The King (Gentlemen Rogues 2)

That morning, there was something in her eyes when I said I’d been dreaming of her taste for months. Something told me she understood what I meant. She knew that I meant it when I said I trusted her. And I wanted her to trust me, but she was hiding something from me. So the question was, what was it? The only way I was going to find that out was by going off the reservation and making a fucking phone call.

It wasn't going to be easy. I was due at Royal Elite at noon. It was supposed to be an easy day. She and Graciella were having breakfast in the morning. She was recording that conversation, and while she was recording that, we had eyes on Massimo at the house. We'd managed to get a bug into his car, so we’d have a record of those conversations too.

I checked the clock, took a quick shower, and grabbed some coffee before asking Saff, “Are you going to be okay?" I ran the faucet to make it difficult to hear.

She frowned up at me. “Yeah, it should be easy. I've got Zia for backup. And if anything goes wrong, I know how to handle it. I'm good."

"All right. I'm going to work out before the meeting with Jax."

"Okay, be careful."Her smile was easy. As if we hadn't just spent all night with me inside her.

I stepped to her, wrapped my arms around her, and whispered "You, too."And then I leaned in and gave her a quick peck.?

Her quick inhalation of breath made me smile. And like a fucking masochist, I leaned in for more, sipping at her lips, sliding my tongue inside, waiting until I heard her moan before drawing back. "Have a good brunch."

She slowly blinked at me. "We're in trouble."

“I know." Boy, did I ever.

When I left her, I took the same path I’d taken the other day toward the king's beach. But this time, instead of heading down the promenade along the water, I headed up the steep stairs toward the old town.?

At the old town, I went to the heart of the massive market and found the first vendor that could sell me a?sim chip. I quickly paid the man and then found a café to sit down in and make my call.

Felix answered right away."This is Felix."

"Mate, it's Lock."

Felix cursed under his breath. "What the fuck? Mate, where the fuck have you been?"

"That's a long story. And sorry I haven't called until now."

“Did you know I’ve been fucking worried? All your plants are dead. I assumed you were too."

"Let me guess, you checked with my parents and they told you I was just fine?"

“Your mother implied that you were drying out somewhere. Which I knew wasn't you. You party, but you don't need to dry out. Where the fuck are you?"

"Let's just say it’s something like that. I have a question for you, mate."

“Yeah, shoot. Are you okay, though?"

“Yeah, mate I’m good. Probably better than I have been in a bit. Listen, this is going to sound weird, just answer it best as you can."

"Okay. Is this about a woman? Are you shacked up with some bird?"

It was surprising how accurate that was, but I couldn't tell him that.

"No, it's not like that."

"What's up?"

"About four months ago, right after I sold off Charlie’s subsidiary company, did anything happen? Anything weird?"

“Your old man was pissed. He insisted that your grandfather had to do something. Why don't you know this?"

“It doesn't matter. Keep going."

“Your grandfather said you needed to lay low."