The Fearless King (The Kings #2)(32)

Frank couldn’t change people’s opinions, but he could damn well make sure he was too big of a fish to fuck with. If his father had the kind of power Frank wielded, he wouldn’t have been charged with murder for what was obviously an accidental death, much less convicted.

He wouldn’t have died in prison as a result.

Frank made an effort to unclench his hand. When he spoke, he kept his tone even and bored. “There’s one key difference between me and my father, Elliott.”

“Do tell.”

“If I killed someone, it wouldn’t be an accident—and the body would never be found.” He hung up.

Mateo poked his head out of his office. “I have José and Ethan on their way to her place. If she’s not there, they’ll head to Kingdom Corp, but I told them to keep a low profile.”

“Thanks.” Frank walked back into his office and shut the door behind him. Journey wasn’t going to thank him for the security detail, but he wasn’t taking any chances with her safety.

She picked up almost immediately. “Hello?”

“Where are you?”

“Just about to walk out my front door. Why?” Nothing in her tone to suggest fear or that she was in danger.

“I have two men who are going to keep an eye on you for the time being. The situation has changed, and until I know how things fall out, you’ll have a security detail on you whenever you aren’t with me.”

“What’s changed?”

“Your father has made it clear he will try to get you alone, and my men will ensure that doesn’t happen.”

A long pause, as if she was weighing whether to fight him on this. “Are you sure it’s necessary?”

“I wouldn’t have assigned them if I didn’t think it was.”

Finally, Journey sighed. “Text me their names and photos. They can’t come into Kingdom Corp for obvious reasons, but having a security detail makes sense.”

That, more than anything, said she knew the stakes of this situation better than he did. Frank hesitated. “Something you need to tell me, Duchess?”

“You can’t read my mind in addition to micromanaging every aspect of my life? Shocking.” Her laugh sounded forced. “Just…don’t underestimate my dad, Frank. He’s smart and really good at pushing people’s buttons to get what he wants. Be careful.”

“I’m not the one who’s going to be in the same building as him for most of this week.” He hated reminding her of that, hated her sharp intake of breath in response.

“You’re right. I’ll be careful, too. Talk to you later.” She cut off the call, leaving him fighting against the need to get back in his car and drive to her. To protect her.

Not part of the plan.

Nothing was going according to plan. He’d fully intended to keep his distance and operate like he always had. He hadn’t expected Journey to get under his skin so effectively in such a short time.

And he sure as hell hadn’t expected it to take more than a few hours’ search to get the dirt he needed on Elliott Bancroft. We’re missing something there.

He needed to find out what and to find out sooner, rather than later.

*



Journey had to give it to Frank—his men were good. After they introduced themselves and waited for her to verify their information, they melted into the foot traffic on the street as she walked to the office. She had no doubt they were close enough to deal with any potential threat that arose, but the one time she glanced over her shoulder, she hadn’t seen either of them.

She barely made it to her office when she got the call that Samara Mallick was headed her way. Journey had expected her friend to show up at some point after she heard the news that Elliott was back in town—Houston’s gossips would have the information by now—so she took a deep breath and tried to get her game face in place.

A few minutes later, the door flew open and Samara Mallick charged in. Her best friend shut and locked the door behind her, her black hair wild around her shoulders and a determined look in her dark eyes. “We’re going to talk.”

Journey held up her hands. “Whoa there, Turbo. You look like you’re about to whip a gun out of your thigh holster and start shooting.”

“If I see that piece of shit father of yours, I just might.” Samara strode over and took her shoulders, peering into her face. “He’s the reason you’re not sleeping, isn’t he? Damn it, Journey, you should have told me. I shouldn’t have had to hear from Frank that Elliott’s back in town.”

Frank told Samara?

They were so going to have words about that the next time she saw him.

She opened her mouth to tell Samara she was fine, but the lie wouldn’t come. She couldn’t tell the full truth, but her friend at least knew part of it. “Him showing up is doing a number on me.”

“I bet.” Samara guided her to the couch situated against the wall opposite her desk. “I know I don’t work here anymore, so you might not want to tell me, but—”

“He’s the main shareholder now.” It wasn’t a secret, exactly. If Beckett didn’t know already, he would soon enough.

“Shit,” she breathed. “I bet Lydia is ready to chew through bricks at the idea of Elliott Bancroft at the head of Kingdom Corp.”