Page 40 of The King's Boy

Brandy let out a low whistle. "You're living the high life here, darling. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't know."

I probably should have. King reeked of wealth. He drove a fancy car, stayed in high-end hotels, and lived in a luxurious mansion with guards and servants. The evidence was all there. I had just ignored it until now.

Maybe ignored was the wrong word. I hadn't paid attention to it. My mind had been on other things. Many, many other things. The wealth I was surrounded with hadn't even piqued my interest.

Until now.

Damn, this was nice.

I could get used to living like this, but I doubted that would last for long. Money really didn't mean a lot to me. I had a healthy trust fund set up by my parents before they died. It had put me through medical school and then allowed me to travel when and where I wanted.

The thing was, I traveled with a single bag and couch surfed from friend to friend. Yes, I had access to my own funds, but I didn't tend to spend frivolously.

This place was frivolous.

Maybe not to everyone. Maybe just to me. I could do without the fancy digs and the servants, even the guards. I was perfectly capable of making my own tea and pastries, even if it was nice to have someone do it for me.

I waved my hand toward the table. "Shall we?"

No sense letting all Mrs. Anna's hard work go to waste.

"Don't mind if I do," Brandy replied before she bounced over to take a seat.

I sat down across from her and poured us both a cup of tea while Brandy placed pastries of different sorts on our plates. I doctored my tea with lime and honey and then took a small sip.

"Oh, this is good," Brandy said after taking her own sip. "I need to find out what kind of tea she used."

"I think it's some sort of black tea." It had a stronger flavor than oolong or green tea. I wasn't huge on tea because I pretty much main-lined coffee, but it had its place. It was nice especially when it was cold outside.

"It's good."

I nodded my agreement. "It is."

The pastries were better.

"So, what are you really doing here?"

Brandy raised one manicured eyebrow. "Can't I be worried about an old friend?"

"You know I can take care of myself."

"True, but..." Brandy sighed as she sat back in her chair. "Can you handle yourself with a mobster?"

"So far." I wasn't stupid enough to think I'd always get one over on King, especially considering how easily he had gotten me into bed last night, but I was hopeful I could at least hold my own.

"I am worried about you, Spencer," Brandy said with a serious tone in her voice. "These guys are nothing to mess around with. They play for keeps."

"Who says I'm playing?"

There went that eyebrow again.

I let out a little chuckle. "Okay, I'm playing, but King is so amusing. I can't help myself."

"He's a mafia boss, Spencer."

"I am aware."