Page 13 of King of Desire (Kings of Las Vegas #2)
CHAPTER TWELVE
Triston
Irritation rolls of Mason in waves as we enter my office. Is he upset that I’ve brought Honeyeh to this event? I’m not apologizing. That’s a move for the weak.
If Killian were in my place, he wouldn’t even offer up an explanation.
He’d stare back at Mason with a silent but clearly implied, mind your fucking business .
I debate the strategy, as I pour a glass of whisky for myself and another for him from the sideboard.
He takes a seat on the other side of my desk.
I hand him the glass. “Are you fucking her?”
I appreciate directness, but I take a sip of my drink and slide into my own seat. “No. Would it be a problem if I did?”
I see his lips thin over his teeth. I’ll take that as a yes. “She is not one of your women to use and toss aside, Triston.”
I get his meaning. “Toss aside? Is that what I do?”
He sits back in his chair. “You know what I mean.”
“I do. That’s the problem.”
“Don’t play hurt with me. You’ve dripped her in expensive labels, covered her in jewels. She looks like…”
“Like she belongs,” I say for him.
He pauses, cocking his head to the side as his gaze searches mine. “I mean what I say. I took up your offer to place her in your house because I wanted her out from under the influence of men who might take advantage.”
“Why not employ her in your house?” But the words are bitter on my tongue. I want Honeyeh here.
“She’s Charlotte’s friend. She can’t be staff. And she’s got too much pride to just take my money.”
The fact he’d give her money has my hackles up. Does he have designs on Honeyeh? Is he planning on stepping out on Charlotte? “You’re awfully invested in her future.”
He lets out a slow breath of air as he stares back. “And you’re awfully invested in my intentions.”
Fair. The intensity of my interest in Honeyeh has clearly been noted. Silence fills the space until he finally looks away. “Honeyeh reminds me of myself.”
“What?”
“Lost both her parents. In charge of a sibling when she’s far too young for a burden like that.” A raw, unguarded tension pulls at Mason’s features. “She carries the burden with dignity and grace, but not nearly as much strength, and it’s a huge burden.”
I get it. My hand tightens around my glass. “I can make you a promise. I will only leave her better than I found her, Mason. Money. Connections. Doctors and care for her brother. However the relationship goes, I will be her benefactor.”
He gives a single nod, setting down his nearly full glass. “I can accept that. Let’s go rouse up the board, shall we? We’ve got a takeover to conduct and some Russians to drive out of Vegas.”
I set my drink down too, tapping the rim as a sense of dread pulls at my stomach.
Have I changed my mind?
Why should I? This deal will break open our business. But it’s also going to incite the Russians.
And as I think of delicate Honeyeh at my side, in my life... The idea of inviting more trouble that might touch her…
I shut that thought down; she’s a temporary distraction, nothing more. I pull at the lapels of my jacket. “Let’s do this.”