Reign of a Billionaire : A Dark Mafia Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

“I remember everything.” She held a pad in her hands, her pen moving over the page furiously. “What are you writing down?”

“Just notes.” As we sat on the terrace, the sun made its way up the clear blue sky. “I’m trying to ascertain the differences in your personalities, in your behaviors and interests.”

I scoffed, but still gave her as much as I could, and then it was one question after another, making my head spin and my ears buzz.

Until she lifted her head and shifted subjects as she said, “And you and Kingston⁠—”

“That’s Mr. Ashford to you,” I hissed. It was too early in the morning for this shit or for any woman to be anywhere near my… my Kingston. Yes, that sounded right. He was mine, and this lady better get lost. He was none of her concern. My turn for questions. “What are you doing here?” I snapped. “And how do you know about my twin?”

“Kingston—” I glowered and she cleared her throat, a small smile twitching on her lips. “Pardon, Mr. Ashford gave me some insight earlier.”

Why was he talking to this woman? She was too pretty for him not to notice. Then realization sunk in. I was jealous. The green-eyed monster bubbled in my chest, ready to eliminate any woman who could be a potential threat. But why? I wasn’t territorial.

“He had no right,” I grumbled, my jaw tensing. Why would he be telling a perfect stranger anything? We’d have to set some ground rules about that. “And you’ll forget everything he said.”

“Or what?” Jesus, was the woman actually challenging me? She had a death wish, I was certain of it.

I eyed the space around me, surveying any possible objects to use as weapons. There was nothing aside from silverware, a plate, and a porcelain cup. I sighed. The butter knife wouldn’t do; I’d tried to kill a man with it once. It didn’t work for me. A fork would have to do. Messy but necessary.

Just as I leaned forward, Kingston appeared, his attention locked on my hand.

“Sunshine, put that down,” Kingston ordered, and I narrowed my eyes on him. He better not be defending the beautiful doctor.

A muscle in my jaw twitched. We might’ve had an incredible night, but he sure was pissing me off this morning.

“Why is she here?” I growled, waving the fork in the air. “And why are you telling her my history? Our history.” The one I didn’t even remember. I couldn’t remember him as my and Louisa’s bodyguard, and it left me feeling like I was missing a limb. “I don’t like it, Kingston.”

“What hand did you use to grab the fork?”

My brows furrowed at the jarring change of subject. I wasn’t easily frazzled, but he managed it every single time.

My gaze lowered to find my left hand clutching the fork. “What does that⁠—”

“You used your left hand,” he said. “Which twin is left-handed?” My mind blanked. I could almost see my invisible, mental walls slamming into place. “What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?”

I shook my head, trying to clear my mind. I brought my free hand to my temple and cleared my throat.

The images of my mother breaking my wrist each time I used my left hand played in my mind like a distorted movie. That dull ache in my left wrist throbbed. Don’t break, my mind chanted on repeat. Don’t break. Don’t break.

“Can I make a recommendation?” Dr. Freud inserted herself.

“No,” I snapped.

“Go ahead.” Kingston really wasn’t earning any brownie points today.

“Hypnosis.”

“You’re not fucking with my mind.” I’d had enough of that shit to last me a lifetime.

She ignored me. “It’s just to unlock the barriers.”

“What fucking barriers are you talking about?” I glared at Kingston. “Why did you bring her here?”

He closed the distance between us and kneeled down. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” I’d been self-reliant for so long, I didn’t know how to trust anyone.

“What does your instinct tell you?” Dr. Freud interrupted, chiming in when she really shouldn’t. Although, I had to admit it was a valid question.

“Sunshine, you have to do this.” Kingston was relentless. “You know these memory gaps aren’t normal. Hypnosis could help.”

I shuddered, my chest suddenly heavy. “I don’t want to be at her mercy.”

“I won’t let her or anyone else hurt you,” he vowed. “I’ll be here with you, every step of the way.”

My gaze darted to the beautiful woman who waited patiently for us to make a decision. She was a stranger, a potential threat. But Kingston seemed to trust her, which made me trust her too.

“Don’t make me regret this,” I hissed. “Because I’ll end you without flinching.”

The corner of her lips lifted. “Duly noted.”

Inhaling a deep breath, I exhaled, slowing my heart rate. Or attempting to. “Okay, now what?”

Kingston stood up from his kneeling position and came to stand next to me, like a protective cloud.

“You’re going to relax and listen to my voice. Concentrate on one memory you had with your sister.” Closing my eyes, I followed her instructions, last night’s dream fleeting to the forefront of my mind. “Tell me what you see.”