Ruthless King

There was no fixing that now.

20

Regent was heading home when his phone rang.

With a sigh, he saw it was Anne. He raised the barrier between himself and Jose in the car and answered the call. He lit a cigarette, holding the phone to his ear with his shoulder.

He didn’t smoke often, but when he was stressed the hit of tobacco calmed him down.

Victor was sitting beside him and turned to give him a querying look.

“Hello, Anne,” he said coolly.

“So you’re upset with me too. I knew it. I’m such a blabbermouth!”

His irritation eased at the clear distress in her voice.

“I’m not upset with you.”

“You are! And I can’t blame you. Jilly still isn’t answering my calls. Oh, I wish I hadn’t called in the first place. Always sticking my nose in where it doesn’t belong. Jilly and Frank tell me that all the time.”

“Anne,” he interrupted.

“Yes?”

“Was there something I can do for you?”

Victor was looking out the window, but Regent knew his brother would be taking in every word.

He rubbed at his forehead. He just wanted to get home and go to bed. Victor and Gracen were taking possession of their house tomorrow, and he’d promised Gracen he wouldn’t keep Victor out too late. It was already after ten.

Anne sighed. “No. No, there’s nothing. I just wanted to call and apologize. I realize that I hugely overstepped asking you to check on my Jilly. She’s just . . . her childhood was difficult in a way that you are one of the few people who would understand.”

“Then isn’t that reason enough to keep her away from me?” he asked stiffly.

Shouldn’t she want someone different for her daughter? Someone safer?

“I did want something different for her. Something normal. And yet, the men she has dated have all been normal men and not one of them has been worthy of my girl. She deserves someone who worships the ground she walks on. Someone who would lay down their life for her. Who realizes that she is precious and amazing. I just . . . I want that for her so badly.”

“I’m not that person, Anne.” He kept his voice stern. Calm. Controlled.

He needed her to realize that she wasn’t to do that again. No one manipulated Regent Montclair Malone and lived to tell the tale. She was just lucky that he held some affection for her.

“Right. Of course. I apologize again. I won’t take up any more of your time.”

“Oh, and Anne?” he said.

“Yes?”

“Jilly is an adult who doesn’t need you interfering in her life.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

“But I also know that she will forgive you soon.” He ended the call before Anne could say anything else.

“Anne is still bugging you about Jilly?” Victor asked.

“I wouldn’t say bugging me. She told Jilly she’d called and asked me to check on her. Jilly grew . . . upset.”