KING: Las Vegas Bad Boys(76)

“I’ll be in touch the moment I hear back from Mackle’s lawyer. Probably in the next day. And as far as The King’s Diamond is concerned...?”

“Right,” Jack says. “Denzel, did you get the paperwork from Ace and Geoffrey?”

“Sure did. Looks like you’re both really expanding your portfolios,” Denzel says. “Now investors in The King’s Diamond as well.”

I swallow my pride. I wish it was me with the money to invest, me with the money to save my dad’s business. But I’m grateful that Jack and Ace are willing to help float them until they consolidate a dozen storefronts and go with my idea of less stores, more luxury, celebrity sponsors and exclusive branding at the new club.

The company will be saved, just at a different scale than Geoffrey was trying to go. We’ll become more niche, less mainstream—and we’ll find the right customers when we switch gears. I’m sure of it.

With our plan to salvage Dad’s business, I can have the penthouse situated about The King’s Diamond Vegas location.

I have a home. A job.

But I’m not sure if I have my woman. She deceived me, and now I’m getting the cold shoulder.

Just when I thought I had it all, it started to fall apart. I can’t fix everything, but I can move forward. I can show Claire how I’m nothing like the man from her past.

I can show her I’m the fucking man of her dreams.



“I’ve never been on a plane,” Sophia says loudly. “I’m scared, Gram. So scared.” She clutches Eva’s arm.

“It’s fine, sweetie,” Eva says, reaching into her bag for Sophia’s blanket. “It might be a long flight, boys,” she says to us, smiling. “I still can’t believe we are going to England. This is insane.”

I invited them along because Claire needs to know that being with me means being with family. I can’t ask her to start a life with me, and not have them there.

“Gram, read me a story, pleeeeeeease?”

McQueen looks over at me, smiling. “You gonna be able to handle that gig?” He tilts his head at Sophia.

I don’t know what to say. I fucking hope so.

“He’ll be fine. He’s always had a way with women,” Jack says raising his beer, smirking.

The plane takes off, and an hour passes while Landon and McQueen and I discuss the club. When a hand touches my arm, I turn and see Sophia standing a foot away.

“Landon, will you sit next to me?” she asks. “I’m scared, and Gram is sleeping. But Mama said you were her friend, so I feel safe with you.”

“Of course,” I say, trying to act as cool as possible, wanting to be the person she needs right now. “Perhaps I could read you a story?”

“I love stories. Stories about Kings and Queens who live in castles. Have you ever been to a castle, Landon?” she asks, as I lay her soft pink blanket over her knees.

“As a matter of fact, I have been to a castle. My mum and dad live in one, and when the plane lands, we’re going there.”

Her eyes are bright, alive—just like her mother’s—as I tell her about the gardens and the rooms, the parlors and the butler. Then she asks the question that only a five-year-old girl raised on Disney would ask.

“Does your castle have a princess?”

“It does. Your mum is there right now. She’s a princess—to me at least.”

Sophia smiles, nodding in agreement. Then her brows furrow as a question crosses her mind. “Will she get a happily ever after, my mama?”

“I think so, Sophia. I think so.”





Claire


The next morning I wake, determined to end the day with as much dignity as possible. I ended last night in a puddle of tears, for the truth of my past I had kept buried for so long.

Screw Emmy and Tess’s advice. I needed to talk with Landon, to see if he and I were anything. But I haven’t spoken to him. When I finally tried to call him, his phone went straight to voicemail. I couldn’t even bear to leave a message.

I just hope the fact that he didn’t answer means he’s on a plane coming back.

He’d ended our phone call yesterday so angry. I don’t know where we stand.

But regardless of whether he and I are over, now I need to be brave. I need to set the story straight, once and for all.

I can’t keep pretending.

My friends told me I didn’t owe anyone anything. But in my heart, I know I do. I want to move forward in my life with the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help me God.

Living with shadows—secrets curling around my toes, keeping my feet tethered to the ground—isn’t going to get me anywhere. And I am ready to take a step forward.