His father hummed. “See to it that you don’t.”
And without another word, he left. Slamming the door to Pendragon behind him as he went. Leaving me stricken with fear against the wall when Kingston finally rounded the corner and found me there.
He clutched my face, breathing in my presence and the fact that we were safe as deeply as I did.
“Kingston…”
“I know, love.” His eyes pressed shut as his forehead rested on mine. “I’m so sorry.”
Chapter Twelve
Landon was sitting up against the headboard when Kingston and I walked back into Kingston’s bedroom.
I was surprised, but also very glad, he hadn’t left. He caught sight of our expressions and the smile on his face morphed into concern. “What happened?”
“My father stopped by.” Before Landon jumped to his feet, Kingston added, “He’s gone now. He just came by to do his usual.”
At the confusion on my face, Kingston stroked his thumb over the back of my hand.
“Whenever he can, he surprises me with a visit. Either by showing up on short notice or providing his next move and doing something entirely different. It’s meant to remind me I never know what he’ll do next.”
“Charming,” I muttered. “Well, maybe we should do the same to him.”
Kingston arched a brow. “What do you mean?”
An idea I’d been turning over in my head made its way out. “What if we lied?”
Kingston shook his head, and I conjured up the wealth of arguments that must be running through his mind.
“I’mofferingto do it, Kingston. What if we just told them I could invoke the statute? I mean, if we stick to the truth and Elaine’s family pulls out of the deal, youmarryher. I can’t end up with you, but be honest with me…is it even possible for me to be with one of them? Or both, if Max came around to that?”
“It wouldn’t be easy. Almost impossible. Even letting you leave together would come at a steep price.”
When he didn’t expand on that price, I swallowed. “Okay, so why can’t we lie? Remove the axe over our heads, and keep the playing field level.”
“Because when they found out, you’d be disqualified. It wouldn’t help in the end.”
“But how would they know?”
Kingston and Landon shared a grim look. “They’d know.”
When neither of them explained that, I opened my mouth to press for more details, but Kingston continued.
“And besides, you shouldn’thaveto lie, Quinn. You’ve done nothing wrong. Neither have any of the other Ladies who can’t do what Elaine did. Our hands are tied by old, misguided beliefs, and I don’t feel right going along with them to win. Especially since it wouldn’t work in the end. I can sway Elaine and her family to believe our match is in their best interest, over whatever deal they’ve made with the Valencourts.”
Landon’s head popped up, his eyes narrowing on Kingston and then the door. Kingston shook his head before turning back to me.
“If I can do that, then you just have to win. And if, in the end, I’m able to do what I set out to do, you’ll be free to choose whatever or whoever you want.”
His eyes fell on Landon again, and a flash of concern hit me. Last night was supposed to be mine and Kingston’s time alone. Ihadn’t explained why Landon had crashed it, so I corrected that. I needed them to know I wanted them both. Separately, and together, especially in light of everything that just came up.
“Iwantall of you. Together and alone. I should’ve mentioned it before, but you had a nightmare last night. I wasn’t sure what to do, and Landon heard, so he helped settle you. I wanted it to be our night together, but I asked him to stay. Just in case. I didn’t know how to help, and…I hope that’s okay.”
Kingston nodded to me and then stared at Landon for a moment before clearing his throat. “Thank you.”
“Of course. I’m glad I could help.” Landon glanced between us, releasing a breath as he returned Kingston’s stare. “I should go.”
Kingston tightened his grip on my hand.
