Page 9 of The Spare

None of us are pleased with him regarding that.

He nods. "Yes. I need you to handle the finances of my business."

"Money laundering."I knew it.

"No," he corrects me quickly. I frown at his answer, confused.

"Stacking your stocks?"

Lucien smiles. "What a lovely criminal mind you have. No," he says. "I need you to take financial control of my non-mafia business dealings and make a name for me outside of-" he waves a hand around the office,"this."

I shift in my seat, rubbing my fingers along my jaw as I just stare at him. "And your stocks?"

"Correct."

"How many businesses?"

"Four. One art business, two jewelry-"

I grunt, because jewelry is what made the King name; however, no one owns a jewelry business, much to my father's discontent. That's what he thought Teresa would get into, but she steered towards fashion instead.

"And a few nightclubs," he finishes.

"And you don't want me involved in the actual day to day dealings of your criminal organizations?" My tone drips disbelief, laced with a touch of confusion.

"No." He gifts me with that smile again, making me uneasy. "Unless you want to, that is. But no pressure."

"…… So my brother was correct. I'm not to beinthe mafia, but I'm in withyou?"I huff out a laugh, treating him to a disdainful look. "I thought you lied to him, wheedled him down enough to get me here so you could offer me a real position."

"What the hell gave you the impression it's not a real position?" he asks coldly, arching a brow.

I arch mine back, not intimidated. "Is it?"

"This is a real position, and one I take just as serious as if you were in with me." His brows raise. "I'd never lie to a King, Mason."

I snort on a humorless laugh, glancing to the side in amusement. "I didn't realize our influence ran quite this deep, to be honest."

"I wouldn't admit that outside of these walls," he says in a serious tone, bringing my eyes back to his.

"Hmm…" I hum, because honestly I could care less about the King Dynasty influence. I never abused its power, or really used its influence one way or another. That would call for a very rare occasion. But I guess for Hendrix's sake I'll maintain the front we're a perfect family.

Even if Luca knows we aren't.

"So, what? Am I not good enough to be in your ranks?" I drawl, feeling a touch put out honestly.

He chuckles, his face lighting up with humor. "Quite the contrary. I want you within my ranks very much. I think you're clever, smart, articulate, capable. Trilingual-which seems to be askinga lot,these days for some reason," he says sarcastically, flipping his pen again. "But your brother's wrath is-" he looks to the side and whistles. "Actually, it's not so muchyour brother,honestly. It's the pesky little fact that he's gotFrank Jacksonon his side."

I fold my arms, vaguely remembering Frank as the man who handled Isobel's father's execution. "And why are you waxing poetic about him?"

He points the pen at me, lowering his brow. "The man is a beast. Slippery as an eel and stealthy as they come. He's managed to evade mafia, cartel,andgovernments all over the world. He'slethal.And weallin the underworldknow not to get on that man's bad side. So, no. If your brother asks me to not invite you in, then I'll respect that. But,to make myself crystal clear, Hendrix King is about the only man in the entire world who gets that privilege."

My eyes snap to his, and I tilt my head as he continues to watch me quietly.

"But if you want in, all you gotta do is ask," he smiles, making me shake my head.

It's like the carrot is to be forever dangled in front of me, but I'll never be able to attain it for anything. There was a time I'd salivate for this opportunity. Cut off my leftarmto have an in like this. But now?

Now it comes with a heap more risks than it did before, because I don't want Melody hurt, and I don't want her close to this.