by Nina Levine
But for the rest of today, I was focused on myself and getting laid. I sent King a text to let him know tonight was on.
* * *
Me: Babysitter sorted. Let me know what time to come over.
King: Any time after seven.
* * *
I started to type out a sexy reply, but then deleted it. King didn’t seem like the kind of man who made time for sexting. I thought about it some more and decided to hell with it, he could just choose not to reply if he wasn’t into it.
* * *
Me: I can’t stop thinking about your hands around my neck.
* * *
He didn’t come straight back to me. It took him about five minutes, but I figured I hit the mark by the reply I got.
* * *
King: Fuck
Me: And I really liked your belt around my hands.
* * *
Again, five or so minutes passed before he texted back.
* * *
King: I’m in the middle of shit
* * *
I stared at the message, a little unsure of what he meant.
* * *
Me: And?
* * *
This time he didn’t text, he called and got straight to the point when he said, “I’m dealing with club business, and your texts are distracting as fuck.”
I grinned, loving that I’d stirred him up. “Are they getting you hard, King?”
“Fucking hell,” he muttered. “That’s a fucking understatement.”
“So I shouldn’t send you any more? Or what about a boob pic?”
“I have to go. Don’t send me any more shit. I’ll see you tonight.”
The call ended, and I sat on the chair watching my son having a great time while I grinned like a loon. Somewhere along the way, life had gotten really freaking good.
Sometimes in life, you didn’t see things coming. They blindsided you. I’d had a few of those moments in my life—when my father had walked out of it right before my twelfth birthday and the day I’d caught Linc cheating on me. Each of those times, my sister had been there for me. We’d got each other through the heartbreak of our father leaving, and then she’d gotten me through my break-up with Linc. We shared a connection I held dearer than almost anything in my life. With Brynn by my side, I felt like anything was achievable and any situation could be survived.
I had never imagined a life without Brynn.
Could never imagine it.
That afternoon, I was blindsided for the third time in my life.
Robbie and I arrived home from the science centre. His friend who lived next door waved at him as we pulled into the driveway, so he left me to go see him. I slung my bag over my shoulder and exited the garage into the house. Brynn’s car was parked in my garage, so I was surprised to find the house in silence. She usually blasted music while she cooked. Maybe she’d decided not to cook after all.
“Brynn, where are you?” I called out as I walked to the kitchen. “I have some goss to share with—” I came to an abrupt halt as I entered the kitchen.
Oh God.
No.
I was seeing things.
My heart raced as I stared at my sister lying on the floor with blood oozing out of her.
I screamed. I know I did, but I couldn’t hear it.
I scrambled to the floor to pull her into my arms.
I couldn’t think straight.
“Brynny, no!”
I sat with her head in my lap, clinging to her. Willing her to not die.
Gulping down breaths, I suddenly realised I should check for a pulse.
There was a pulse.
With shaky hands, I reached into my bag and pulled out my phone. Somehow I called 000 and got through the call.
“Brynn!” I cried out as if that would magically fix her.
My chest hurt.
I couldn’t do this.
I needed Brynn to get me through this.
I dialled King. It was instinctual. There was no thought process. Somehow I just knew he was my person. He would get me through this when my sister couldn’t.
He answered on the third ring. “What’s up?”
I gripped the phone hard and tried to talk, but the only sound that came was a wail.
“Lily, what?” he demanded. “What the fuck has happened?”
“It’s Brynn… She’s been shot. I need you.”
“Fuck. I’m on my way.”
I couldn’t breathe.
My heart was going to explode out of my chest.
My sister could not die.
I couldn’t do life without her.
Hurry, King.
I need you.
37
King
* * *
I paced the hospital corridor early Sunday morning, my mind working out how I would avenge the shooting of Lily’s sister. There was no doubt in my mind this was Romano’s doing. And that shit was on me. I hadn’t taken enough precautions to keep Lily and her family safe. I thought I had, but clearly I fucking hadn’t. Her sister wouldn’t be lying in a coma if I had.
Fuck.
I shoved my fingers through my hair and stopped pacing as I watched Lily walk my way. Empty eyes met mine, and I swallowed hard. Her arms circled me and she clung tightly as she sobbed. I held her for as long as she needed. I gave her that now because I wouldn’t be giving it to her later. This would be the end of the road for us. No fucking way was I putting another woman’s life at risk simply because she was in my life. Lily would never become a casualty of my war.
“Thank you for staying with me all night,” she said softly when she let me go. “I couldn’t have gotten through it without you.”
I nodded, but I had no words for her. Not when the only words that would be honest enough were—this is my fucking fault.
“I’m going to take Mum home. The doctor has given her something to help her sleep.” Another sob escaped her lips as her hand flew to her mouth. “I’ve never seen my mother so distraught.” Her eyes pleaded with mine for answers when she added, “It will kill her if she loses Brynn.”
I knew she wanted me to say everything was going to be okay, that Brynn would pull through and they’d go back to life as they knew it, but I couldn’t. That had never been my experience in life, and I wouldn’t lie to her just to make her feel better. Lies only helped in the short-term; they just made shit worse after that.
“I’ll take you home,” I said, needing to give her that before walking away from her. I’d already organised for some of my men to watch her mother’s house. Once I’d dealt with Romano, I’d be completely gone from her life, and she’d be safe again.
“Thank you.”
Forty minutes later, she glanced at the bikes outside her mum’s place as I pulled into the driveway. “Who’s here?”
I parked the car and looked at her. “I’ve put some of my guys here to watch over you.”
She frowned. “Do you think whoever did this will come back?”
I knew she thought it was a robbery gone wrong, and I would have liked to let her continue thinking that, but I couldn’t. She had to be prepared in case shit did go down again. “I don’t know, but they may. Hopefully it will get sorted, and the guys won’t be here long.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh my God, King. Are my kids safe?”
“Yes. These men are my best, Lily. Military trained. You’re safe.”
Her shoulders sagged. “Thank you,” she said before brushing a kiss over my lips. “I really would be lost without you right now.”
Fuck, I was a bastard. I wanted more of that kiss. It would be my last taste of her. Gripping the back of her neck, I pulled her mouth back to mine and kissed her for a long fucking time. It was rough and demanding, and she gave that to me even though her world had turned upside down. Even when she was struggling just to breathe, Lily gave. I didn’t deserve a woman as good as her in my life.
We woke her mother, and I got them both inside. Linc was there with the
kids, and I stayed out of his way. As little as I thought of him, Lily would need him, and I hoped to fuck he came through for her.
We got her mum into bed, and then I helped Lily shower and dress before settling her in bed, too. When I brushed a kiss across her forehead and stood, she frowned. “Are you leaving?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“Why?”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “I’ve got shit to take care of.”
“Oh, okay. Do you know what time you’ll be finished?”
“No.” It came out hard, but I couldn’t help that. I had to shut the fucking feelings I had for her down, and hard was the only way I knew how to do that.
She frowned again. “King, what’s going on?”
“I don’t have time to get into it. I have to go.”
She was silent for a beat. “Well, I’m going to head back to the hospital in a few hours. I’ll call you then and see where you are.”
“Don’t call me. I’ll be on my way to Melbourne.”
She sat up, her features filled with confusion. “I don’t understand what’s happening here. Why are you going to Melbourne? And when will I see you again?”
I took a step back at the same time I clamped ice down over my heart. When I answered her question, I let that ice coat my words. “You won’t see me again. This is over between us.” This has to be over between us.
I stalked out of the house without waiting for her response. By the time I reached the car, I’d switched to battle mode. The only thought in my head was that I had to obliterate Tony Romano’s operation. Something I should have done a lot fucking sooner.
“King!” Lily called out, running out to the car. “Wait!”
My jaw clenched as I opened the car door. “Go back inside, Lily. This isn’t up for negotiation.”
She stood on the other side of the door, staring at me with shock. “I don’t understand. Why?”
I ignored the tears streaming down her face. Refused to see them. I’m doing this for her. “Because you don’t belong in my world, and I don’t belong in yours. Now go the fuck back inside. We’re done.”
She flinched as if I’d punched her. And then she stared at me like she didn’t know who I was. Wrapping her arms around her body, she moved away from the car. She didn’t utter another word.
As fast as we’d begun, we were done.
And I was reminded once more that the journey through life was best taken alone.
* * *
Thank you for reading King’s Wrath!
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King’s Reign will be out on the 31st May.
* * *
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Bonus Scene 1
King
This scene takes place after Nitro’s Torment. You may have already read it from a Christmas bonus I wrote, but I’m including it in case you haven’t read it yet.
* * *
“You gonna fuck that one or can I have her tonight?” Jacko asked as my gaze trailed after the hot piece of ass I’d been watching all night.
My eyes cut to him. He sat opposite me on the couches in the middle of the clubhouse bar. He’d had a long day and he was fucking wasted. Lifting my beer to my mouth, I tipped it back and took a long slug. I then said, “You’d be lucky to get your dick hard enough to show her a good time, brother. But be my guest.” It wasn’t like we had a shortage of whores to choose from.
He frowned as he leant forward. “You got a piece on the side, King? It’s not like you to share like that.”
I scowled at him. “You want her, go fucking get her now, otherwise she’s off the table,” I barked.
He didn’t hesitate another second, leaving me alone. Fucking finally. I rubbed my neck as I tried to relax. Trouble was, I was hard as fucking rock. Had been for months. Usually, sex eased my tension, but even that wasn’t working lately.
Fuck.
I pushed up out of the couch and left the bar to head into my office. Being Christmas night, it was quiet at the clubhouse. Even at just after nine p.m. The few members around were either drunk or busy with pussy, which suited me because I craved some peace and fucking quiet after the rowdy day I’d been subjected to.
I found what I was looking for in the office fast, grabbed my shit and headed out to my bike. It was time Kree Stone and I had a talk.
* * *
***
* * *
“King,” Kree said breathlessly after she opened her front door to me.
My eyes dropped briefly to take in the tiny denim shorts and the loose-as-fuck white top she wore. The shorts revealed long thin tanned legs that went on for miles while the top hung so low I copped an eyeful of tits and a lacy pink bra, as well as a collarbone that revealed how thin she really was. Her hair was piled messily on top of her head and her face was bare of makeup. She was missing all the jewellery she usually wore at the clubhouse, which also meant she was missing the fucking jingle-jangle noise that followed her throughout the clubhouse.
Our eyes met and I caught the flash of irritation in hers. I wasn’t sure if it was because I’d come over so late on Christmas or whether she was pissed off that I’d checked her body out. Not that I gave a fuck either way. Taking a step towards her, I pushed my way inside her house. “We need to talk.”
Without waiting for her to speak, I walked down her hallway towards what I figured was her kitchen. The door clicked closed behind me, and she muttered softly, “Sure, come on in.”
When I reached her kitchen, I turned to face her, ignoring the glare she was sending my way. “Jesus, Kree, you’ll burn your fucking house down with all these candles.”
They lined her hallway on shelves higher than my head and filled her kitchen and dining area, too. As I glanced around the room taking them all in, I also noticed the plants she had lined up along the windowsill and scattered around the room. There had to be at least ten plants in there. I should have picked her for a fucking greenie, though, with the vibe she had going on. Kree was into herbs and crystals and talked in what felt like another language half the time with her discussions on star signs and moon phases and shit. Also, she’d been known to speak her mind occasionally, but usually she was too fucking soft as far as I was concerned. But fuck, she was the best damn bartender we’d ever had, so that was all that mattered to me.
“Haven’t yet,” she said, her voice firm. “What’s so urgent that you need to barge into my home at nearly ten on Christmas night?” The hint of fire I heard in her voice surprised me, but it shouldn’t have. With everything I knew about her, I knew she would go to the ends of the earth to protect her home and everyone in it. Someone forcing their way in—even someone she vaguely knew through work—wouldn’t be something she’d be comfortable with.
“I’ve been talking with Zane.” Her cousin.
She stiffened at that and blinked once, but full fucking points to her for maintaining her cool. “And?” Even her voice didn’t waver.
I reached into my pocket and pulled the envelope out that I’d brought with me. Dropping it on the kitchen table, I said, “He told me what’s going on.” Lifting my chin at the envelope, I said, “That’s for you, and I don’t want any of it back.”
Frowning, she picked up the envelope. It was when she looked inside it that her carefully maintained composure finally shattered. “Fuck, King,” she said as she looked from the envelope to me. “I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”
I scowled as she tried to hand it back to me. Shaking my head, I said, “No, it’s not. You need it. I don’t.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but a little voice carried through the air, calling out to her. “Mummy, I don’t feel so well.” A moment later, a boy entered the room, coming straight to her and wrapping his arms around her legs.
I knew his name to be Tommy, and his age to be four. I also knew his father to be a cunt who Tommy and his younger sister, Mara, needed protection from.
Kree crouched low and took Tommy’s face in her hands. Concern etched her face as she said, “Do you feel like you might vomit, baby?”
He nodded his head. His face was so white I figured she probably had less than a minute before he made good on that. She figured it, too. Scooping him up in her arms, she hurried out of the room with him, leaving me alone while trying to soothe him with love.
My fucking gut tightened at the image of mother and child.
Fuck.
I raked my fingers through my hair.
Fucking Christmas.
If I could wipe this fucking season off the calendar, I fucking would.
Ten minutes or so passed before Kree came back to me. Anguish covered her face. “I can’t accept that money, King.”
“Why?” I challenged her.
“It’s too much. There has to be at least five thousand in that envelope.”
