Money Man (King Maker 1)

“Jeremy King? Is that the Money Man’s name? I thought no one knew what he looked like?”

Her eyes popped. “Holy shit, Bails. I didn’t think of that with everything else.”

“Did you see him?”

She shook her head. “Maybe my assistant got it wrong?”

I thought of Anna.

“A colleague of mine said she saw him at work.” I gave her the description Anna had given me.

“That’s half the guys here, including Haven’s beau.”

A glance around the crowd confirmed that.

“Yeah, I guess,” I said.

I didn’t understand why I was so disappointed. It wasn’t like I could date him even if I didn’t have my hands full with Kalen. Dating a client was strictly prohibited. But the intrigue got me. The elusive, gorgeous male no one could pin down piqued my curiosity.

Lizzy’s parents’ words from that long-ago dinner played in my head. They’d suggested that the King’s son, aka Money Man, might be playing games with the company’s money. I had evidence that such a thing was true. Maybe if I saw him, I could get a read off him.

Not wanting to bring that up with Lizzy on her night, I pushed forward.

“It doesn’t matter. This is an amazing event. I’m so happy for you,” I said.

She didn’t have to know that I’d been happily molested by Kalen in front of the blob.

“I’m selling out of stuff,” she gushed. “I can’t wait for drinks later. I need to celebrate. I’ll just be a few more minutes. I’m trying to catch up with the countess.”

She dashed off to meet with one of New York’s socialites. I continued to walk the place and circled it again, wondering if I’d missed Kalen leaving while I was talking to Lizzy.

When my phone chirped, I nearly broke the fastening on my clutch to get it. It was well before nine. Where had Kalen gone?

“Hello,” I said, sounding breathless as I made my way into a little alcove.

When he didn’t speak, I thought for a second it might be another crank call until I finally heard his voice.

“Looking for me?” he teased, his voice rich and deep like chocolate.

“That’s not fair,” I said.

“You know what they say about payback.” When I rolled my eyes, he said, “Don’t roll your eyes. I always finish what I start.”

He’d stoked a fire when he’d touched me, and hearing his voice wasn’t extinguishing the flames. I looked around but couldn’t find him.

“Then why did you leave?” I asked.

“I had somewhere to be.”

“Another meeting?”

He hesitated before saying, “No.”

I closed my eyes and controlled my breathing. Calmly, I said, “I probably should have asked this earlier, but are you married?”

Who was I fooling? If he was, what were the odds he would be honest about it?

There was a longer pause before he spoke curtly, all teasing gone. “I said you were the only woman I’d be fucking, and I meant it.”

His voice was a little on edge, but I didn’t back down.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“No, I’m not married or engaged or have a girlfriend,” he snapped. “I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow at six as promised.”

“Kalen,” I said, hating where the conversation was going.

“Miss Glicks, I always keep my word,” he said before disconnecting the call.

Tomorrow I would see him. But would it be the last time?

Twenty-Four

I’d just slipped my phone into my clutch and stepped back into the throng of people when Lizzy tugged my arm. “Hey, are you ready to blow this joint?”

I mustered up a smile. “Yes.”

“Okay, give me a minute to close out the show.”

I watched her stride right into the middle of the guests in the main gallery area, where she snagged a glass of wine from one of the waiters dressed in a traditional black and white uniform.

Spotting a waiter near me, I scooped up a glass myself.

Had I ruined things with Kalen because of my own insecurities? Then again, what was I ruining? He wasn’t my boyfriend; he’d made that clear. Maybe it was better this way. Let him go before my heart could fall any deeper would be the smart thing to do.

Lizzy wasn’t shy and had no problem speaking in front of large crowds. She showed her poise by thanking the guests for coming and for their patronage. Of course, she didn’t say it like that. But after the toast, I took a long drink of the wine, feeling like life was far more complicated than I’d imagined growing up.

Once that was over, we escaped into Lizzy’s cramped office, which was big enough for a desk and two chairs—one for her and one for a guest. She wasn’t the type of person who needed a large space to validate who she was.

As we changed in her tiny space, it felt like old times, back in college, with us giggling at the prospect of going out. We weren’t going to a club. We were headed to Lizzy’s favorite dive bar and hangout.