Page 115 of Merciless Heir

“Because you fear for me? Yourself? Or are you worried all your Sadie plans will go south with this reveal?”

She taps her fingers against one elegant hip. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t give me that crap. Are you trying to set me up with Sadie?”

“She’s perfect, Kingston.”

“Not your business.”

She glares at me. “My children’s happiness is my business. And you’re talking about having her father locked away. So, I ask again, is it wise?”

“Did you miss the memo? I’m a grown ass man. And yes, it’s wise. He’d fuck her over and whoever else he could get his hands on.”

“Kingston.”

“Don’t.” I’m on my feet fast and I point at her with my glass. “Her father is a lowlife.”

“And Sadie’s father. So you want her.”

“Don’t twist my words. I did this for pragmatic reasons.”

She looks heavenward. “This should be good.”

“Mother.” I glare. “Sadie’s smart and tough, but she’s also vulnerable and he’s her father. So I did it so she didn’t have to.” I pause and take her in. “Why are you smiling?”

“Because you and Sadie—”

“There’s no us. We’re not a thing and we won’t be.”

My mother’s smile disappears. “Don’t lie to me, I’m your mother. You have feelings. I can see that.”

“Says the lying, manipulative woman.” Of course I have feelings. I’m human. I don’t say this, though. She’s going to take that and run with it if I do, and I’m already at the end of my rope. “I don’t like you doing that to me. And I don’t like her lying for you. She gave you away in the end.”

She frowns. “What are you on about?”

“You own the fucking company. You’re behind this. And Sadie…” I shake my head, giving over to fury because it’s safer than that thing inside me that threatens to shatter. And what I put together from Sadie’s words is all true. It’s there on my mother’s face. So I push some more. I want fucking answers. “She lied. To me. Used me. I know she worked for you.”

“Kingston, with an attitude like that…”

“What? There is no me and Sadie, except in your head. And she said the same, didn’t she?”

I don’t know what I want, but the affirmative answer somehow isn’t it.

My mother, however, isn’t one to give up easily. “She gave me back the money.”

“So?” I smile tightly. “She took the tiara.”

“You idiot. She gave it to me. I suspect to stop that man getting it, because I think she was trying to protect you from him. You two are so alike.” She picks her leather Chanel bag up from the seat next to her and opens it. Then she hands the tiara to me. “Sit down, Kingston.”

“No, I think I’ll stand.”

“Sit.”

I mutter nasty things but sit.

“I made it look like it was stolen. Because I wanted you to learn your lesson.”

“And what is that?” I know I sound like a bored prick, but inside it hurts because Sadie is gone.