I’ll make sure of it. That will be my new mission — aside from the usual one that includes squashing him.

There’s a soft knock on the door before Margot appears, carrying a tray full of appetisers and a coffee.

She puts them on the table and steps back, placing both hands over her stomach. She’s a plump woman in her mid-forties with soft features and a kind nature. Margot was never married and has no family so her entire focus is on work. “Dinner?”

“In an hour. We’ll have a guest.”

“For three?” she speaks with a slight Irish accent.

She’s been with us since Alicia was alive and was Levi and Aiden’s nanny. They certainly show her more affection than they would ever show me.

Which is fine.

Those two punks would never admit it, but it’s because of their upbringing that they are who they are today. King blood runs in their veins and they’re born to rule, not to be stomped on.

I ignore the coffee and take another sip of my cognac, letting the burn settle in. “For two.”

Margot throws a peculiar glance at Harris. He shrugs and focuses back on his tablet as if he were born with it attached to his hand.

“Do you fancy beef?” she asks me.

“I have no preferences, Margot. Just make it perfect.”

“Always.” She nods and retreats.

Am I doing this to impress Aurora? Probably. She needs to be impressed in order to be intimidated. They’re weaker and easier to handle when they’re put out of their element.

She seems to be the type who’s not easily threatened, which is fine by me. The process of subduing people is more thrilling than watching from the top. It’s what happens after their fall that bores me.

Harris slides his tablet into his leather briefcase and stands up. “I’ll be leaving as well.”

“You can have dinner here.” Since Levi moved out two years ago and Aiden followed a year after for university, Harris has most of his meals here. He also spends all-nighters sometimes. Needless to say, he has no life outside of work, which makes him efficient.

“I’ll have to decline, considering you’re having dinner for two. Last I checked, I’m not one of those two.”

“You’re being petty.”

“Me, sir?” He raises a sarcastic brow. “Never.”

“Leave.”

He smiles a little, but then his expression goes back to normal. “Sir?”

“Yes?”

He readjusts his glasses. “There are some rumours.”

“What type of rumours?” Harris does a lot of media play on my behalf, so he knows most rumours are lies. He even uses them for King Enterprises’ favour when needed, but if he mentioned it, there must be something behind it.

“In the juridical circle, there’s talk about granting Maxim Griffin a trial for parole.”

“I thought he wasn’t eligible for parole because of the nature of his crimes.”

“He’s not, but there’s a new psychotherapist on the line. Apparently, his lawyer is playing the mental health card. Or it could be new evidence.”

I plant my elbows on the table and lean forward. “Who knows about this?”

“The inner circle.”

“Your source?”

“Dr Lenin. The new psychotherapist works in his facility.”

That’s close enough to be chalked up to false rumours. Dr Lenin has no reason to lie to Harris, considering he gives him the best investments – on my behalf.

Since Aurora disappeared right after Maxim’s trial, I had to at least keep an eye on him in case she went to visit her father.

She didn’t. Not once.

Considering how she ended things with him, I’m not surprised. That woman has so much stubbornness in her, it sparks in her stormy eyes like waves. However, there’s a slightly broken quality to her, too. A vulnerability I’ve caught a glimpse of whenever Maxim’s name is mentioned.

“Keep me updated on that. And, Harris?”

“Yes, sir?”

“I need eyes on her.”

“Consider it done.” He nods again and leaves.

I rub my forefinger against my chin, contemplating where Maxim’s call for parole is coming from. Does it have to do with Aurora’s reappearance?

The image of her murky blue eyes returns to memory. The way she trembled in fear but still held her ground when I gripped her chin.

I’ve had grown men shake in front of me, yet Aurora didn’t shy away from giving me a piece of her mind. Even after she knew I had her and H&H by the throat.

Literally and figuratively.

If I choose to, I can blow her little company to irredeemable pieces.

I won’t, though.

At least, not until I have what I want from her.

I sip my cognac, letting the strong liquid burn my throat as I recall the slight twitch in those red lips while she stared up at me.

She held my gaze, I’ll give her that.

Now I’m tempted to see how far I can push her before she stops doing so.

I’m no saint. I’ve had my fair share of women after Alicia’s death, but each and every one of them were gone within the night. Harris made them all sign NDAs that ensure they’ll run the other way the moment they see me again.

This is the first time I’ll keep someone close. Not because I want her close, but because I’ll untangle her piece by each bloody piece.

Aurora Harper might be a carbon copy of my wife, but I’m beginning to see they’re nothing alike.

Clarissa – Aurora – was a wild child. She sang off tune and danced sporadically when she thought no one was watching, then hid behind Alicia’s wedding dress when people were around.

Something tells me she’s still the same. She’s hiding something, and as it happens, I’m good with riddles and wars.

Especially wars.

I stand up and stop by my glass chessboard on the coffee table. It has an unfinished game from when I played alone this morning.

Now that both Aiden and Levi are gone, I have no one to play with but myself. There’s Harris, but he’s too obsessed with his tablet to pay enough attention to chess.

Usually, I make one of my sides lose just so I can win afterwards.

Let’s say it’s a vicious cycle.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I retrieve it.

Aiden. Speak of the devil.

“Jonathan, finally.”

“Hello to you, too, son.”

“Forget about that. Why haven’t you been answering my calls?”

“One, you’re on your honeymoon on my island, and if I might add, you still didn’t thank me for it. Two, some of us have work to do.”

To say my relationship with my son is strained would probably be putting it lightly. He’s hated me since his mother’s death. Not that I mind. It’s his hatred for me that’s made him grow up into the man he is today.

While I do not approve of his taste in women, I have no doubt King Enterprises will be in good hands twenty or thirty years from now.

There’s a pause on the other end of the line before he speaks quietly. “Who is she?”

“Who is who?”

“You know exactly who I’m talking about. Who the fuck was that woman who looked like Alicia’s ghost? And don’t even try to tell me you don’t know everyone who appeared at the wedding.”