Page 77 of King of Kings

“I love you too,” I say, and I mean it.

She leans in, kissing me again, and her phone rings between us. I don’t miss the way she stiffens.

“I better get that,” she says, reluctantly getting off my lap. “It’s my mom.”

“Take it. I think she has some things to say to you,” I say.

She grabs her phone, walking out of the room.

I lean back in my chair, rubbing my hand over my face. I’m trying to think of the best way to approach my dad now that I know what my plan is.

I think the first thing I need to do is call Kai and Kane to the house and fill them in on everything. It doesn’t seem right to go through with all of this without letting them know what’s going on.

After a couple of phone calls, I lean back in my chair and wait. Both of them are available now and on their way.

“Were you going to keep me in the loop at all?” Kinsley asks, peeking her head inside my office.

I feel the dread in my stomach. Just thinking about filling my sister in on all the dirty deeds of my dad makes me feel sick, but she does have a right to know.

“I’m sorry, Kins,” I say, my shoulders sagging.

“It’s okay. I’m used to being underestimated and treated unfairly,” she says, sitting in the seat Sophia was in just a few moments ago.

“Don’t be like that, Kins. It’s truly hard for me to remember you’re an adult now. I’m still trying to shield you from so much,” I admit.

“I get it, Knox. I really do,” she says, putting her hand over mine.

A few minutes of silence pass before I hear the door downstairs.

“We’re up here!” I yell.

Kane and Kai walk in together, looking back and forth between Kinsley and me, concerned.

“Is everything okay?” Kane asks.

“It will be. Take a seat,” I say, motioning towards the couch near the wall.

After they sit, I immediately let it all out. I tell them everything I know. I tell them about Sophia, her parents, her past. I tell them about the things my dad is doing in his business. I don’t leave anything out.

They’re all too shocked to interrupt.

“I thought the secrets I was keeping were bad,” Kai says when I’m finished.

“What’s the plan?” Kane asks, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees.

“This is something I want to do on my own. I just didn’t feel right diving in without filling the three of you in,” I say.

“I don’t like the idea of you taking him on by yourself,” Kai says.

“I know, but I’ve been his right-hand man for so long… it makes sense,” I say.

“We want you to know we support you, but we don’t agree with you taking it all on alone,” Kane says, with Kinsley and Kai agreeing with him.

“I wouldn’t expect you to, you’re my family,” I say, leaning back against the chair.

“How’s Sophia?” Kane asks.

“She’s getting better every day,” Sophia says, peeking her head inside.