Keeping the smile intact, he grits through his teeth, “Dad wants to talk to you.”
My insides bristle whenever he calls my dad his, even if it’s fucking irrational. I don’t give a damn. “Well then, tough, because I’m not leaving Phoenix alone.”
“That’s why he asked me to watch over her.”
Phoenix places her hands on my chest, bringing my attention to her, and says, “You have to go. I’ll be okay.” I’m about to protest, but she uses her fingers once again to shush me. “Trust me on this one.” Everything inside me screams against this idea. How the fuck am I supposed to protect her from unforeseen disaster if I’m gonna be with my dad?
But then how can a man resist this trust?
Palming her head, I tilt it back and lean down to give her a deep, probing kiss with my tongue entwining with hers and dancing a little duet of its own. Her body melts against mine, and she moans, angling herself so I can take it deeper, but instead, I step back. “Keep an eye on her. Otherwise, I’ll end you,” I address Charlie, who chuckles, finding the idea laughable it seems, but he really shouldn’t.
We might have a cold peace due to my father interfering every single time to fix any brewing conflict, but Phoenix is one person I will never, ever budge on.
With one last glance, I look around for my father and notice him motioning for me at the entrance, and I don’t have to guess where to go, since Dad never changes his habits.
If Anthony King summons you, it means he is about to rip you a new one in his office.
Phoenix
“I hope you don’t mind,” Charlie says, sweeping us all around the parquet, and only then I realize the music has changed to a light waltz, and I adjust my movements accordingly. “I asked the musicians for something else. I figured it would have been too weird for me to be hugging you the way Zach just did.” He wiggles his brows. “We don’t need any rumors. Although, I’m the more fun brother.”
I’m still a bit uncomfortable in their company. After all, they are strangers, and besides, my earlier suspicions still make me a bit wary. Probably it’s all in my head and has no merit, but I can’t be too careful with my experience. “It’s okay. I know how to dance the waltz. Sebastian taught me.” The minute this statement slips past my lips, I instantly regret it and groan inwardly. What brother wants to be reminded that the ex-wife of his future brother-in-law is marrying into the family?
Everyone might act like they’re not bothered by this, but I don’t believe it. Shouldn’t they at least be concerned for Felicia’s sake?
Not to mention, based on the earlier encounter with Zachary, they probably hate his guts as much as mine, all things considered.
Charlie must read the horror on my face, because he chuckles loudly, taking a swift turn that for a second makes my head dizzy but then slows his movements once again. “Honey, everyone knows about your past. You don’t have to hide it.” Sway, sway, sway. “Felicia knows what she signed up for when she agreed to marry him.”
“I doubt she signed up for seeing my face at every family function.”
Charlie shrugs, still not losing the rhythm of the dance. “Well, if you get together with a divorcee, you gotta expect that sometimes the past will show itself. Besides, we asked if he is really what she wants, and she said yes.” The music gradually slows, and he spins me around, our fingers lacing as he twirls me again before resuming the steps. “Once we make a choice, we have a responsibility to own up to it, don’t you think?” There is an odd note coating his tone, but I don’t have time to dwell on it much as the music ends, and the audience claps at the musicians, and Charlie lifts his elbow to me. “Let’s go and properly introduce you to the family, shall we?”
“The earlier introduction wasn’t proper?” I ask in confusion, taken slightly aback by his behavior and not knowing how to react to it. I half expected them to sneer in my direction and act all high and mighty, but instead, they’re almost… welcoming?
Charlie rolls his eyes. “Fucking no—excuse my language please.” We walk slowly to where his entire family is still standing engaged in some conversation, based on how emotionally Lydia wiggles her fingers. “Zachary was lashing out as always and the situation got messy.”
“Well—” If he starts to badmouth Zachary, I won’t be able to keep my mouth shut from defending him. Someone has to, based on what he told me.
No matter what or for how long I’m going to be part of the King clan, I will always be on his side.
“No need to get the claws out, honey.” Charlie pats my arm. “We love Zach, even if he hates us. He is family, after all.” What? How could he possibly say that if they have no relationship to even speak of? “Although sometimes he is more like a black sheep.”
“He has his reasons.”
“If he just gave us all a chance, he’d see he doesn’t have to hold on to his reasons anymore.”
Before I can reply to that, we join his family, and Olivia greets me with a warm smile. I blink at how at ease she is, such a contrast to what she was with Zach just minutes ago. “You dance very beautifully.” She compliments me before motioning to a waiter. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Just water please.” Although I need a drink of alcohol, I won’t dull my reactions now with the unsub on the loose. If she or he is here that is; all our theories are just that, after all.
Theories that might not come true while the unsub plans his next attack, surprising us when we least expect it.
I catch Sebastian’s stare on me and shift awkwardly, hoping he won’t start any conversations with me, because it will be beyond bizarre with all eyes on us.
Despite spending most of my adult life with Sebastian, right now I feel nothing toward him, not even an ounce of jealousy at seeing him with Felicia.
I can only hope she makes him happy, because underneath it all, he is a good and honorable man. His giving up on me doesn’t mean he is an asshole who deserves to burn in hell.
“I love your dress,” Olivia says, coming closer to touch the material. “Silk is a tricky cloth, but Frankie does wonders with it.”
“I hope she will design my wedding dress,” Felicia says and gives me a tentative smile that I return, thanking the server when he brings me a bottle of water. “Although her waitlist is insane. She doesn’t make any exceptions, so our names mean nothing.” Her brows furrow. “How did you get this one? I haven’t even seen it in her catalogue.”
Lydia barks a laugh, popping another cherry in her mouth and washing it down with her champagne. “Zachary knows her man. So I think it’s safe to say she makes some exceptions.” She places her hand on her hip, giving me the stare that should probably make me feel guilty, but it only adds to the overall confusion I experience in this family’s company.
Considering Zachary’s feelings toward them, shouldn’t they at least have some reservations, since essentially I killed Angelica… even if it was against my will?
Or doesn’t it matter to them very much, and they trust Zachary’s judgment to make a good choice?
Guilt washes over me at my earlier thoughts that one of them might be an unsub. Them not having a great relationship with Zachary doesn’t instantly mean they are on the hunt to kill him.