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

My heart stuttered beneath the blow of surprise. I’d been acquainted with pretty much everyone at Le Boudoir. The only person I hadn’t recognized was…

An image of cold green eyes and pale skin surfaced in my mind’s eye.

“The man who bumped into me.” Realization chilled my skin. I’d pushed him out of my mind, but few people disconcerted me as quickly and thoroughly as he had. “That was Roman?”

Based on Dominic’s previous descriptions, I’d pictured a lanky boy with a buzz cut and sullen expression, not someone who looked like they moonlighted as a killer. Then again, he hadn’t seen his brother since they were teenagers. Of course Roman was different now.

Dominic gave a curt nod. He gave me a quick rundown of their interactions since they had run into each other, which wasn’t much. “I haven’t seen or heard from him since the dinner. I have someone tracking him down, but there’s been nothing yet.”

“Maybe he finished his work in the city and left,” I suggested.

“He hasn’t left the city,” Dominic said flatly. “If he had, he wouldn’t be this hard to track.”

True. If someone with Dominic’s money and resources couldn’t find him…A niggle of unease wormed through my stomach. “He wouldn’t hurt you though, would he? You two were close.”

“Were being the operative word. I don’t think he ever forgave me for not being his alibi when he was arrested.” A shadow crossed Dominic’s face. “I looked for him a few times over the years, but he was a ghost. I thought he’d died.”

I picked up on the tiniest kernel of guilt in his tone.

Dominic didn’t have many close friends, but he was loyal to those who were loyal back. He’d mentioned once that Roman had taken the rap for him multiple times when they were young. One time, Dominic had stolen cash from his foster mother for a bus ticket to a nearby college tour. Roman had covered for him and said he’d taken the money for a date. In retaliation, their foster mom had hit him with a belt so hard he hadn’t been able to sleep on his back for days.

Dominic never said it, but I knew he harbored regrets over how things with Roman had ended.

“Do you want a relationship with him again?” I asked gently. “It’s been a long time since you were brothers. You’re not the same people anymore.”

“I don’t trust him.” He evaded a direct answer. “I want to know what the hell he’s doing in New York and what he’s been up to since he got out of juvie. That’s all.”

I had a feeling Dominic wasn’t telling me everything. He had a lot of unresolved issues with his brother, but even if we had still been married, it wasn’t my place to help him heal that part of his past. Some journeys were meant to be taken alone.

A loud peal of laughter drifted up from another balcony and dispelled the brooding aftermath of Dominic’s statement.

He wiped a hand over his face with a rueful laugh. “I’m sorry. This wasn’t the conversation I’d planned for our first date, but you asked about New York and…” His Adam’s apple slid up and down his throat. “You’re the only person I’ve ever been able to talk to about these things.”

“I know,” I said softly. “You don’t have to apologize.”

This was the Dominic I missed. The one who opened up and talked to me instead of hiding behind his masks and money. He was afraid people would leave if they saw behind the curtain, but the parts hidden there were what made him human. Some wanted the myth and legend of Dominic Davenport; I wanted the man.

Used to want. Past tense, a stern voice reminded me. Don’t forget this isn’t a real date.

I didn’t forget. But it also wasn’t a coincidence that, in a day filled with private jets and lavish meals and luxury suites, my favorite part had been a simple conversation about Dominic’s family.

The opulence didn’t touch my defenses, but the vulnerability chipped at my walls until a tiny section of them crumbled.





CHAPTER 25



Alessandra




DOMINIC AND I SPENT OUR FIRST DAY IN FLORIPA LAZING around the resort. He had someone bring me a suitcase full of new clothes and makeup since I hadn’t packed for an overnight trip, and he’d booked a second suite in case I didn’t want to stay in the same one as him, but I’d settled for separate bedrooms. The presidential suite was so big, I wouldn’t see him unless I wanted to, anyway.

I’d expected a full itinerary of activities during our stay, but he was surprisingly hands-off about what we did here. Other than mealtimes, which we shared, he kept a respectful distance—almost too much so. By the time the next morning rolled around, I felt like I was on a work trip with a colleague instead of a date.

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Isabella asked. I’d called her to check on the status of the store since we hadn’t gotten the chance to discuss business during yesterday’s group chat. “You can lie by the pool, go home, and call it a day. That’s what you wanted.”

“Maybe. It’s not like him to be so passive.” Why would Dominic fly us to another city only to leave me to fend for myself?

“I don’t know. People change. Either way, enjoy yourself and don’t think about work too much, okay?” Isabella said. “Sloane has the grand opening party under control, and I’m loving the construction noise while I write.” She was the only person I knew who’d say something like that and mean it. Isabella thrived in chaos. “I don’t want to hear a peep from you this weekend. If there’s an emergency, I’ll call you.”