Charming Asshole (Killer of Kings 3)

Breathing in some of the fresh salty air, he allowed himself to think about her. The woman who had made him consider what he was doing. Ten years ago, he’d been twenty-six and on an assignment.

He’d been asked to tail this crime lord, and report back his findings to Boss, and only then would he be given details on what the final mission was. Killian couldn’t remember the man he’d ended up killing, but June he remembered. She was the one woman who’d been so innocent, too naive.

Watching her, being around her, had reminded him of the purity of life. When he was with her, he could pretend that he was just a college kid. He’d lied to her about everything. His age, his job, what he did, his past. Every single detail of his life had been nonstop lies. He didn’t know how to be anything else.

June deserved better, and after tasting her sweetness for a few short weeks, he’d been sure to leave her to get on with her life.

Ten years had passed since he’d last seen her. Where he stood, in this very spot, was where he had first met her. She had been walking along with friends. The sand had been so dry that as she walked, she’d tripped. If he hadn’t caught her, she’d have ended up with her face flat in the sand.

He smiled just thinking about that memory.

She’d fallen into his arms, and one look in her grey eyes, and he’d never wanted to look back. Many people believe in love at first sight. Before June, he’d believed it was a pile of bollocks.

After catching her, staring into her eyes, he’d known that it was very real.

He snorted to himself, thinking about how pathetic he sounded. She was probably pleased to be done with him. He imagined her being the CEO of an important company or something like that. Maybe married with 2.5 kids and the whole fucking white picket fence deal.

Not a moment went by when he wasn’t tempted to go and look for her. Only his lies kept him at bay. He’d never told her the truth.

The story he’d woven had been everything he’d wanted in the past growing up.

He doubted she was still here, but he’d wanted to remember better times. After what he’d done, he wanted to be somewhere where he hadn’t fucked up. When the memories were much better for him.

“Come here, you little shit!”

Killian frowned, and glanced toward the pier. He saw one man chasing after a little boy who couldn’t be a day over ten years old.

“Come here now!”

“Fuck you. I didn’t do nothin’.”

The little kid had a bad attitude that was for sure.

The large guy finally caught up with the kid just as they exited the pier. The kid was grabbed by the scruff of his neck.

“I’ve told you before that I don’t want your sort at my venue. Piece of thieving shit.”

“I didn’t take nothing, you fat twat. Let me go.”

“Your mother should b

e ashamed of you.”

“Yeah, well, you can’t do nothin’. Let me go.” The kid kicked the guy in the nuts, which meant he dropped to the floor.

Women and kids were Killian’s limit. When he saw the guy about to take a swipe at him, he couldn’t stand back and watch that.

“What is it the kid’s done?” Killian asked.

The guy looked at him, and then at the kid. “Is this a fucking joke?”

“Watch your language.”

“Then watch your kid more closely. Good for nothing, the lot of you.”

The man shoved the kid into his arms, and Killian stared down … at himself. He stared at the kid, and was taken aback. Just looking at this boy and he could have sworn he’d gone back in time.

“Get off me,” the kid said.