King Maker (King Maker 3)

“I don’t have mine either. I’m sure they’ll get it,” I said.

I’d left mine in New York. The only reason I had one at all was because Scott had told me I’d need one for our honeymoon. It hadn’t dawned on me to bring it because I hadn’t planned to leave the country.

“I bet he could because he can do everything,” he answered bitterly.

I ignored that and asked, “Will you come with me?”

Finally, his gaze met mine. “You want me to?”

“Yes,” I said. I did need him. If nothing else, he was my best friend and could help me get through this as Kalen continued to freeze me out. Plus, we needed to talk, and now wasn’t the time.

“Okay,” he said, sounding happier. “I could drive back and get my stuff.”

“We all could.”

I had a rental that needed returning and my stuff from the car. I wanted to say goodbye to my family if I could.

He nodded and we made plans, confirming them with Kalen through Matt.

Begrudgingly, I took Kalen’s card to the mall next door, planning only to buy something to change into for the night. If Kalen retrieved my passport from Lizzy’s, someone could pack a bag for me as well.

“Really, shopping?” Matt said as we perused the racks.

Turner offered to go, but I wanted time alone. Unfortunately, no one agreed to that plan. The next option was not to have either man in my life there with me. It was decided for Matt to be my babysitter.

As I eyed the racks of clothes, I had every intention of paying Kalen back. Only the mall next door was a Galleria filled with high-end stores. Thank goodness there was a Macy’s. The problem was, this Macy’s carried higher-end things.

I picked the basics from the shelves and chose a shirt and jeans from the sales rack that still cost way more than I wanted to spend, but I could sense Matt’s frustration.

“Turner,” Matt said. When I glared at him, he shrugged. “He’s a nice guy, but—”

“But what?” I snapped.

“But he doesn’t seem your type.”

“And Kalen is?”

Matt grinned. “If you can’t have first choice,” he said, plucking his shirt to pull forward and snap back, “you might as well go for second best.”

I couldn’t stop myself from cracking a grin, as was his intention.

“Kalen’s not an option. He hates me.”

Matt sobered. “So Turner was the lucky guy.”

“Lucky guy?”

“You know, Steven said you were with one of them the other night.”

My eyes widened. “He saw us.”

“You and Turner?”

“I never said that.”

“No,” Matt admitted. “You did say Kalen was pissed. I hardly think the guy would be mad if you—”

“There could be a lot of reasons and I don’t want to talk about this.”

I marched over to the checkout counter with my purchases. Matt came over and handed the salesperson his card.

“My treat,” he said.

“You don’t have to.”

“I know. But Lizzy would kick my ass. Besides, sounds like things are complicated enough. I know you don’t want to complicate it more.”

“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll pay you back.”

We went back and forth with him winning the argument for now.

Not long after our return, the lawyer stopped by with a video camera and a federal agent. I spent a little over an hour going through questions I hadn’t wanted to answer. Once it was over, the FBI agent cleared me to leave.

It was done, at least for a while.

I rode back to Pennsylvania in a van with Matt, Turner, and the security team. Kalen was MIA.

We didn’t go to the community. It had been discussed that my presence might only put my family in more danger if whoever was after me was watching.

Instead, I spoke to my mother by phone. They’d been worried sick.

“I’m sorry, Mom.”

“Hush, child. This isn’t your fault.”

It felt like it.

“Is Mary okay? The baby?”

“She’s fine. They’re fine. She staying with friends. Violet wants to speak to you.”

There was a shift with the phone.

“Are you really okay?” my sister asked.

“I am. I swear.”

“Thank the heavens.”

“The offer still stands for you to come to New York,” I said.

“Maybe. I haven’t talked to Steven yet. Besides, I can wait until you return.”

Kalen had apparently told my family of the plans for me to go to Scotland.

“Think about it,” I said.

“I will.” She paused. “Follow your heart,” she added.

“What?”

“I know you are torn. Don’t make the decision based on them. Make the best one for you.”

She had no idea how incredibly hard that was. My head and my heart were in a war neither had yet to win.

All too soon, I’d said goodbye to them. Matt and Turner were meeting us at the airport and I was left to get into a car with Kalen alone.

Eleven

I shifted in the seat of the town car, unsure why I was still affected by the woman next to me despite it all. She’d made her choice, and it was time for me to make mine.