Chapter 3: King of Deception: Chapter 3

I wake with a start, sitting up to the morning sun that’s streaming through the French doors.

I have no idea what time it is, which is weird. Even on vacation, I usually wake like clockwork.

Pushing up, I realize I’m also naked. Another oddity. And then the details of the night flood back.

I find myself pulling up the covers, though I needn’t have bothered. No one is here. I’m alone in the room. I grab the top sheet and wrap it around myself as I get up from the bed, my clothes neatly folded in one of the chairs that flank the couch in the sitting area. Each of the bungalows is set up like a studio apartment.

My stuff is still on the console, including the ring. Did Gris notice? Does it matter? There is no note, no evidence I didn’t dream the entire encounter, except for the fact that this is clearly not my room.

I step into the bathroom, rinse my face and pull on my dress, collecting the rest of my stuff.

Stepping outside, I easily find my room in the light of day. Sighing, I push open the closed doors…. I thought I’d left them open…

But inside the air-conditioned space, I see my phone sitting on my console, lit up as it rings on silent.

Picking it up, I glance at the screen with a wince. I’ve got twenty missed calls.

Shit.

“Hello?” I say as I bring the phone to my ear.

“Where the fuck have you been?” my brother Mason rumbles into the phone. “I’ve called six times.”

I look down at the phone, realizing that Cici and Maggie have been calling too. “I had the ringer off. I overslept.”

“Overslept?” He growls, sounding very annoyed. “You never oversleep.”

“You left the girls an open bar tab. They insisted I partake.”

He grunts some form of agreement, his own culpability making him more amenable. “Got it.” Then he clears his throat, moving on. “The reason I’ve been calling is because I need you to come home today.”

“Today?” I cry, pulling the phone away from my ear. “But I just got here.”

“Preston’s parents have decided to come to Vegas to meet all of us. They’re going to attend the charity event tonight for our new nonprofit, which is perfect, but it will require your attendance.”

I let out a long breath of air. With each passing day, I get caught a little deeper in the web.

I try to remember how Preston and I ended up here. Not how we got engaged. But the first few dates. He seemed interested the first few times we went out, but when he made a major move on dates three and four and I resisted, he seemed to lose interest.

I honestly thought he was getting bored, but when I was called back to Vegas by Mason, and we faced a long-distance relationship, he proposed instead of breaking it off.

At first, I was thrilled. But instead of growing more invested, more loving after the engagement, I swear, he likes me less and less.

I’d only met his parents once in the short time we were dating, and I did not get the impression they liked me either.

I’m sure they consider my family nouveau riche at best.

“Preston’s parents?” I ask shaking my head.

“That’s right. It’s ridiculously important this goes well. His father has the kind of friends…”

“Why…” I ask, ignoring Mason’s networking opportunities. I’m tired of hearing about them. “Didn’t my fiancé call me to tell me about his parents’ visit?” I’d just looked through my list of missed calls. Preston was not one of them.

Not that I needed another reason to know that my engagement is all wrong. I stare down at the ring on my finger.

Maybe Mason can end this engagement for me. If he has to call me to tell me the Wingates are visiting, perhaps he can also call Preston and tell him we’re not getting married. It seems fair.

“I’m the one ordering the jet,” Mason answers as if that explains it. He must know it doesn’t. He recently married and no other man, not even Charlotte’s family, would care for Charlotte’s needs in place of Mason.

He loves his wife to the point of distraction. It consumes him.

“Listen, Mason…” I start, my breath shaky as I draw in a lung full of air. “I don’t think this⁠—”

“Just come home. We’ll talk about it when you get here.”

I hang up, taking several deep gulps before I call to order breakfast and then head into the bathroom.

That’s when a knock sounds at my door. Turning I see my friends standing outside my room, looking irritated.

Cici’s got her hands on her hips and Maggie is glaring.

Shit.

I wave them in, Cici opening the door. “What the fuck?”

I wince. “Sorry.”

Maggie’s shrewd gaze travels up and down me. “You just did the walk of shame.”

“What?” I gasp, knowing I’ve been caught. My college girlfriends would do this sort of thing all the time. Meet a guy, go home with him, come home the next day in the clothes they’d worn out the night before.

But they aren’t engaged with their family business tied to their impending marriage. I’m the worst kind of person.

Cici’s mouth falls open… “But you don’t have sex. Have you and Preston even…”

Maggie cuts her off, flipping her auburn hair over her shoulder. “Preston doesn’t matter.” Then she turns back to me. “But where you slept last night does. Spill it.”

“It’s not like that,” I push out weakly. But I’ve got to get it together. No one can know about last night, not even my friends. “Preston and I haven’t, and I certainly didn’t give my virginity to a stranger at a hotel.”

Maggie looks skeptical, but Cici smiles in relief. She pulls her blonde hair off her neck. “I didn’t think so. You’re so lucky to have Preston, why would you cheat?”

Maggie snorts. She’s a tall, gorgeous redhead that men fall over themselves to be with. “Preston is lucky to have her. Not that he seems to notice.” I can tell she wants to say more. I’ve been sensing that Maggie doesn’t like Preston, but she hasn’t told me why and I haven’t told her about my fears and reservations over the marriage. Once I let those words out, there will be no taking them back.

She steps closer to me, close enough, I find myself holding my breath. Then she takes a long sniff. “You smell like men’s cologne and sex.”

My eyes bug out. “I didn’t…”

“Bullshit.”

I lean in closer to Maggie, “I didn’t sleep with him. I just…”

She purses her lips. “Let’s get down to it. Is it just me or are you hating this engagement?”

The words nearly rush out of me. Yes, I hate it. I want out. I want out right now. But so much is at stake.

“Mags,” I plead. “I’m working on it.”

She lets out a giant rush of air, her shoulders wilting. “I’m so glad you are,” she whispers close to my ear. “You shouldn’t marry him, Bella, and I’m worried.”

I reach for her hand then as Cici comes to stand next to Mags. “Are you going to tell us about the guy last night, or what?”

I shake my head. I know Maggie is right. I need to find a way out. I hope I can find a way out. But it’s delicate. And if Mason or Preston learns the truth of what I’d just done, this entire situation could blow up in my face.

Mason is counting on me, and I’ve made promises to Preston.

Why did I make promises to Preston again? I rub my forehead. “No,” I murmur as I drop my hand and shake my head. The less they know the better, and maybe I’ll be able to control this whole situation.

An image of Gris rises in front of my eyes. Naked, powerful. My body throbs with need even though I just left his bed.

Oh man.

I’ve messed this one up good.

Convincing my friends to continue the trip without me, I get in the shower and get myself ready. I do full hair and makeup in case I don’t have any time when I arrive back in Vegas.

I have no idea what I’m walking into, so I put on my war paint.

My long dark hair is styled in lose waves, as shiny as I can get them.

My makeup is natural, highlighting my cheekbones, I have good ones, and big brown eyes.

I go for a soft gloss that highlights the pale pink of my lips. For a dress, I only have so many options, but I brought a black wrap and I put it on, slipping into heels right before a knock sounds at the door.

That would be the driver…

Grabbing my suitcase with a sigh, I make my way to the door.

A man in a black suit stands outside the door. He takes my bags and leads me to the discreet black corporate car that’s parked by reception. Opening my door, he helps me in before he loads the bags in the trunk.

I sigh out my irritation. I didn’t want to celebrate, but I want to go back to Vegas even less.

I’m in control of nothing these days. Maybe I never was. But when I was in New York, it at least felt like I was living my own life.

I should have known that I always belonged to Kincaid Enterprises.

That I’d have to give the company my pound of flesh. I’m sure I was naïve. But also, in some ways, it feels like I’m giving more than any of my brothers. I’m giving up my life, a chance for love, my entire future.

My eyes close, blocking out the bright sun and lush green of the island. Maybe I’ll run away. Disappear.

The jarring sound of my phone ringing interrupts my thoughts.

I open my eyes to see Luke’s name flashing on the screen. I wince. I’ve been avoiding him, and I know it.

I love Luke. He’s my cousin who is really like a brother. We grew up in the same house. He gave me noogies and beat up the kid who stole my lunch money in fourth grade.

But Luke and Mason are about to kill each other and if Luke understood how much pressure Mason was putting on me, Luke and Mason’s relationship would explode, never to be repaired.

I press the screen. “Hello?”

“Hey, Bug,” Luke chuckles at his nickname for me. “How’s Hawaii?”

“Roman told you?”

“He did. Just like he told me you got engaged.”

I nip at my lip. Roman is my youngest brother. Both Roman and I lived with Luke and Luke’s mom when my parents died. Even though Roman is my real brother, Luke reads me way better. Of all my male relatives, I’m the closest to him. Which is why, I’ve been avoiding him. He’ll see right through me. “Sorry, Luke. It’s been crazy.”

“Funny,” he rumbles into the phone. “But I can tell that it’s not crazy fun.”

Shit. Even through the phone, he knows. “It’s not that. I was up all night with Cici and Maggie and they kept giving me champagne. I’m just…”

“You? Hungover?” He sounds even more worried.

“Something like that.”

“We’re going to chat about that one later…” He clears his throat. “When do I get to meet this man who is marrying my best girl?”

“We both know that Kate is your best girl.”

“No. Kate is my woman.”

That’s Luke. Black and white. “I’m a woman too, Lukey.”

Luke pauses for a second, tension filling the line, before he says. “I know, Bug. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not still looking out for you. I want to meet this man you’re marrying.”

I shake my head. “Soon. Promise.”

“Bug.” He says, almost sounding like he might plead. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I say, my throat almost feeling raw. The words well up. I could tell Luke everything. Beg for his help. He’d hide me in his very big shadow, he’d get rid of Preston, and he’d force Mason to make other plans without me.

But then… I really would be a little girl. Luke and Mason would never recover and me, I’d be the domino that caused an empire to fall.

“You mean it?”

“With all my heart.”

“Then how come we don’t talk? How come I haven’t met this guy?”

I nip at my lip. Luke isn’t taking no for an answer. “You will. I’m seeing his parents tonight. Once that happens…”

“Tonight? Aren’t you in Hawaii?” Luke’s voice gets harder with every word.

I sink down lower in my seat. “Flying back to Vegas today.”

“Is Mason going to be with you when you see them?” Luke thinks he’s not as smart as the other Kincaids. But he’s sniffing me out like a detective.

“I think so.”

“At the charity event?”

“You know about the event?”

“It’s Roman and Maddie’s event, of course I know. All of Vegas is going to be there. Including Mason.”

How did I forget that? I’m falling apart. “Maybe?”

That’s when another call comes through. Roman. What’s happening? It’s like all my brothers have put me in the center of the circle. Roman is the savviest of all my brothers. “Luke, Roman’s calling. I’m going to add him in.” I could use the buffer to deflect Luke’s attention.

“Hey, Bella,” Roman says in his smooth baritone. “How are you, beautiful?”

“Sorry, Roman,” Luke cuts him off. “Bug and I are in the middle of a discussion. And I won’t be distracted. Your fiancé hasn’t told you where you’re meeting his parents?”

I’m not falling into any Luke traps. “Technically, I met them once already, back in New York, before we were engaged.”

I don’ t think they remember me. They treated me like I was the flavor of the month, Preston’s mother calling me three different names in the five minutes we chatted.

“Answer my question,” Luke rumbles.

“Luke,” Roman cuts in. “Go easy.”

That’s the problem with having a family full of successful billionaires. He isn’t letting it go. “Preston and I haven’t had a chance…”

“I’m going to the event tonight.”

“Luke.” I plead. This night is going to be stressful enough without adding tension between Luke and Mason. My breath is coming out in short huffs. The driver eyes me in the rearview, clearly aware that I’m distressed.

I can feel the walls closing in as I turn my face to look out the window. But it’s no use. My vision blurs and my skin starts to tingle.

“Bug,” Luke begins, hearing my breaths. “Bella,” his voice gentles. “I promise I won’t speak a word to Mason… tonight.”

I’m absolutely certain that Luke intends to have that discussion in the future. But if I can stretch the problems out to one at a time… “Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Luke,” I breathe into the phone. “Please. I can’t be the reason you and Mason blow apart. Don’t take up the fight. I’ll be fine. I’ve got this.”

“I don’t know about that,” Roman grumps.

“Hmm,” Luke says at the same time. I look up to realize we’re pulling into the private airstrip where the Kincaid plane awaits. “Mason can railroad the strongest man. I won’t let him hurt another woman in our family.”

“Another woman?” I ask, my anxiety forgotten with this new piece of information. Now we’re getting somewhere interesting.

But Luke is way savvier than I am. “I’ll see you tonight, okay?” he deflects.

“Tell me you’re bringing Kate at least.”

“Of course, I am,” he rumbles. “And if it’s easier to talk to her, you can tell her what’s going on so she can tell me.”

I promise nothing. “See you tonight.”

“Glad you’re going to be there, Bella,” Roman says. “Maddie and I appreciate the support.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” But my hand comes to my forehead. This night is going to be a disaster.