Wilt and Ruin

Chapter Seventeen - The Simmering Devil (King)

Though I wanted to confront my father, I allowed Runn to talk me into sleeping in. He cuddled into my chest as a way to keep me in bed and I willingly allowed myself to be bribed. Though I didn't tell him what Tao had reported to me, I allowed myself to forget about it and enjoy his closeness.

Eventually, I managed to peel myself from his arms to shower. Then while he was doing the same, I dressed and called my connection in Dubai. He owned one of the country's most luxurious hotel chains.

"You're calling in a favour for a maid?" Harold asked. "What's really going on?"

I sighed.

"I need her protected." I carried the phone out to the balcony and looked out at the view.

I'd have to have this entire conversation in English. Harold Pettigrew didn't speak a word of Thai.

"Plus." I continued. "The raise will help her help her son."

"All right." Harold replied. "You know I got your back. I'll set things in motion, and don't worry, she'll be safe. Does this have anything to do with your father? Do I need to bring out the big guns?"

"Yes and not yet." I shoved the fingers of my free hand into my pocket. "Right now, I'm just taking precaution."

"You let me know if you need anything." Harold told me. "And I'll let you know once we make contact."

"Thank you."

With that conversation over, I went back into the bedroom in time pack away my laptop before Runn exited the bathroom with a towel over his head. I wanted to help him with drying his hair but one of the servants knocked to let us know breakfast was ready.

I didn't know why she didn't call.

Nodding, she left us alone and I made the bed while Runn dried his hair enough so he could put his shirt on. When re reported to breakfast, Pa wasn't there. Mae waited until we were both seated across from her before she began putting food into our plates.

We ate, barely speaking. And in the end, I reached for Runn's hand under the table and squeezed.

"Gimme a second alone with my mother." Implored him.

Runn hesitated--I saw it in his eyes.

"I'll be fine." I promised him.

Runn glanced over at my mother then back at me. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"I won't go far." Runn promised. "If you need me—"

"I'll call."

"You promise?" Runn asked.

I was tempted to kiss him then. His concern impressed me and melted my heart. But I wasn't sure how my mother would take me kissing a man in front of her.

Nodding, I smiled.

"I won't go far." Runn repeated.

When I nodded, he squeezed my hand again and exited the room, reluctantly.

"Is it that bad that your boyfriend is concerned with leaving you alone with me?" Mae asked.

I gasped. "He's not my boyfriend."

"I'm not stupid, King." She tsked. "He looks at you the way I've given up on wanting your father to look at me. He protects you like your father never protected me. And when you were going through your—I followed to see if you were okay and you allowed him to comfort you in ways you never let me."

I sighed and drained the rest of coffee from my mug. Picking up a glass jar of orange juice, I filled my cup and exhaled a breath I didn't know I'd been holding.