The King (Gentlemen Rogues 2)

“You tranquilized me, and you didn't have to."

"How else I was going to get you across the clearing?"

“You could have walked me out like I was going to do to you."

"Sure, except putting you down was so much more satisfying."

"See? That's what I mean. You fight me like you hate me. Why?"

My mouth went dry. He hadn't moved. Hadn't gotten any closer. But somehow it still felt like he'd sucked all the air out of the room, and I couldn't quite breathe.

“Don't worry about it, King. You're about to do something no trainee has done in years."

"What's that?"

"Beat Gabriel Webb at his own game."

The elevator doors opened, and he took my hand. "Am I going to piss him off by holding your hand?"

"Nope. Because Gabe will know I'm trying to make an escape."

He frowned. "So you're really not going to tell me what it is with you two?"

"Other than none of your business, no."

“Fair enough, princess. I'll find out on my own."

“Yeah, you do that."

I couldn't help but be impressed. I didn't see eye to eye with Gabe on most things. My brother was a pain in the arse. Overprotective, overbearing. All of the things. But he wasn't was wrong about Lachlan King. He was good. Too good.

And just like that, he marched me up to the finish line.

Gabe looked up from the desk he'd put up in the corner, wide-eyed and confused. “You weren't supposed to help him."

“I didn't tell him anything. It was all him." I turned to Lachlan. “It wasn't badly done either."

Gabe stared up at Lock. "She didn't help you?"

Lock shook his head. "No, as a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure she tried to get me caught several times."

Gabe frowned at me. "He saw through your disguise?"

“Yeah. It only took him twenty minutes."

Lock just grinned at me then. “I think that's why she's really mad at me."

“Get over yourself."

Gabe stared at us during our interaction. "Well then, Lachlan King, it seems that I have underestimated you. Or maybe you have undersold yourself. Maybe soon you'll actually see your goddamn potential. No one's seen through her disguise in two years." He glanced at me. "Looks like you're going to have to change it now."

I scowled over at Lock. “Yeah, thanks for that."

Lock just smirked. "How no one has been able to see through her, I have no idea. Her eyes gave it away."

Gabe frowned at me. "Contacts next time."

"Whatever."

The two of them getting along was the last thing I needed. Lock seemed to be getting whatever he wanted out of this whole Rogues experience. I needed to know. Was he a plant by my brother? If so, why?