“Oh um. Is there anything else I can get for you?” she asks a little flustered.
“I’m good,” I tell her.
“I am set.” Mikaela chimes in.
“I’ve got what I need.” River tells her.
She smiles again.
“Okay then. I’ll be back to check on you guys in a little bit.”
“Oh, trust me, we’ll be here,” Mikaela says amused.
Our waitress walks off and River leans back in his seat. He looks from Mikaela to me and back to Mikaela and shakes his head. Lady Kingsley takes a bite of her sandwich and starts in on small talk as if what just transpired in front of us didn’t happen. Maybe if I wasn’t an attorney, or if I didn’t know this woman like the back of my hand. I wouldn’t see right through the game she is playing with River.
“Fine.” River says.
“Fine?” Mikaela says innocently as she takes a slow and deliberate sip of her coke.
“Yes, fine. I’ll let you dress me tonight?”
Oh, poor kid, he just walked into the quicksand and doesn’t even realize it.
“You’ll let me?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah, no. I’m good. I am sure you can manage yourself.”
“What? But you—.”
His head snaps over to me and I shrug. I am definitely staying out of this one. I can almost hear the wheels turning inside his skull.
“Mikaela. Will you please, pretty please help me out tonight with clothing?”
A big triumphant smile appears on Lady Kingsley’s beautiful face.
“River. It would be my absolute pleasure.”
Present
River shows up at my place twenty minutes early. Luckily when the doorman alerts me of his arrival, I am already dressed and ready to go. When I open the door to greet him, I am met with a wolf whistle.
“Holy smokes, I’d say you clean up good. But you always look amazing. You’ve outdone yourself tonight though.” River tells me.
“Wow River, who would have thought that you could be so smooth.” I tease.
He smiles brightly, his dark eyes twinkling as he does.
“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me.” He says as he wiggles his eyebrows.
I roll my eyes and chuckle.
“Now let’s get you ready to knock this woman’s socks off tonight. Follow me.” I say as I start to walk to my dressing room.
I’ve had my assistant bring some racks of stuff and we have a lot to choose from. Luckily, my assistant had taken River’s measurements for his suit at Mika and Raeva’s wedding. So, everything I pull will fit. I start grabbing some things and matching them together. I don’t want to steer too much from his flamboyant self because it wouldn’t be River if I did. But, seeing as we are trying to impress this girl, toning it down a little will help—I think. I hand him stone washed jeans, a white shirt with an interesting blue print on it. I’ve paired it with an off-white sports coat and finish it off with a pair of dark brown brogues and a matching brown tie.
“Try these.”
River takes the clothes from me and I expect him to head to the bathroom to change. Instead, he starts disrobing right in front of me. It is so unexpected, that I don’t even know how to react at first.
“Would you be more comfortable changing in the bathroom?”
“Nah.” He says as he pulls his shirt over his head.
Holy shit, who knew all those muscles were hidden under those loud shirts?
Little River Ray isn’t so little. He’s got a six-pack and some pretty impressive biceps.
“You’re pretty much my sister.” He adds.
Well damn, if I had actually had any interest other than pure platonic/familial friendship, that would have hurt. But as it stands, the statement actually relaxes me.
“True,” I tell him with a grin.
Still though, when he starts to pull his pants down, I turn around pretending to be looking at something on one of the racks. A few moments later, River announces that he’s ready. I turn around and excitement starts to wash over me. I start to clap my hands together like a small child looking at a pile of presents. He looks freaking H-O-T hot! He smiles widely when I tell him so.
“I guess I clean up well, huh Mickey?”
“Ugh Mickey? Really?”
He chuckles. “Yup. From now on, that’s you.”
For the fiftieth time tonight I roll my eyes at him and smirk.
“Listen,” I tell him. “You’re lucky that I am in such a good mood tonight, or I’d sic my security guys on you.”
“I guess that does make me lucky. You’ll still be Mickey though.”
I can’t help but laugh and he joins in. We are joking about it, but actually for the first time that I’ve had to be stuck with around the clock security, this is the first time I am actually grateful that they are tailing me. Who knows what my father has planned for this evening? But my goal is to definitely throw a wrench in whatever that plan may be. Granted, he doesn’t know I’ll be showing up at the art show. But tonight, I am showing up to let him know that I am ready for battle. He can throw whatever the hell he wants at me, but this time, I am not a little girl he can manipulate and control. This time I am a grown woman who will take him down. Having people watch my back while I make such a bold declaration, does embolden me some.
“Would you like a drink before we leave?” I offer.
“I’d actually love one.” He says as he holds out his arm for me to take.
I link my arm with his and we make our way to the kitchen to grab some drinks. When we step into the kitchen, I see a few unexpected but familiar faces. My brother, Eric and my bestie/sister-in-law Raeva are all sitting at the breakfast bar. Raeva’s eyebrow shoots up when she sees the two of us walking in, arms linked and laughing. Eric’s expression is stoic as always, but the stiffness in his body language betrays him. He doesn’t like what he is seeing and I can’t deny that a small part—okay fine a pretty big part of me, is hoping that he’s a little jealous. It’s no surprise that my brother is the first to speak.
“Well then, do we need to have the birds and the bee’s talk here then?”
River bursts out laughing.
“Holy crap. That’s hilarious. You don’t think we hooked up, do you?”
“River, if you did anything at all with my sister. It had better be more than just hooking up,” Mika says.
“First, damn River we could have had some fun with this.” I tell him with a wink. “Second, you don’t get to decide who I hook up with or who. I do whatever it is I want to Mika James Kingsley.”
Raeva bursts out laughing.
“Oh, damn baby, she full named you. You’re in trouble now!”
Mika frowns.
“Not that I don’t always love seeing you, but what are you guys doing in my kitchen?”
The three of them exchange some looks. But my gaze is fixed on Eric. It’s Raeva who starts first.
“The doorman told me River was here when I got home. When he wasn’t at our place, I was curious why he was at your place?”
River and I exchange a look. River steps forward and takes my hand in his. He sighs dramatically.
“Well clearly, we can’t keep anything from you guys. So, we might as well come out with it.”
I am not sure where he is going with this, but it’s amusing me and I let it go on.
River pauses for what I assume is dramatic effect.
“We are friends and we like to spend time together. Good God, you guys. Mickey is like a sister to me.”
Eric bursts out laughing.
“Did you just call her Mickey? I bet she loves that!”
“She does.” River replies with a snicker.
“Well, I am approving of the influence she has over you. You look good little brother.” Raeva says.
“He does clean up well doesn’t he?” I chime in proudly.
“So, where are we going?” Mika asks.
“Um, who’s we?”
“All of us, of course. We are all dressed up and have nowhere to go. It isn’t as if you guys are going on a date or anything. So, where are we going?”
My eyes flicker to Eric who just shrugs. Thanks a lot for the help there, buddy. I think begrudgingly.
“We have tickets to an art show, it’s exclusive and we snagged only two. Sorry.”
Mika chuckles.
“Clearly, they want to sell art. Why would they turn away a Kingsley?”
Damn it. Of course, he makes a good point.
“There will already be one Kingsley there.” I try weakly.
“More Kingsley’s means more money to be made. Besides, Raeva wanted to get some new art for the house in the Hamptons. Didn’t you baby?”
Raeva nods her head. “Yup.”
“Why are you so hell-bent on coming?” I demand.
“Why are you so hell-bent on us not coming?” Mike retorts.
Touché.
I look up at Eric once more trying to get some kind of assistance here.
“I am sure that we can find something else to do,” Eric tells Mika.
Mika doesn’t look sold. I look over at Raeva and decide that she is my last hope here. Our eyes lock and I send her a pleading look. I hope that she is getting my drift. Just when I think that she isn’t getting the vibe I am sending her. She puts her arms around my brother.
“Actually babe. I wanted to go eat at Indigenous tonight. I have a real craving for those potato bites.”
“Craving huh? Well, I guess we will have to go there then.” He tells her as he kisses the tip of her nose.
My brother is so enamored with Raeva and he will stop at absolutely nothing to make her happy. Gratitude for my favorite sister-in-law engulfs me. I make a mental note to send her a big thank you gift later.
“Thank you.” I mouth to her.
She winks.
“Okay then, well we have to go. You guys can lock up when you leave.” I say as I hastily start making my way to the front door. “You coming?” I call to River over my shoulder.
River makes haste and catches up with me but not before I’ve reached the elevator.
“You practically ran out of there as if your butt was on fire.” He says laughing.
“My God, I thought that he would never let us go.”
“Rae to the rescue!” he says with a smirk.
“Yes, thank God for her.”
“It’s strange to see the man he is at home with my sister and believe that he’s the same take no bullshit businessman I get to see so often at work.” River says as we step into the elevator.
“There is a reason he’s the best. But I’ll always be grateful to your sister for giving him a reason to show the incredible caring side that nobody but me got to see. I love that she brings that out in him.”
We exit the elevator and head to the garage where we get into the waiting vehicle. River scoots next to me in the limo and shakes his head.
“What?” I ask him.
“I just don’t get how someone gets used to this.”
I frown. “To what? A limo?”
He scoffs. “Anybody could get used to that.”
“Then what are you talking about?”
We pull out of the garage and into traffic, headed to the art show.
“All these people. The small army of security that follows you around.”
I shrug.
“Listen, I tried to fight Mika on the subject. And even ditch my security. Every time I ditched one, he added one. When I got to four, we came to an understanding. I let them follow me, but they keep a distance. Which is why they only follow me in a separate vehicle. And when we are in public, they kinda just blend in. I know they are there, but most people wouldn’t guess as to who they are. They’re quite good, actually. I let them track my phone though, so they know when I am on the move.” I confide.
River smiles and pats my knee.
“You really are very strong, Mickey. I’m impressed.”
“You didn’t already know that?”
“Eh, I am a slow learner.”
“Bullshit.”
“Language, young lady!”
We both start laughing and the conversation continues to flow easily. Before we even know we pull up to the gallery. River gets out of the car first and holds his hand out to me. Without any second thought, I accept his hand and allow him to help me out of the car. I knew this thing would be of interest to the paparazzi, but I didn’t think there would be this many of them. The second my feet hit the pavement I am blanketed by an ocean of flashing lights. River pulls me toward him protectively and ushers me to the entrance as if he has done this a million times. When we walk into the open-concept entrance of the gallery I squeeze his hand and smile at him with genuine affection.
“Thank you for that,” I tell him.
“Any time.”
I can feel a lot of eyes on us, but I choose to ignore it. I release River’s hand to shed my coat, which he gracefully takes from me. After checking our coats, we walk further into the large space. The plain walls are a contrast to the colorful paintings that grace them. These are actually quite stunning. There is one painting in particular that steals every ounce of my attention. I am drawn to it the moment I walk into the room. The colors are extraordinary, and the brushstrokes are somehow simultaneously erratic and precise. A feeling of longing, of needing, of wanting creeps over me. I make my way over to it and admire it from several angles before I take a few steps closer and lean in to read the small title card. “Find me.” It reads. The title resonates with me in a profound way. I have been longing to find myself, after losing five years of my life.
“I have to have this painting,” I tell River, breathlessly.
When he doesn’t respond I look up at River. I find him frowning at the small title card.
“What is it?” I urge.
“Did you read the card?”
I scoff. “Of course. If you are worried about the money. It really is a drop in the hat for me. Plus, totally worth it.”
River rolls his eyes.
“I wasn’t talking about the price. You’re a fucking billionaire.”
“So? What is it then?”
“Did you read the card, Mikaela?”
His use of my actual name has me on alert. I turn and look at the title card once more. I have to read it at least three times before it sinks in. I am just about to open my mouth when we get interrupted.
“Wow, you guys actually came! And stopped at my favorite painting.”
We both turn to face the person speaking to us. And then behind her, on the wall in big neon letters flashes her name. Phoenix Kingsley. Surprisingly, River is the first one to speak.
“We never really got properly introduced, my name is River Ray.”
Phoenix smiles and steps forward. My eyes are glued to her every move. She holds out her hand and River takes it in his and brings the back of her hand to his lips. He presses a soft kiss against it.
“I’m Phoenix Kingsley, nice to officially meet you.” She says brightly.
“And this here is my sister-in-law. Mikaela Kingsley.”
Phoenix’s eyes widen slightly.
“Oh! We have the same last name. How funny.”
I can’t seem to find my voice; my brain is going a million miles a minute. Normally, finding someone with the same last name would be a funny coincidence. But with my father pulling out all the stops to get his hands on this ticket, and pretty much stalking the place where she works as a waitress. This girl means something to him. But what? She’s young, I would hope too young to be his wife? Oh God no. Could she be? River nudges me in the side and pulls me out of my own thoughts.
“Are you from around here?” I ask with a shaky voice.
She doesn’t seem to notice.
“I was born here. But my mom and I moved to Florida when I was just a few days old.”
I want to ask about her father, but I hesitate. Before I can make up my mi
nd, River makes my unease null and void.
“What about your father?” he asks, with the tact of a bulldozer.
“He passed away before I was born.”
I don’t even have a second to let her answer reassure me. Because before her words have sunk in, we are rudely interrupted.
“I think you may have gotten some wrong information there, Phoenix.”
Ice replaces the blood in my veins, the air in the room thickens and my chest feels heavy. The three of us turn and face the voice that has addressed us.
“Good evening, Little one.”
Present
The entire room starts to spin. Somewhere in the background, I can hear River asking me if I am okay. I want to tell him that I am not. That I need to get out of here. But I can’t seem to speak let alone move. And just when I don’t think that the night can get any worse. I am proven wrong when another voice—a very familiar voice, bellows from behind me.
“Get the fuck away from my sister or so help me God I will crush you like an ant.”
I am pulled by my arm and I stumble backwards. I bump into a hard chest, and I immediately recognize the scent that envelopes me. Eric’s here too. Mika doesn’t even bother looking at me, he’s that angry. Our father hardly looks impressed. His eyebrow rises toward his hairline and a sinister smile plays on his lips.
“Ah, the eldest son and his lap dog.” He says contemptuously.
“Says the deadbeat sperm donor.” Mika retorts.
“Did you two come to scope out the competition?”
“Am I supposed to know what the hell you are talking about?” Mika sneers.
Dad’s eyes flicker from us to Phoenix and some kind of recognition burns in his eyes.
“Mr. King? What are you talking about?” Phoenix asks.
“Look at her.” She says as he nudges his head toward Phoenix. “Isn’t she beautiful?”
I can see the annoyance wash over Mika’s features.
“I don’t give a flying fuck who she is or what the hell she looks like.”
Reclaiming Tomorrow: Kingsley Series Book 3 Page 10
