Ruthless King

“Yeah, Jilly. I do.”

He was so stone-faced that she couldn’t see him fitting in. But, oh well.

There was also a guard at the front of the house and one at the back. She didn’t know why that was necessary. It seemed like overkill.

But, Regent insisted.

She started setting everything up.

“Jilly! There’s a guy out here getting frisky with Scott and he’s about to explode.”

She rushed out into the hallway to see Dan and Scott getting the pat-down from Ryan. Another of Regent’s men.

“Ryan! They’re my friends!”

“Just following the rules,” Ryan replied as he let them past.

Scott scowled while Dan gave her a ‘what the fuck?’ look. She shrugged. This was going to take some explaining.

“You can pat me down all like, young man,” Mrs. Y said as she stepped up to the porch.

Ryan smiled at her. But still gave her a pat down.

“Sorry about that,” Jilly said as she led them into the kitchen.

“Don’t be sorry,” Mrs. Yards said. “Most fun I’ve had in years.” She set her knitting bag on the floor as she sat.

“What the fuck is going on?” Scott demanded. He was glaring at Henri. “Who is he?”

“This is Henri. My bodyguard.”

“What the hell? What is going on?” Dan asked.

“Sit down. Get a drink and I’ll tell you.”

She’d discussed with Regent what to tell them. He’d said to tell them that he had family money and a number of businesses. He’d said they might know who his family was but not to get into any discussions about it.

And to say nothing about Sasha.

So that’s what she did. She went through it all, including quitting her job and moving in with Regent.

“I don’t like this,” Scott said predictably.

“I think it’s romantic,” Dan said with a sigh. “He took care of her while she was ill. And she’s loved him most of her life.”

Scott grunted and glanced at Henri. “I’ve heard things about the Malones. Not good things.”

“I love him, Scott. And I won’t hear anyone say anything bad about him. I want us to be friends, so please don’t make me choose between you all.”

Dan scowled at Scott while Mrs. Yards continued to knit. “Well, I’m just glad the drought is broken. Did you make good use of my gifts, dear?”

“Um, well, actually, we did.”

Mrs. Yards grinned. “I knew you had it in you. I just wish Sasha was here. I never thought she’d steal a car and drive drunk. And to run over some poor man and kill him! What was his name?”

“Kenny Malcolm,” Dan said.

Regent had told her that the cops would use his real name. Which was just as well. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain to her friends how Sasha had run over her ex-boyfriend.