King of Depravity: Chapter 13

My face doesn’t feel any better when I wake up, in fact, it feels worse.

Swollen and tight, I head to the bathroom, assessing the damage in the light of day. It’s bad.

I touch my cheek and wince, but still manage to brush my teeth before a knock sounds on my front door.

I already know it’s Killian. It’s close to ten in the morning. Leaving the bathroom, I head to the door.

“Chloe?” he calls from the other side.

“Coming,” I answer, as I cross the room to unlock and unchain the door.

Killian stands on the steps holding coffee and a bag of something that smells like egg sandwiches.

They smell amazing. “No bacon and on a soft biscuit,” he says, holding up the bag. “In case chewing is difficult.”

I can’t help it, my eyes well up with tears, because… “I still haven’t eaten the soup you brought.”

“That was for when I thought you were sick,” he waves his hand, entering the apartment. He moves to the kitchen to set down my coffee when he points to the empty container. “I think one of your roommates got to the soup first anyway.”

How dare they eat my soup. I let out a cry of indignation that makes my face throb and I lift my hand to cover the offending cheek.

Killian pulls me close. “I’ll get you more soup. Promise.”

I shake my head and then rest my forehead on his shoulder. “Thank you for the food.”

“You’re welcome. Now, eat up, so we can get you to your interview.”

I grimace, which hurts. “I don’t think I should interview today. This is not a good look…”

“Trust me, it’s a great look.”

“What’s that mean?”

Killian runs his fingers down my spine. “Preston did the same thing to Arabella Kincaid. The Kincaids hate him and the fact that he hurt you…”

I lift my head again, my skin prickling right along with my irritation. “I don’t want to get the job just because Preston hurt me.”

“You’ll get the job because you’re the best,” he says giving me a little squeeze. “You’ll probably get better pay because of what Preston did.”

My mouth falls open. “But⁠—”

“Chloe, be all right with getting a little something back. You were hurt because of your connection with us. Take one favor for the same reason.”

It makes sense but I don’t like it. I’ve been lowering all sorts of walls with Killian, but I still don’t like the idea of getting perks from strange men. It rings all my alarms. Still, I slip out of Killian’s arms and pick up the coffee, the caffeine doing a good job of making me feel normal.

It’s not like I was winning at life doing things my way. I’m going to try listening to Killian by opening up and letting a few people help me.

I manage to eat half of my egg sandwich and then head to the shower. When I get out, Killian is lounging on my bed, a place he looks more and more comfortable, like he belongs there.

I’m getting comfortable too, I realize, as I drop my towel and pull out a pair of thong underwear. “What’s the uniform at Temptation?”

“I’m not sure,” he answers, with a shrug. “I don’t like places like that, too loud.”

I turn back to him as I pull on a bra, his eyes all over me, though he doesn’t get up. “Does that mean you won’t visit me at work anymore?”

“No. I’ll be there as often as I can.”

I smile at him, ignoring the pain. “All right then.” Killian somehow became the person who makes me feel safe.

I wear my tight black pants that I always wear to work and my heels, but I choose a deep red scoop-neck top instead of my black oxford.

I brush my hair until it shines, pulling it over one shoulder.

Killian comes to stand behind me just as I reach for my makeup bag to pull out my coverup. “Leave it,” he murmurs, covering my hand with his. “You look fucking gorgeous.”

“I look like shit.”

He gives me a wolfish grin in the mirror. “After your interview, I’m bringing you back to my place to show you just how sexy you are.”

I heat, my nipples puckering under my bra and showing through my shirt.

“In fact, why don’t you pack a bag?”

“Do I have time?” I glance at the clock, noting that it’s half past eleven.

“You’ve got time,” he says as he grabs my makeup bag for me. “What else do you need?”

In ten minutes, we’ve packed the essentials and we’re off to my interview. Killian must have gotten an Uber, because a car waits outside for us.

Now that I’m on my way, my stomach fills with butterflies. I draw in a tremulous breath and Killian reaches for my hand. “Don’t worry,” he says as he winks. “This is going to be the easiest interview you’ve ever been on.”

I shake my head, even as I catch the driver staring at me in the mirror. I really wish I’d put on that makeup. But I’m not going to start applying it now.

We arrive at the club ten minutes later, Killian helping me out of the car.

It’s noon on a Saturday, the club won’t open for hours, but I don’t have to wonder how we’re getting in.

As we approach the front doors, they open, and a tall, dark, and handsome man is standing in the opening to greet us.

“Chloe?” he says, giving me a smile. “I’m Leo Kincaid. Pleasure.”

I reach out and shake his hand and then he ushers us inside. “Thank you for agreeing to see me, Mr. Kincaid.”

He holds his hand out in invitation, to gesture for both Killian and me to walk down a hall to the left. We’re in the large entry of the club but to the right, I see the club floor, cages all along one wall. Each has a giant pole at its center.

Leo stops. “Cage dancers use them, and they raise and lower over the floor using a hydraulic system.”

“Wow,” I say as I imagine what it would be like to dance twenty-five feet in the air.

“It’s impressive and our dancers are some of the best in Vegas.” He points down the hall. “It will be a real asset to have someone on staff with an artist’s eye.”

I look over at Killian, my lips parted in surprise. He’s been talking me up. Which makes me emotional all over again. But Killian only places his hand at my back, escorting me down the hall.

We enter what must be the dancer’s locker room, but there are no dancers. Instead, it’s full of well-dressed men.

I recognize Triston and Gris. But there are others I don’t know. All stop to turn toward me and I my heart freezes for a moment in my chest.

I shift closer to Killian. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt me, would he? His hand spreads out on my back. “You remember my brother Gris?”

I give a quick jerk of my chin. “Nice to see you again.”

Gris steps forward. He’s married to Arabella, I remember that. “I’m sorry the circumstances aren’t better, Chloe, but I’m pleased to see you again as well.” He reaches out a hand to shake mine and it sincerely makes me feel more at ease. I shake his hand, even as he partially turns back to the other men, still holding my hand in his. “I’d like to introduce Mason Kincaid and Jake Kincaid.”

I barely keep from gasping. Mason Kincaid owns a tremendous amount of Las Vegas real estate. You can’t live in this city and not know his name.

He reaches out to shake my hand as well, Gris letting go and stepping back as Mason approaches. “I’m very pleased to meet you.”

I don’t know how to answer him. He can’t mean it. I’m nobody.

Letting go of my hand, he pulls a card from his pocket. I’ve been collecting a bunch of these, the past few days.

But while his name and number are beautifully typed on the front, the name on the back of the card isn’t Mason’s. My brow furrows.

“I’ve taken the liberty of making you an appointment with my personal real estate agent this afternoon.”

“I’m sorry?” I look at him, my confusion clearly written on my face.

Mason is the kind of man that exudes power. It rolls off him in waves. He looks to Killian, cocking his head. Is he asking Killian’s permission for something?

Killian pulls me into his side. “We’re all concerned that the Russians might try and hurt you again, now that they know you’re affiliated with us.”

My mouth drops open, my eyes going wide. I shake my head. “What does that have to do with a real estate agent?”

Mason gives me this polished smile. “I own several condo complexes that have available units and topnotch security. At least until all of our business is settled with the Russians, we’d like to make sure you’re not in danger.”

Are they moving me into an apartment? I shake my head, panic filling my chest. Tapping Killian’s ribs, I draw in an uneven breath. “Mr. Kincaid, please understand that I can’t⁠—”

“Chloe,” Killian rumbles, “You can’t stay in your apartment. It isn’t safe.”

I look at him then, the worry in my eyes surely on display. I don’t give men I don’t know, or men I do know, power over me. “You know how I feel about allowing…” I don’t finish, not wanting reveal too much.

His jaw hardens. “I know. I’ll find a solution that suits everyone.”

The air rushes from my lungs in relief. For a girl who doesn’t usually give men power, I’m being pretty liberal with what I’m allowing Killian.

But like I said, there is something so honest about him, I just don’t worry about his hidden agenda.

He nods to Mason and then leaves my side, with a final pat on my back, walking out of the room with Mason, Jake, and Triston all following him.

Leo and Gris remain in the locker room, however.

I tug at the hem of my shirt, smoothing the fabric as I straighten my shoulders. Mason’s offer rocked me a bit, but I’ve got to get into interview mode.

Leo smiles as he points to another door. “Would you like a tour of the club?”

I nod, even as Gris offers me his arm. Is he taking the tour too? I slip my hand into his elbow, as he leans close, “Leo is my new brother-in-law. Four brothers and four brothers-in-law,” he tells me with a chuckle. “It’s a lot of testosterone.”

I smile at that. “I bet.”

Leo rolls his eyes up at the ceiling before he leads us through the club, showing us, not just the dance floor, bar, and upper loading area for the cages, but he also takes us through the offices to his personal office. He moves around the desk, leaving the door open, as he gestures for Gris and me to sit on a loveseat against the wall.

I’ve never had a job interview like this one.

“So,” he asks. “What did you think of Temptation?”

“It’s gorgeous,” I reply, meaning it. “Thank you for even considering me for a position.”

“It’s my pleasure,” he waves his hand. “It’s nights and weekends, but you’re used to that, correct?”

“Absolutely. With my weekdays filled with classes, nights and weekends are great.”

“The position is forty to fifty hours a week, though twenty of them are on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”

I nod. I’d love hours like that. “Killian told me that the tips here are excellent. I can assure you that I’m both skilled and hardworking, I’ll do my best to serve Temptation’s customers⁠—”

Leo holds up a hand. “Triston gave you a personal recommendation already in terms of your skill as waitstaff, but I’m not looking for a server.”

My chin snaps back, confusion knitting my brow. “You’re not?”

“I need a floor manager. Starting salary is eighty thousand, hours are set, as I mentioned.”

“I…I beg your pardon?”

Gris lets out a small chuckle. “Chloe,” his voice is gentle.

I turn to him, growing even more confused. “Yes?”

“We really appreciate your discretion with both our brother Killian, and with all that’s happened with Preston and his associates. You could have acted very differently.” He smiles, looking exactly like Triston with his ease and polish. “Whether you continue to be associated with Killian or that relationship runs some natural course…”

I cannot get my feet under me today. “Natural course?”

“Leo and I want you to know that you have personal friends with the Smiths and the Kincaids.”

I shake my head, not able to speak. I’m working my way up to refusing. I don’t want favors from powerful men.

“Speak for yourself,” Leo rumbles. “I’ve been trying to hire a new floor manager for three months now. This isn’t a courtesy, I need someone used to navigating waitstaff and able to keep her head even when a situation becomes stressful.”

A small laugh bubbles from my lips. Because those were the words I needed to hear. “You’re not hiring me as a favor?”

“Hell, no,” he winks then. “It’s a tough job. I need a tough lady to do it right, and I think you’d be perfect.”

I nod. “Thank you, Mr. Kincaid.”

“Leo. Managers call me, Leo.” He stands again, reaching his hand over the desk. “Tell me you’re joining the Temptation family.”

I stand too, taking his hand. I can’t believe it, but I’m actually getting a break. A good job, more money than I ever imagined. “I’d be thrilled.”

“Welcome to the family,” he replies, with a firm shake.

Excitement bubbles in my chest. For the first time in a while, I feel like things are actually getting better and I am moving toward my goals.

That usually means my world is about to fall apart.