Ruthless King

So did Regent. “I can take Basilien and Jose instead.”

Victor narrowed his gaze. “No, you won’t.”

He knew that would be Victor’s reply.

“Our guy on the inside said that so far, Santé is a better man than his uncle ever was,” Regent told him. “The girls are a lot happier than they were before Carlos was . . . disposed of.”

Victor grunted. He didn’t sound convinced. Regent wasn’t entirely convinced either. He’d met Santé once several months ago, soon after he’d taken over from his uncle.

On the surface, he’d said and done the right things.

But that didn’t mean he trusted him.

There was a knock on the door and Maxim got up to open it.

“Hey, sorry to interrupt, but the boys are ready to go. They’ve eaten all the cookies in the kitchen and they’re climbing off the walls. Pretty sure Gerald is about to take off after them with a frying pan.” Carrick grinned at the thought.

“Coming.” Jardin wrapped his arm around the other man. “Let me know if you need anything, Regent. Or find out anything.”

About Patrick, he meant.

He nodded. It would be easier to sit back and wait for something to happen. But that way would lead to disaster.

Regent knew that sometimes it paid to take care of things yourself.

Regent satbehind his desk the next night. The house was quiet. Victor and Gracen were out on a date night.

Regent never thought he’d see Victor go on a date night.

Soon they’d be gone and it would be just him and Gerald.

He shook his head at his thoughts. It was for the best. The quiet would allow him to focus.

His phone rang and he peered down at the name displayed. A spike of worry filled him.

Why would Anne be calling him? He hadn’t talked to her since . . . well, since she’d taken off traveling with her new boyfriend in their RV.

Had something happened to Jilly? Anne had informed him that Jilly would be moving into the house while Anne was away. Regent wasn’t sure when they’d be back—if ever.

This new guy was definitely an improvement on her husband, Orlando Crane. He’d been Regent’s father’s right-hand man and a complete and utter bastard.

“Hello, Anne, is everything all right?” he asked.

“Regent, hello. I hope you don’t mind me calling like this.”

“Of course not.” He had a soft spot for the older woman. She’d always been kind to him. Even though he knew that her life hadn’t been that easy. “What can I do for you? Are you all right?”

“Who, me? Yes, I’m fine.” She gave a tinkly sounding laugh. Strange, he didn’t think he’d ever heard her laugh like that before. She sounded so carefree.

He wondered what that would be like. To give up everything and just travel around the country with your significant other.

He would likely be bored after a day.

“I’m calling about Jilly.”

“Jilly? What’s wrong with Jilly?” She’d seemed fine when he’d seen her. Of course, that had been well over a year ago.

She’d looked so beautiful. He hadn’t had much time to admire her, though she’d filled out in all the right places.