King Maker (King Maker 3)

“I don’t think so,” I said softly as I met his stare.

We stood in the hall for a few long seconds with nothing but silence between us. He didn’t appear any more ready to leave than I wanted him to go. His heady gaze left mine in favor of searching around for something or someone.

“We can have this conversation here or inside. But we are having one.”

I blinked as if coming out of a spell. “You think after what you said I want to have anything to do with you?”

“Please.”

That one word and how he said it, like the weight of the world was on his shoulders, had me backing up. That didn’t mean I was inviting him to sit. I went far enough to let him inside the door and close it.

I folded my arms across my chest and said, “Say whatever it is you have to say and then leave.” I left no room for an argument.

“I need your help.”

That hadn’t been what I’d expected him to say.

“With what?” I asked, though I had a sneaking suspicion.

“I need you to audit my books.”

I rolled my eyes and dropped my hands. “I told you before, I can’t. It wouldn’t be—”

“Not for King Enterprises. For my company in Scotland. The American authorities have nothing to do with it. Nobody has to know it’s you.”

I frowned, not totally getting it until I did. “You already know what’s wrong.”

“Some. Not everything. I need you to go in like an auditor and review the books as you normally would. I need you to shake things up, put those involved on edge.”

“And in danger?”

“Not exactly. This is the time of year for audits. It isn’t unusual. Griffin will set you up with a fake name and firm and no one will be the wiser.”

He looked at my hair, which made me tuck some of it behind my ear, wondering what he thought of the change of color.

“Where’s Gabe?” I asked.

I worried about him.

“He’s safe with Mum and Ainsley in a safe location.”

That was good. I took that to mean he wasn’t at their Scotland or New York home where his enemies could easily find them.

“How long would you need me?” I asked, not really believing I was considering it after everything he’d done. Plus, I had a job that I would be starting in a few weeks. I needed to finalize a place to stay.

“A few days, maybe a week at the most.”

I rubbed my temple and sighed. The answer should be an easy no.

“I’ll pay you.”

I snapped my head up to glare at him.

“If—and I mean if I accept, I don’t want any money from you.”

“You will get paid,” he said, leaving no room for agreement.

“I won’t accept any more than you would normally pay for such a thing.”

I could use an infusion of cash to help my move after spending money on this Airbnb.

“Agreed,” he said.

“I haven’t agreed,” I said.

“There isn’t much time.”

I knew that and not so much for him but me. I hadn’t signed a lease in D.C. yet. I was waiting on them to give me the all clear. I didn’t have money to put down on a place unless I was absolutely sure.

“Please.”

There was that word again.

“It’s not a good idea,” I said, turning around to pace a few feet away when I should have said hell no.

“I lied.”

That stopped my steps. “What?” I asked, unable to look at him.

“I lied. You were never just a good fuck. I mean, you are, but that’s not all you mean to me. I said that to get you to go.”

“I know,” I said quietly, because I had.

Once my initial rage had passed, subconsciously I knew.

“I lied too,” I admitted. “I never chose him over you despite what you think. Whatever happened at the community doesn’t matter. We weren’t together. I didn’t owe you any explanations. Just like you didn’t when you were with that heiress.”

“Jealous?”

“Does it matter? We both made mistakes.”

He moved so silently, the first indication I had that he was at my back was the heat rolling off of him.

“What are you doing?” I asked incredulously, spinning to face him.

He cocked his head in challenge. “I’m going to have you and you’re going to let me.”

My eyebrows rose with his frankness. His hand reached for me and stopped. It caught my attention, drawing my eyes from the man-on-a-mission expression he wore.

Turmoil of anxious confusion caused my heart to race. I met his eyes and saw the decision he made. He wanted me no matter what the cost. It would be me that would pay with emotional currency I didn’t have. I would end up with a broken heart because in no way did he look like he wanted a reconciliation.

I stepped back and met the wall perpendicular to the door. It was a mistake. I swiftly angled my body so that it was my shoulder not my back that was touching the barrier and I began to slowly walk backward.