King of Greed (Kings of Sin #3) by Ana Huang

He’d been a friend, a mentor, and the closest thing I’d had to a father figure. He’d worked so hard on Davenport Capital with me, and he would never see it come to fruition.

A boulder lodged itself in my chest and blocked the flow of oxygen to my lungs.

“One bite.” Alessandra brushed her fingers through my hair. “Last offer.”

I had zero appetite, but I took a bite for her. I’d been so surly and irritable the past two weeks I was surprised she hadn’t left, but she’d stayed by my side through the mood swings, late nights, and restless mornings.

I didn’t know what I’d done in my past life to deserve her. I wish I did so I could repeat it on a loop and ensure we found our way to each other in every lifetime.

“See? That wasn’t so bad,” she teased, taking the empty wrapper from my hand and tossing it in the trash.

I glanced down, surprised to see I’d eaten the whole sandwich. “You tricked me.”

“Don’t blame me. I said one bite. You’re the one who kept going.” Alessandra laughed. Her expression gentled as she slid onto my lap and looped her arms around my neck. My hand settled on her hip, savoring her warmth.

“We’ll get through this,” she said. “I promise.”

“I know.” Grief ebbed and flowed. I wouldn’t drown forever, but Ehrlich’s death would always echo.

“I actually have something for you.” She reached into her pocket and retrieved a small silver object. She pressed it into my free hand, her eyes so tender it wrenched at my heart. “A reminder. No matter how dark it gets, you can always find a light.”



The sun had set, cloaking the town in shadows. Alessandra and Marcelo’s house was dark and quiet; they’d gone out for dinner after all.

The click of my lighter was the only sound interrupting the stillness. I stared at the flame as it danced against the night and illuminated the words engraved in silver.

To Dom

Love always, Ále





CHAPTER 21



Alessandra




NO MATTER HOW SOLID THE ROCK, WAVES WOULD eventually erode it through sheer persistence. It was a law of nature, unstoppable and inevitable.

I feared the same phenomenon was happening with me and Dominic. Every run-in crashed against my defenses; every conversation, no matter how short, chipped at my willpower.

I was nowhere close to forgiving him, but I didn’t run in the opposite direction when I saw him either. I couldn’t decide whether that meant I was coming to terms with our divorce or if I was in danger of sliding back into his orbit.

Either way, I needed to regroup and figure out how to deal with his continued presence. Even if I left Buzios, he’d be there in New York. We had mutual friends, and our chances of running into each other were high. I couldn’t brush him off forever. It was too stressful.

“A drink for your thoughts,” Marcelo quipped, handing me a mini coconut shell.

“That’s dangerous. I’ve had three already.” Nevertheless, I accepted his offer. Batidas de coco—made with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, coconut water, and cachaça—were simply too good to resist.

Plus, it was Marcelo’s last day on the island before he had to return to work, so we were having a last hurrah at our favorite beachfront bar. I was sad he was leaving so soon, but I couldn’t count on my brother to stay by my side forever. One of the reasons I’d left Dominic and the city was to find my autonomy again, and that meant independence from everyone, not just my husband.

Ex- husband, a voice that sounded suspiciously like Sloane’s corrected.

I downed my drink.

“You sure you’re going to be okay here by yourself?” Marcelo asked. “Mom’s apartment in Rio is empty if you want to head there instead. She’s in Tulum. Or Hawaii. Or L.A.” He shook his head. “Actually, I don’t know where the hell she is.”

“Hey, who’s the older sibling here?” I nudged his ankle with my foot. “I’ll be fine. I’m not ready to give up the island life yet.”

Other than the uncertainty cast by Dominic’s arrival, Buzios was paradise. I was tanned and toned from hours of surfing, swimming, and sailing. My arms were stacked with beaded bracelets I’d created at a jewelry making workshop, and my physical tension had gradually melted thanks to daily beach yoga.

I’d spent the past two weeks picking up new hobbies I wasn’t necessarily good at but enjoyed—hello, drawing—and reaffirming the things I didn’t enjoy, like trying to keep up with twenty-yearolds at the bar.

For once, I was living for myself, at my own pace, and I loved it.

“Mm-hmm. Looks like someone else isn’t ready for you to give it up either.” Marcelo nodded at someone behind me. “Incoming.”

I turned, my heart skipping a beat before I saw the brown hair and professionally whitened teeth.

“Hey. Alessandra, right?” Ignacio, my diving instructor from Thursday, walked over with a wide smile. “Tudo bom?” How’s it going?

“Good. How are you?” I replied in Portuguese. I chalked the pinch in my chest up to alcohol, not disappointment.

“Can’t complain.” He cast a curious glance at Marcelo, who held out his hand.

“Marcelo. I’m Alessandra’s brother.”