then ask away. I swear on my life, I’ll tell you the truth. And if you don’t think I’m being honest with you, you can stay here and I’ll go home. When Da is released from the hospital, I’m sure Griffin or Kalen would have figured something else out.”

I didn’t bother telling him that there was no way I was staying here if we were done. First, I had questions. “Who is the artist who did the paintings in your apartment and the ones at my gallery showing?”

He glanced away. “Me.”

Part of me had guessed. The man had serious talent. But I couldn’t overlook the other issue. “Another lie by omission.”

“You didn’t talk to me for months. And when you did, your life was on the line. I’m sorry I didn’t exactly think about my paintings.”

It was a good reason. “What about the painting Hans wanted to buy? Was that me?”

He nodded.

“When did you paint it?”

“The first time I saw you in my apartment”

I got a bad feeling, but I asked anyway. “When?”

He stepped forward, but I backed up. “Lizzy, I didn’t know.”

“Didn’t know what?”

“That you were staying in my house. I came to paint and found you sleeping in my bed.”

I clenched my teeth but forced the words out anyway. “And you said nothing?”

“What would you have done?” I opened my mouth, but nothing came out and he continued. “Exactly. Strange man in the house wakes you up? I doubt it would be a civil conversation even though from the law, I would have been in the right.”

“Kalen said—”

“Kalen didn’t own the penthouse. He didn’t ask my permission. If I’d known… the first thing I did was call him.”

“Why? If I was Goldilocks in your house, why call him and not the police?”

I couldn’t read his expression. His face was devoid of expression. “Because he’s the only other person with a key. I wanted to talk to him first.”

As I thought back, I remembered something. “Were you there when Griffin came?”

“He arrived before I could leave.”

I held up a finger because I hadn’t been crazy. “You were in the pantry. I remember the door being open that night and closed in the morning.”

“Yes.”

“I can’t believe this. That’s why you were at the bar. You knew.” The puzzle started to put itself together and my heart cracked from the growing embers of anger. “You talked to Griffin that night. Maybe he was waiting because he’d been looking for you,” I said, remembering how Griffin had charged in and asked Where is he? Connor’s lips pursed. “And the bet you mentioned at the wedding?” I asked.

“With you or him?”

“Him!” I shouted because I didn’t want to be reminded of the bet he’d never claimed.

“I didn’t want him to have you.”

I laughed, feeling incredibly foolish. “You knew I was interested in you.”

“And I was interested in you.”

I let out a sour laugh because I’d felt completely humiliated by his rejection. “You didn’t act like it.”

He reached for me but let his hand drop when I glared at it. “I’m like you. I didn’t date rich women.”

I didn’t know what to say.

“Full disclosure, I was also at the apartment to get the paintings when you showed up with Anderson.”

My jaw couldn’t have opened any wider. “What other secrets do you have?”

“Everyone has secrets. I’m sure you do. I don’t have any more that involve you.”

“Who is Mr. Black?”

“You know it’s me.”

“I know. But is Mr. Black into anything illegal?” I asked, somehow needing to keep the two personas separate in my mind in case I didn’t like what he said.

“Not in the way you think.”

“What other ways are there?”

He sighed. “There are bad people in the world, princess. The club is a good place for gathering information. People talk when they think no one is listening.”

“What bad people?” I asked.

“The boys from my school. They’re still out there. I’ve been watching them, and I’m pretty sure one or two is involved in some bad shit.”

It all sounded plausible, and I wanted desperately to believe him.

“One more question.” he said flatly.

His face had gone cold, but not in that dominating way of his.

“Why do you have tattoos on the backs of your arms and not the front? It’s like you’re Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”