King Me (King Me Duet Book 1)

by Terri E. Laine

  “Why don’t we take this to the parlor before his face becomes our new wallpaper,” the blonde suggested.

  I might have laughed at her deadpan delivery, but Connor’s hand tightened on my head.

  “Maybe it’s time to redecorate,” Connor said.

  The blonde had some kind of hold on Connor because she laid a hand on his forearm and said, “Maybe it’s time to tell Mr. Black to take a walk,” with a look that only he could interpret. I had no idea who Mr. Black was but assumed it was a private joke between them.

  I was yanked away from the wall. Taken off guard, I stumbled as I was perp walked toward the back of the house and shoved into a room to the right as Jeremy spoke in such a heavy Scottish accent, I had no idea what he said.

  Gaining my dignity, I managed not to fall onto the couch and turned to face the crowd of people in the doorway eying me like I was the main attraction. Maybe I was.

  A gorgeous redhead stepped forward. “Can I offer you something to drink?”

  By the murderous look on Jeremy’s face, she was his. “Lass,” he said.

  The blonde held up a hand. “Let Bails get him something. Not like she should be here to see what comes next.”

  Well, that meant I only had one potential ally.

  “A bottle of water,” Jeremy conceded.

  Connor held up a hand. “No, a glass will do just fine.”

  He must have thought I was stupid. “If you want my fingerprints and DNA, I’ll gladly give them up to prove I ain’t lying.”

  “And what makes you think you’re our brother?” Connor asked.

  “My mother. And don’t say something stupid. My mom isn’t a whore. Your dad is just a lying sack of shit.”

  “Aye, that we can agree about the old man,” Jeremy said.

  “Why don’t you start by telling me what your relation is to Grant King?”

  I chuckled a little. “Grant thought that maybe you all didn’t know about him. But the fact that you’re saying his name means you did. I guess when his dad gave up the family fortune to his brother, you all wrote him off.”

  In the moment, I felt self-righteous until the brothers exchanged looks like I’d spoken gibberish.

  “I know Grant because he flew me and my wife several months back. I didn’t use my legal name for the reservation for reasons that aren’t important now. I wrote off our common last name as this is the first time I’ve heard that we have an uncle, a cousin and potentially a brother. And you look like him,” Connor answered.

  “What do we have here?” The voice was old yet strong.

  Connor, Jeremy and the blonde, whose name hadn’t yet been revealed, filed into the room as a man in a wheelchair rolled in.

  Royce King—my father.

  I almost moved forward and held out my hand in the way my mother taught me manners. Instead, I stiffened my spine and said, “I’m Liam, your son.”

  There were only a few seconds of silent tension until the old man’s cackles filled the room. “I could have guessed who you were. But you have your facts wrong. I’m not your father.”

  As rage filled my very soul, I balled my fist- this time ready to pummel the man that had given me life. “Yet, you recognize me.”

  “Only because my dear brother sent me a,” he waved his hand around. “What do you call it?” He snapped his fingers. “A come-to-Jesus letter along with your picture asking me to do the right thing a few years back.”

  “Brother,” Connor said to Royce as I was no longer the center of attention.

  “Yer a pie,” Jeremy said.

  I wasn’t sure what to make of that except the disgusted look he gave Royce said it all.

  “What? None of you asked,” Royce said.

  “Ya reprobate,” Jeremy said.

  “You—Jeremy.” He pointed at him.

  “It’s Kalen.”

  That caught me off guard, especially the murderous look he gave Royce.

  “I named you, Jeremy. Your mother stole you away and started calling you that ridiculous name. Besides, it’s not like we’ve talked. You’ve only been here a few years and you don’t hide your disgust. And you—” he aimed his finger at Connor. “You were off at boarding school. Teddy had walked away from this family by then. Not the other way around. Therefore, it wasn’t important for you to know about him.”

  “You recommended his charter service for me to use,” Connor accused.

  “My assistant did.” Royce shrugged.

  “Only because you told her to.” Though Connor seemed mollified by this.

  “Teddy’s a good pilot,” Royce said.

  “As is his son. But it would have been nice to know he was my cousin.”

  The redhead, whom the blonde had called Bails, came in and handed me a glass of water with a pleasant smile.

  “Thanks,” I said.

  That was all it took for all eyes to land on me again.

  “If he’s not your son, who is he to you?” Connor asked.

  Royce only shrugged.

  “Liam favors Grant and when I met him, I couldn’t shake that there was something familiar about him. Why would his mother lie about who his father is?” Connor questioned.

  “Why would any woman name a wealthy man the father of her child?” Royce accused.

  That was it. “Don’t talk about my mother like that.” I lunged and the blonde stepped in my path with a hand held up. I managed to stop on a dime because I wasn’t asshole enough to barrel into a pregnant woman, especially when she grabbed her belly and doubled over with pure agony smeared all over her beautiful face.

  Connor’s face morphed into one of supreme concern. A kind of tenderness I’d never seen reflected on me except in my mother’s eyes.

  “Princess! Are you okay?” Connor asked.

  She nodded frantically but continued to say nothing. A splash of liquid hit the floor which had everyone gasping.

  “Shit. It’s time, isn’t it?” Connor asked.

  With gritted teeth, she mumbled, “No. I just had to pee.” The look she gave him was thunderous.

  “I’ll call the doctor for you,” Bails said. “Someone should drive you. You shouldn’t drive. I’ll grab my car from around back.”

  “No, lass. I’ll go,” Kalen said.

  “No,” I said, surprising even myself. “My truck is out front. I can get you wherever you need to go.” With all eyes on me, I shrugged. “Quicker,” I offered.

  A cry full of pain escaped my brother’s wife’s lips.

  “Breathe, baby,” he comforted her.

  “Can we please go?” she cried out.

  “Lizzy, I’ll grab your bag,” the redhead said to the blonde.

  “Thanks, Bails.”

  The house erupted with activity. The family rallied around Connor and Lizzy, forgetting about me. Even the man that helped create my life grew quiet and watched them run around. As everyone disappeared from the room, he and I were left alone. I held his gaze and opened my mouth to speak when Kalen popped his head back in the room.

  “Are yer coming or not?”

  I nodded and hustled out of the room, passing the old man without another look. There would be time for what needed to be said. But I’d given my word to help. I couldn’t back out now. I would represent my mother well, manners and all.

  The chaos continued all the way out the car. People bringing Lizzy things such as her bag, her coat and offers of support. I got a dose of what it would be like to be a part of their family. It wasn’t much different from mine.

  Uncle Ted, Grant, and Mom were all the family I had. We did everything together.

  I rushed to unlock the passenger door, wanting to avoid their judgmental looks at my truck. I was certain Lizzy and Connor had never driven in anything of its ilk in their lives.

  As I held the door open, Connor helped Lizzy into the cab with such reverence, I started to understand why Carrie might have fallen under his spell.

  “Let’s go,” he ordered me after she was safely tucked i
n. For whatever reason, I didn’t balk at his domineering tone, I hurried to the other side where the rest of the family huddled together to see us off. Where I thought I’d see judgement in the glance I gave Kalen, I saw gratefulness as he nodded his approval.

  “By the way, the thing with Carrie and me ended over a year ago. Long before I met my wife,” Connor said.

  Lizzy laughed. “You’re damn right it did.”

  Nothing so far had gone like I expected. Something I couldn’t dwell on. I wasn’t even sure of my next move after I got them to the hospital.

  Once the engine cranked to life, Connor began barking directions which I followed carefully. I ignored his tone even though I could feel his tension. I imaged if I were in his shoes, I’d feel the same way.

  Connor barely waited for me to come to a complete stop in front of the emergency room entrance before opening the passenger side and hopping out. As he helped Lizzy out, I got out too.

  I was several steps behind them as they entered through the automatic double doors.

  “You!” a female called out.

  I paused at the accusatory tone and turned to find a pint-sized woman bundled head to toe in warm winter clothing with a bag slung over her shoulder. Hair that varied in color from blonde to brown was sticking out from under her beanie. She looked familiar and it took a moment before it clicked Rest stop girl, I thought to myself. What were the odds?

  “Did you want to say you’re welcome?” I asked.

  She gave me a snide reaction. “No. I’m being nice and telling you not to leave your truck there.”

  “Thanks, but I’ll only be a minute. And I don’t expect a ‘you’re welcome’.”

  Though she was cute, I was about to dismiss her and follow after my brother when she spoke again. “You’re going to get towed.”

  I stopped. “Thanks again for the warning, but again I won’t be that long.”

  I didn’t get a step further when she added, “This is New York. I won’t be able to stop them from towing it.”

  “Fine,” I said, not waiting for her to say any more as I grew impatient to get inside.

  I needed to get to Connor before he disappeared around back as I wasn’t sure if I should go back to the house. I’d said what I needed to Royce, though nothing had been resolved.

  Inside the hospital, Connor and Lizzy stood in front of a desk further back speaking to an attendant as she keyed in information. When I reached them, she was attaching a wrist band to Lizzy.

  Lizzy was opened her mouth to speak when another nurse arrived with a wheelchair for her. She sat on it before holding up a hand. “Liam,” she said.

  “Yes.”

  “Bailey got you a suite at the Eventi Hotel. It’s under Kalen’s name but you are listed as the guest. Once our baby is here, we can resolve the rest if you’re okay with that?”

  “He’s okay. He better be,” Connor said, glaring at me.

  I’d arrived on a whim and hadn’t made plans of where exactly I would be staying. I didn’t expect to be in New York for too long, but my plans changed. I was relieved Bailey thought ahead and booked me a hotel to stay longer. It saved me the time in finding accommodation during this pandemic. “Thanks,” I said, though it might have come out more humbly if not for Connor’s scowl.

  They wheeled Lizzy through double doors further into the hospital before both disappeared behind them. I headed back the same way I came.

  As I stepped out into the frosty air, to my right I see the rest stop woman standing in the same spot with her arms crossed, trying to keep warm.

  “I told you I’d only be a minute and my truck is still here.” I gave her my best winning smirk and a wink.

  She didn’t seem to appreciate what had dazzled most women I’d encountered. “More like five minutes by my watch. You lucked out this time.”

  I stopped halfway to my truck as it was strange that she was standing around the front of the hospital. “What are doing here anyway? Is someone you know in hospital?”

  “Nope.”

  Maybe she was waiting for a cab. I knew what my mother would do in this situation. “You know, I’m probably wasting my time, but what the hell. Can I offer you a ride or something? It’s freezing out here.”

  There was nothing sweet about her smile. “If you weren’t so arrogant, I might have taken a ride. I’d also need somewhere to go.”

  I wasn’t sure I heard her correctly. “Why are you waiting out here if you have nowhere to go?”

  “Not that it’s any of your business…” Her teeth practically chattered as she spoke with puff of clouds emitted after every word, but she continued. “My roommate situation fell through because of what’s going on and every hotel I’ve called is booked.”

  For the second time that day, I found myself speaking before thinking. “Damn. If I wasn’t so arrogant,” I said, repeating her words, “I might have offered to let you crash in my suite.” Why had I said that?

  She tossed her head back and laughed, the belly aching kind. “And if that was the opening to a slasher movie, I’d accept, but this is New York, and you’re a total stranger.”

  It was my turn to laugh. “True. I am more of a stranger than a roommate who left you out in the cold.” I shrugged, making my point.

  She rolled her eyes. “Maybe not. But there was a rental agreement and stuff.”

  “A rental agreement that apparently holds no weight, leaving you to freeze.” I shook my head and moved to my truck. I smiled to myself as I heard her footsteps behind me.

  “Wait,” she called out as I reached for the door handle.

  I turned to her, folding my arms across my chest. She came up just short of running into me. I arched a brow in question.

  “If I took you up on your offer, what would you want in return?” There was a desperate look on her face. I could have been in her situation if not for Lizzy and Bailey. That didn’t mean I appreciated her suggestion.

  Though she was bundled up, I gave her a once over to make a point. “You’re cute and all, but I don’t have to beg women to be in my bed. Besides, who said I was offering?”

  “You said—” She trailed off as she likely played back my statement in her head. I moved my hand in a circle to goad her, and she continued. “But you said—”

  “I said if I wasn’t so arrogant, I would offer my suite for you to crash in. But as you said, I’m arrogant.” I opened the door and hopped into my truck, starting it. She stood in front of it and wasn’t moving. I rolled down my window. “Are you going to get out of the way?”

  She nodded and stepped back before her face fell.

  I cursed under my breath. “Hop in,” I said, and tapped the outside of my door to urge her on.

  Fuck my life. She looked up with such a forlorn expression, I almost felt like an ass for not getting out and helping her in on the other side. That was before she spoke.

  “I shouldn’t.”

  It was cold as hell outside, and my truck took time to heat up. Having the window down wasn’t helping matters. “I guess it’s a good thing you’re here,” I said.

  “Why is that?” she moved closer.

  “When you get hypothermia, they may be able to bring you back to life.” I flashed her a grin just as light snow began to fall as if on cue.

  I inched the truck forward as she held up a hand. “Wait.”

  “Come on sweetheart. Either you’re coming or not... Don’t you have friends that live here whom you can couch surf with?”

  “I’m not even sure why I’m telling you this, but I’m a traveling nurse. This is my first day in town. So no, I don’t have any friends to couch surf at their place.”

  I cursed. Why couldn’t I drive away? “Then sounds to me like I’m your only option.”

  “I thought you weren’t offering?” she said, with a smug crook of her lips.

  “Yet you’re not letting me go either. I’d like to get to the hotel before the roads get bad. Make up your mind,” I prodded.

  �
��I don’t know you.”

  I held my hands up in the air—one inside and the other one outside the truck. “I don’t know you either.”

  “Okay, can I take your picture?” I sighed and she came over. She was a tiny thing and standing next to my truck we still weren’t eye to eye. She angled her phone’s camera up to get the both of us in a picture. She stepped back and took a picture of my truck. When she walked around front, I thought she was coming to the other side. Nope. She got a picture of the front license plate with me in the cab if I guessed right. Only then did she come back over to the driver’s side and said, “Can I see your driver’s license?”

  I probably should have told her to fuck off and drove away, but something had me reaching in my back pocket, and I pulled out my wallet. I held out for her to inspect.

  She rubbed her arms, and I knew she was freezing her ass off as she looked at it. Her jaw dropped. “You’re from Clinestown?”

  That was unexpected. My small town wasn’t known by many. “Yeah, why? Heard of it?”

  “No freaking way. I’m from Hart’s Falls.”

  We stared at each other another second. “Small world,” I muttered, trying to conjure my brain for any recollection of her. We could have gone to the same high school depending on where she lived in Hart’s Falls. But she didn’t look familiar.

  As if to prolong this, she asked, “Why are you doing this? Only a serial killer would offer a perfect stranger to share a hotel room.”

  I’d almost reached my limit of bullshit as I was doing her a favor. “You know where I’m from, people help other people out. My mother would kick my ass if I didn’t offer to help someone in need.”

  She shook her head, and I was that close to giving up. “What are the odds?”

  I didn’t answer because I’d already asked myself that very question. “It’s up to you. You can stay out here and freeze or you can go into the hospital and wait until you figure it out what you’re doing.”

  “Waiting inside isn’t an option. The last thing I need is for my new boss to find me sleeping in the waiting room…”

  That was it. I was done debating helping her. “I’m about five seconds away from leaving you here.”

  “Fine.” She didn’t get into the car. She brought out her phone and began typing on it.