“No, I just know this artist. A little. I have a friend who could talk about Karnth’s use of color theory all day.” There’s a twinge in my stomach as I think about Alex and how we haven’t really talked in weeks. He must be struggling with his grief.
“Well, that’s seems like a waste of a day spent with you. I’m Drake Farmington,” he introduces himself.
I take his offered hand reluctantly. “I’m Luna Pham.”And I wish to be left alone right now.
“So I heard Kingsley introduce you to Cal. I’ve never seen you here before.”
“Well, I’ve never been invited before.”
He doesn’t let go of my hand as he says, “That’s a damn shame. Think of all the time we’ve wasted.”
“Well, I don’t know about you, but I have plenty of time.”
He lets out a husky laugh. “Ah, only the young would say something so arrogant.”
“Iamyoung.”
His eyes travel the length of my body again, and this time it feels like it leaves a sticky residue. “So I see. So, tell me, Luna, what would the young say if I asked you if you’d like to join me for a nightcap?”
“She’d say that a man like you should know better,” Kingsley’s voice booms over us.
Drake finally drops my hand and steps back.
“Baxter, it’s been a while. How have you been doing?”
Kingsley’s eyes are ice cold, drained of his signature blue, and all that’s left is the glassiest of clear marble. Ignoring the other man’s questions, he gestures with his head toward the door. “Let’s go, Luna. It’s late.”
“Perhaps the lady would like to stay and finish the conversation, and I’ll make sure she gets home safe.”
“I wouldn’t trust you as far as I could throw you, Farmington. And I’d be happy to show you just how far that is whenever you’d like,” Kingsley says back, his voice as cold as his eyes. “Come on. The car is waiting out front.”
“Kings—”
“I said let’s go.”
Drake grabs my hand as I move past him, and he brings it to his lips. “Next time then, Miss Pham. Maybe when we won’t be interrupted.”
“If you want to have a home to go to tonight, Drake, I suggest you take your hands off Miss Pham. Or should I make a phone call to your wife and let her know what’s keeping you from coming home tonight?”
Drake drops my hand again and holds his hands up. “Was just trying to make conversation with the young lady, Baxter. Since you were doing such a good job at neglecting her. No need to get testy. You should’ve just mentioned that she’s yours. Maybe your grandfather should’ve taught you to share. You might like it…”
Kingsley grabs me around the waist and practically pushes me out of the club.
His chest heaves as he storms to the car, the air pulsing with a furious rhythm as he yanks the door open.
“Get in, Luna.”
“Kingsley, what—”
“I don’t want to talk. You can get in the car on your own, or I’m going to have to make you.”
Twenty-Two
Kingsley
It takes almost the whole ride home for me to get my emotions even remotely under control.
I try to tell myself that it had nothing to do with Luna and everything to do with that snake Drake Farmington practically grinding her into the wall in the club. If I’d known he was going to be there tonight, I would’ve warned her about him. Hell, I wouldn’t have taken her there in the first place.
