King of Depravity: Chapter 14

Gris walks into the backroom where we’re having a far grittier meeting than Chloe’s job interview.

“Chloe?” I ask, knowing that even her name is enough.

“Leo’s having her fill out the paperwork and scheduling her for training,” he waves his hand. “He did a fantastic job of making her feel at ease, made her feel like she was an asset.”

“She will be,” I answer with a glare at my brother.

Gris smiles in return. “Of course she will be.”

Mason clears his throat. “I’m all for pride, I really am, but why isn’t she willing to move into one of my buildings?”

I frown. “She’s got history with men abusing their power.” I don’t want to say too much. I just need them to understand so that they don’t push her too hard.

Triston narrows his gaze at me. “I can see how that would make it difficult for her to trust. What I am trying to understand is how you, of all people, managed to breach her defenses.”

It’s a fair question. I’m not sure I understand myself, now that I think about it.

“Whatever the reason,” Mason rolls his shoulders. “You need to get her out of her place.”

“She’ll stay with me until I can convince her to move,” I answer. “I’ll see to that.”

Mason looks satisfied, but Tris and Gris wear matching looks of bewilderment. Fucking twins.

“Have you been possessed?” Gris asks, shaking his head.

“Don’t be a fucking dick,” I snark back.

“There’s my brother,” he returns.

I actually get his point. I’m not sure I even feel like me. Killing Preston aside, this calm has been filling me the past few days is disconcerting.

Like I’m not just darkness, there is room for light, and joy and… I shake my head as conversation moves back to our mutual problem. The Russians.

“I can see why they’re trying to make a move now,” Mason says with a shrug. “With our families joining forces, they know we’ll have the power to do whatever we want. A single casino joined to our tunnel will not allow them to keep pace with either of our families, so they’re trying to double deal in order to keep some measure of power.”

Yeah. If I were the Russians, I might be looking to make a move too. But they’re going to get themselves killed or run out of Vegas.

“I know that Chloe has found herself in the middle of our problems,” Mason taps the table. “Your job will be to remove her from them.”

I look at my brothers who nod in affirmation. “That’s not my usual duties.”

“Not true. You’ve always been involved in protecting the family.”

I guess so. It’s just usually less shielding and more straight up killing. I’m not sure I mind the change. I might be good at a role more like Jake Kincaid’s. Security.

I don’t want to sit behind a desk looking at quarterly reports, but I could get behind creating systems that monitor and protect.

The conversation continues but I find my thoughts drifting. I’ve never thought of myself as having a real future.

I didn’t think I deserved one, to be honest. But keeping Chloe safe…it adds some layer of meaning for which I didn’t even know I was searching for.

We finish up a half hour later, and I head out to wait by the front doors for Chloe while she completes her paperwork.

Mason stops by my side. “Get her to look at the apartments. You can stay with her, but they have state-of-the-art security, and the building is built to withstand a nuclear war.”

I’m surprised Mason is being so insistent, and my look must communicate my thoughts because he pats my arm. “Your work, her sacrifice, is about to make my life significantly easier. She should be rewarded and so should you.” It’s a nice thought, but I know Mason well enough to see that he also might really just want to keep an eye on us.

Is he worried Chloe might talk? I’ll go off the deep end? I’ll take Chloe on the tour, play nice. But if Mason thinks he’s watching me, I’m watching him right back.

Mason turns to leave, Jake following behind him as he gives me a nod. I reach out a hand to shake and he takes it.

“Pleasure to meet you, Killian.”

“And you.”

He lets go of my hand. “I’m hoping to speak with you as you continue to gather intel on the Russians.”

“What about?”

He leans closer. “There are two factions of Italians. One is willing to work with us, but the other is definitely not friendly. Can we sit down so I can go through the ins and outs?”

“Of course,” I answer. “If you’re inclined, I’d like to learn some basics about your position at Kincaid as well.”

His eyes widen before his face breaks out in a smile. “A man of your skill deserves more than the basics. Come by anytime. As we expand, I could use some help, and with the blending of our families, you’d make the perfect addition.”

Well. How about that? Chloe wasn’t the only one who left today with a new job.

My girl appears, a pleased smile tugging at her lips as she shakes Leo’s hand. She walks toward me, looking light on her feet. “I got the job,” she whispers. “I start the day after tomorrow, just training, but it’s so much money,” she gushes in a whisper.

I return her grin. “Great job, baby girl.”

“Thank you, Killian. For this. I know I wouldn’t be here…”

“No problem,” I take her hand. “Ready to go look at some new places?”

She tugs her hand from mine. “I already told you, I don’t accept favors from powerful men. Well…except for you.”

I shake my head. “This isn’t a favor, it’s payment. You and I helped the Kincaids identify a new enemy before they’d even made a move.”

Her eyes widen in understanding. “And I’ll take the favor if you’re uncomfortable. But the Kincaids have top of the line security and I won’t compromise on your safety. So what do you say? Can we go have a look?”

I see the softness that fills her eyes. “What are you doing to me?”

“Charming you?” I’m joking. Everyone knows I’ve got none.

She leans in and then pushes up on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. “That’s it exactly. Who would have believed that you, of all the guys, would be Prince Charming?”

“Let’s not go crazy,” I chuckle, but I’ve got to be honest. I like the way she sees me. I like it a lot.

But hope and happiness are dangerous emotions for a man like me. I try to ignore the voice that warns I wasn’t built for happily ever after. I’ve always known that.

I was born of darkness, and darkness is where I will return…