God of Ruin (Legacy of Gods, #4)(117)

But first, I need to figure out what exactly he knows and why the hell Mia trusts the sleazy fucker enough to tell him about that part of her past.

“What were you guys talking about?” Rai asks while placing the tray of tea and biscuits in front of him.

“Mr. Hunter was just telling me you make great tea and I must admit, I’m curious to find out.”

I narrow my eyes on him, but he continues to smile at my wife, who tells him that’s a major exaggeration on my part.

We sit down for tea again, but despite my deep-rooted Britishness, that’s not my focus at all. I keep watching for telltales to expose the twat and reveal his true face.

That mission proves to be increasingly hard when he keeps saying all the right words and gives Rai the perfect answers to all her questions.

He’s as skilled at lying as trained spies, but then again, maybe he isn’t, in fact, lying but rather good at mixing the truth with the right words, depending on the audience.

But what actually takes me aback is Mia’s talkativeness. She signs a lot and tells the epic story of the survivors Claudia, Stephan, and Emilia, the flowers who are living their best lives due to her and Landon’s care.

“Wait.” She turns to him. “Who’s taking care of them if you and I are here?”

“I gave Bran the keys and specifically told him that I might revoke brotherly rights if something happens to your precious flowers.”

She hits his shoulder. “You’re so mean to him. You better appreciate him more.”

“Yes, Mom.” He salutes.

Mia tries and fails miserably in hiding her smile.

“Who’s Bran?” Mom asks.

“My twin brother.” Landon scrolls through his phone and then shows it to my wife. “We’re identical, as you can see from the picture. I’m, however, fifteen minutes older and definitely claimed the elder brother position.”

“Oh my. You and Mia are both part of identical twins.”

“I know, right? I never believed in fate, but this small detail might very well change my mind.”

Maya stops herself before she rolls her eyes. Her gaze meets mine and she mouths, “He’s so full of shit.”

I know, baby girl. I know so well.

After some time of being stuck in the happy-go-lucky conversation and witnessing a different side of Mia that I thought was long dead, I excuse myself.

I retreat to my home office on the other side of the house and close the door behind me.

The lake extends in the distance as I stand by the tall window and scroll through my contacts.

I find the name I’m looking for and tap it.

He picks up after a few rings. “Jonathan King speaking. Who is this?”

“Kyle Hunter. Remember me, Jonathan?”

A pause stretches between us, then he says in the same tone, “Yes. I was wondering when you were going to cash in on your favor.”

“Now.”

“What do you have in mind? Stock? Discounted investment in my empire? A certain property you have your eyes on?”

“None of the above. I told you at the time you used my services that I have no interest in money whatsoever.”

“What do you want, then?”

“Your grandson a few continents away from my daughter.”

Another pause. “Which grandson?”

“Which one is the worst headache?”

“It’s a tough competition between my two eldest Eli and Landon.”

“It’s the latter.”

“Ah.”

“That’s all you have to say? Your unruly grandson has his eyes on my daughter and I need you to keep him away.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

“You’re his grandfather. You can force him.”

“Unless I’m God, I can’t force him to do anything.”

“We agreed on a favor, Jonathan.”

“And I’m keeping my part of the deal. Asking for the sun is more doable than demanding I keep Lan on a leash. He doesn’t react well to any form of authority, so take my advice and let him sort it out with your daughter instead. Any interference on your part will only backfire and make your case a lot worse.”

The door of my office opens and I track my wife’s movements as she stops by the entrance.

“Thanks for nothing,” I tell Jonathan. “I’ll be in touch.”

“Hopefully not as in-laws,” he says and hangs up.

Was that amusement in his tone?

He’s as much of a bastard as his grandson.

My wife walks up to me, looking more beautiful every day. It’s been over twenty-seven years since I met her, but she still looks as breathtaking as when I first laid eyes on her.

Elegant, majestic, and brutally demanding of my attention.

This woman hasn’t only changed my perspective about life from feeling unwanted to accomplished, but she’s also been by my side through everything.

The good, the bad, and the disgustingly ugly.

We don’t only love each other, we literally complete one another in ways I find hard to describe.

“Am I interrupting?” she asks.

I wrap an arm around the small of her back and pull her flush against me, then kiss the top of her head. “You’re never interrupting, princess.”