This Game Called Life (Kingdom Book 4)

MacKenzie wanted to say something to him that would remove the detached look from his eyes, but she couldn’t seem to find the words.

Placing a hand in the small of her back, Jake guided a still silent MacKenzie towards the door. When they reached the foot of the stairs, a charged silence had already developed between them. Removing his hand, Jake smiled down at her.

“Get some rest, Lovely, maybe you’ll see me in your dreams.” With that, Jake turned and walked away.





Chapter 22

When Jake returned to the family room, his brothers and father were there. Going directly to the bar, he poured himself a drink and tossed it back. He knew he was the center of attention but chose to ignore them for a few more seconds.

“Does anyone else want a drink?” Jake asked, his composure once again in place, as he looked around.

At their chorus of refusals, Jake poured himself another drink and swished the amber liquid around the glass. Throughout his interlude with MacKenzie, he had been pulled tight with tension. The thought that she might reject his proposal had tested his control.

What he had told her was the truth, Diana was dangerous. At the same time, Jake knew he could keep MacKenzie and her daughter safe without the ruse of an engagement. The truth was, he wanted her, and he intended to have her.

“What’s going on, Jake?” Jackson asked his eldest son.

Looking over at his father, Jake shrugged his wide shoulders. “MacKenzie and I are engaged.”

“What?!” Three voices echoed simultaneously.

“I’m not going to repeat myself, nor am I going to offer up an explanation. This is my decision, and all of you need to remember that.” Jake could sense their surprise, but he had said all he intended to on the subject. Although he was finished, it seemed his family were not.

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing, Jake?” Jackson asked.

“I’m sure.”

Now it was Jason’s turn, but in typical Jason fashion, he didn’t ask a question. “MacKenzie is Aviva’s friend, so you had better know what you’re doing. If you upset my wife because of this, I will kick your ass!”

“Understood.”

“I like your moves, man,” was Josh’s contribution to the conversation.

“Thank you,” was Jake’s reply. “Now that the subject of my engagement is over, Josh what did you find out?”

Their conversation confirmed Jake’s suspicions. Diana was back in the country. Although they hadn’t had time for any conclusive proof, Jake was certain Diana had a hand in what was going on with the women in their lives.

The night of his birthday dinner wouldn’t leave Jake’s mind. He hadn’t seen anyone, but he had been certain he and MacKenzie were being watched. With the knowledge of Diana’s proximity confirmed, Jake thought it prudent to inform the rest of his family about his feeling on that night.

They had planning to do, if they intended to catch Diana, and ultimately get her out of their lives. Jake made a mental note to speak to MacKenzie in the morning. He needed to find out whether anything out of the ordinary had happened to her.

Looking around at his family, Jake was assailed by feelings of sadness. Each and every one of the men gathered around him had suffered at the hands of Diana. It had to stop, but he didn’t know how to accomplish that feat. In his more reflective moments as a child and young adult, he had weaved stories of the beautiful Diana. The daydreams had centered on Diana having some form of epiphany whereby she realized her love and devotion for her family. Those moments of pensive musing only ever lasted minutes before being replaced with the reality of who and what Diana was.

They all knew Diana displayed all the symptoms of the archetypal sociopath. Everything she did was built on a web of lies in an attempt to always be in control.

Pushing the disquieting thoughts from his mind, Jake returned to the situation at hand. “Tomorrow, MacKenzie and I are going outside to meet with the reporters. We intend to notify them of our engagement. My statement will be succinct. I’m going to kick the ball back into the Ernestos’ side of the field–”

“Are you going to disclose what we know about Carlos?” Josh interrupted.

“There’s no need. Once they realize that I’m calling their bluff, questions are going to be asked. I’ll leave it up to Carlos and his family to deal with the fallout.”

“Hell, what I wouldn’t give to be there when the proverbial shit hits the fan,” Josh stated with a genuine laugh.

“Jason, what are you thinking?” Jackson asked his son, a look of curiosity on his face.

At their father’s question, all eyes turned to Jason.

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