Reign of a King (Kingdom Duet #1) by Rina Kent

“What? I think that’s cute.”

“Aiden is anything but cute. He’s the mini version of his father.”

“So what’s the problem here?”

“Jonathan threatened me. If I go through with this with Ethan, he’ll come after me.”

“Not if you have Ethan’s protection.”

My brow furrows. “What do you mean?”

She takes a generous gulp of her iced coffee and crosses one leg over the sofa, fully facing me. “Okay, listen up. So Jonathan is like this big bad wolf, right? Guess who can kill a wolf?”

“A hunter?”

“Yeah, but we don’t have that. What’s the next best thing?”

“I’m not even sure where you’re going with this. Is this another one of your crazy ideas?”

“Focus, mate. What else but a hunter can kill a wolf?”

“Spare me the suspense.”

“Another wolf.”

“Another wolf?”

“The only way to bring Jonathan down is to use Ethan.”

“Really?”

“Why do you think Jonathan is so against the idea of you going to Ethan? He knows that if you have Steel Corporation’s support, he won’t be able to touch you. In a way, we’ll be under Ethan’s protection, and he’s known to take great care of small businesses and even their lawsuits.”

“You think?”

“I’m kind of sure.”

“Kind of?”

“The fact that he insists to know where you’ve been in the past keeps throwing me off.” She takes another sip of her coffee. “Why don’t you clear that up?”

“I don’t owe him anything.”

“You don’t, but if it can clear a misunderstanding, do it. It’s better not to be on his radar at all.”

Problem is, I think I already am. I screwed it up yesterday and I’ve been flagged by Jonathan whether I like it or not.

Besides, what misunderstanding could there be? Jonathan and I always lived in different worlds. Hell, his nineteen-year-old son doesn’t seem to know he has an aunt.

We have that much distance between us, yet he acted as if it never existed.

“So?” Layla urges.

“What?”

“What are you waiting for? Call Ethan.”

“Shouldn’t I give him more time to think about it?”

“More like forget about it. A man like him must receive a hundred company offers per day. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but you get the idea. Hit it while it’s hot, mate.”

I hide my laughter at the way she talks. Being brought up as the youngest girl after four older brothers turned Layla adorably tomboyish.

“What are you laughing at?”

“You sound like a street thug.”

“Suck my D.”

Layla is the type who always wants to curse, but she refrains out of respect for her religion, so she either uses initials or spells the words out.

“You don’t have a dick, Layla.”

She makes a face, then claps her hands. “Come on, no time to waste. Get your designing mojo.”

“I’m nervous about this one.”

“That’s what you say every time and you knock socks off. Now, off to work.”

My heart warms at her words. Layla believes in me, even when I don’t believe in myself. She’s the best friend and partner I could’ve wished for.

It’s due to those facts that I protect her from my past. All she knows about me is that I’m an orphan — which is far from the truth.

I stand up and hug her. She awkwardly pats my back. Another thing about Lay? She doesn’t like hugs or being touched in general, but she puts up with me.

“Thank you,” I say, pulling away. “You’re my ride or die.”

“That was your hug for the week.” She waves on her way to the door.

“Suck my dick, Lay.”

“You don’t have one.” She throws over her shoulder, laughing.

As the door closes behind her, I pull my phone out and dial Agnus. He picks up after the first ring.

“Morning, Agnus.”

“Morning.”

“Listen. I’m sorry about leaving that way yesterday. I was wondering if I could get Ethan’s card? I think I lost mine.” Because of the brute Jonathan.

“There’s no need.”

My heart falls. Does this mean it’s over? Were they offended that I left yesterday?

“I was going to call to schedule a meeting between you and Ethan in your company. He wants to visit and consider an investment. Let's say, tomorrow at ten?”

Oh. God. He’s considering an investment. Jackpot.

I try not to sound so excited as I say, “That would be perfect. Thank you.”

Screw Jonathan. I’ll follow Layla’s advice. If I have Ethan, he won’t be able to hurt me, even if he tries.

Or so I think.





7





Aurora





Today is the day.

Ever since we found out about Jake’s betrayal, Layla and I — and everyone else in the company — have been working so hard to reach a day like this one.

Investors. Legitimate ones — not the others who backed away after a walk in the factory or in the offices.