Page 105 of Just My Luck

“Many people tell me many things in this town. I have to apologize for not letting on earlier, but I know about theheartache you and my son are enduring.” He exhaled a heavy sigh. “Now, I have to admit, when he paraded you in here the first time, I thought you were both lying to me. However, I have come to realize that you do care a great deal for my son—and he for you. Which is why I want you to know that you no longer need to worry about your ex-husband meddling with our family.”

I looked at him. “Sir?”

A slick grin spread across his face. He liked that I called himsir, and it made my stomach bunch.

Above all else, Russell King craved power.

He scoffed. “No one contends with a King and wins, my dear.”

I swallowed hard. My mind flipped across dangerous whisperings of Abel’s mother and Jared’s disappearance.

My eyes went wide. Russell took note of my fear, and his laugh rang out as his meaty palm patted my hand. “No need to be frightened. I simply want to reassure you that the problem has been silenced indefinitely.”

Why was he telling me this? What could he possibly gain from me knowing that he was responsible for something happening to Jared?

Blood drained from my face. “If my children ever ask about visiting their father...”

His icy eyes bore into me. “That is not an option, my dear.”

I blinked up at him, trying to buy some time so I could figure out what the hell to do, my heart rate spiking. “Thank you, sir.”

He laughed, sinking back into his chair and winking. “Now there’s a woman who knows her place. Abel sure picked a good one.”

I looked down at the simple silver band on my finger.

Abel’s mother.

I sucked in a breath and infused sweetness into my voice. “I’m surprised a man as benevolent and charming as yourself never remarried.”

“Ah.” His eyes glittered over my fawning. “I, like you, have not always had the best fortune in relationships.”

“Like Abel’s mother,” I offered innocently.

“Precisely. I tried for years to give her everything, and it was never enough.” His voice held wistful memories. “You aren’t the only person in this family who’s needed a problem to go away. I assure you, those are two inconveniences that won’t ever be found.” A twitch near his eye nearly gave him away. I was certain he hadn’t meant for that last bit to slip out, but he smiled to recover. “But we can keep that little tidbit between us. Is that a deal, my dear?”

Any deal with Russell King was a deal with the devil.

Abel’s words rattled around my brain.

“Of course.” I glanced at my watch as my brain screamed for an escape. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I need to get the kids soon.” I rose and he stood beside me. “Thank you—for everything.”

He walked me to the front door but stopped before opening it. His hand gripped my shoulder. “There’s safety in knowing your place. Don’t forget that.”

My lips formed a flat smile. “I won’t. Thank you, sir.”

Pacified, Russell released his grip, and I moved as quickly as my feet could carry me without running down the front steps and across the front lawn to my car.

I raised my hand in farewell and shut myself inside the safety of my car before watching Russell enclose himself inside his fortress.

A guttural exhale filled my car. My hands shook as I started the vehicle and backed out of the driveway.

One thing I knew for certain:

Russell King disappeared my ex-husband... just like he’d done with Abel’s mother.

THIRTY-EIGHT

ABEL