Wicked Rule (Heartless Kingdom Book 1)

by K. I. Lynn

  They didn’t seem to either notice or care, I wasn’t sure which, that I was standing next to him. It seemed I was invisible to them.

  “It’s been many months, Atticus darling. I’ve missed you,” Bridget said seductively as she reached out and placed her hand on his chest.

  Antonia stepped forward and settled herself into his side, wrapping her arm around his waist. “It’s been too long since we’ve spent time together.”

  I stiffened next to him as I watched them drape themselves over my fiancé. These were the women I compared myself to. The ones that were his acquaintances with benefits. The women that graced his arm when he needed it and tended to his cock when he wanted it.

  Atticus shifted, his hand wrapping around Antonia’s arm, pushing her from him before doing the same to Bridget. He stepped back and wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into his side.

  “Didn’t you read the papers? I’m engaged.”

  Both sets of eyes dialed in on me, and I straightened my spine.

  “Her? Atticus, baby, you can’t be serious.”

  “Very serious,” he said. His tone was like ice, and both women stared at him in shock.

  They seemed completely confused that he was pushing them away both literally and figuratively.

  Antonia’s lip quivered, her jaw tight. “After everything, you chose a nobody over me?”

  “You suck cock very well, Antonia, but I need more than a human vacuum that will take it up the ass.”

  Antonia’s mouth dropped open, her body shaking, looking like she was ready to slap him, but something held her back. Then again, I supposed hitting a de Loughrey was not a wise idea, no matter how distasteful his comment was.

  “I’ve known you since I was twelve,” Bridget screeched. “We’ve been sleeping together for a decade, and some waitress gets the ring? The help?”

  The aura coming off Atticus grew even colder and darker. I couldn’t decide if it scared me or turned me on, but it was strong.

  “I made neither of you a single promise. You both knew the stakes. I told you both, multiple times, that I didn’t want a relationship with you. I kept you around for events and to warm my cock. Our relationship was nothing more than an exchange of goods and service. Nothing more.”

  The indignation that boiled up in both of them was entertaining to watch. Basically referring to them as high-class whores. For a moment I thought at least one of them would explode, but with the cold glare Atticus was giving them, neither woman seemed inclined to incur his wrath. It was ice and it froze them in place.

  “You did your job, but my wife will fulfill my needs from now on.”

  My heart thumped hard when he called me his wife. I knew that was what was going to happen, it was the deal we made, but the way he said it made me swoon. If I was just a contract, he would have been more accommodating to them, but the way he shut them down and laid claim to me left no room for hope.

  Somehow, I felt vindicated. All of the buried insecurities involving them was brushed away. He removed them with his firm words and dark aura.

  With a squeeze to my hip we pulled away, leaving them wallowing in their misery together.

  “Wife, huh?”

  His eyes were dark when they met mine. “Fiancée doesn’t sound as resolute. Wife is sound.”

  “Your father doesn’t think so. A wedding ring doesn’t stop people from cheating.”

  He stopped and turned me to him. “I don’t cheat.”

  “You wanted to have mistresses.”

  His gaze narrowed on me. “That was when you didn’t want me to touch you, and I wanted you to relent.”

  Wait… “So, you tried to threaten me with them in order to get me to forget my clause?”

  “Yes, but it backfired.”

  I couldn’t decide if I wanted to slap him or kiss him. He didn’t care about them, only me, even when he made me think he’d stay with them.

  “You’ve never talked to them since the contract, have you?”

  “And months before that. I was consumed by another woman. One that was stubborn and strong willed.”

  It wasn’t until he revealed how long it had been since he’d even had contact with them that I realized I’d assumed he’d slept with one of them before we signed. That jealousy had been sitting so close to the surface over women I didn’t even know. Was it because of the binder? That I saw their names within the pages, giving them some sort of significance, some permanence, in his life?

  “You’ve burned all bridges with them. I don’t think they’ll take you back in five years,” I said as I berated myself for the passive-aggressive comment. While he erected a steel wall with his words, there was still that doubt.

  I knew why.

  I just wasn’t ready to admit it.

  He tilted my chin back, his eyes dark as they locked onto mine. “I don’t want them. Not today, not in five years.”

  “What do you want?” I asked in a whisper.

  “What are you fishing for, Ophelia?”

  I blinked and swallowed, backing up. My insecurity was the cause of my timid questioning. Atticus was direct, and he expected everyone else to be direct as well, even if I didn’t feel he was being the most direct at that moment.

  I tried to calm my racing heart as I formed words for the heaviness in my chest. There was only one thing I wanted to know. “Will you want me in five years?”

  The magnetism between us kicked up a hundredfold and my breath sped up as he pulled me until we were chest to chest. No words passed as he cupped my face, his finger deftly sliding down my neck, resting on my collarbone before sliding down to my shoulder.

  The fire in his eyes died down to a smolder as he released me. “We should get to our table.”

  Disappointment shot through me and I swallowed, looking down as I turned from him. I had to blink back a tear. For a moment I’d been so sure he was going to say yes, but it was fleeting.

  Still, I knew he had difficulty with expressing his emotions, even with the progress he’d made. My own realizations only highlighted that I was the same. I’d been protecting myself from him for over a year, and suddenly I was laid bare before him, my chest open, heart beating, begging for a connection.

  With each step, I stuffed my emotions down, released my insecurities as his voice rang in my head: “Spine straight, shoulders back.” I was chosen to be his wife above all others. That knowledge brought strength, and I exuded it, refusing to falter again.

  We drew closer to the tables, Atticus greeting many people as we went. It amazed me how he knew everyone’s name. Occasionally that professional smile, the one that didn’t reach his eyes, popped up, but it was all a polite mask for the sake of business—it wasn’t real.

  A real smile was special, reserved, and precious.

  And all mine.

  “You must be Ophelia. It’s a pleasure to meet you, dear,” an older woman with a kind smile said.

  I returned her smile, realizing I’d spaced out at her name. “Thank you so much. The pleasure is all mine.”

  She looked to Atticus with a smile. “She’s so sweet. However did you manage such a fine creature?”

  “The words that wish to pass my lips are not suited for your delicate ears, Miriam.”

  A blush spread across her cheeks. “Oh, my.”

  He gave a nod. “Have a good evening,” he said, leaving the poor old woman to stare at us.

  “What perverted thoughts did you put into her mind?” I asked once we were clear of her.

  He smirked at me. “Only whatever her imagination conjured.”

  Laughter cascaded from a few feet away, a sound I was very familiar with.

  “Oh, fuck,” I hissed low.

  “What is it?”

  Jennifer.

  It’d been months since I’d run into her while shopping, but after years of friendship, I’d recognize that sound anywhere. Suddenly her brown eyes lifted. The shock when she recognized me was unmistakable. She pulled at her fiancé
Luthor’s hand, their skin in contrast.

  “Well, hey, Ophelia, how are you doing?” Luthor asked with a big, genuine smile.

  I returned his friendliness, remembering why I liked him more than the woman on his arm. “Very well. How’s the season going?”

  He nodded and opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off.

  “Ophelia, I’m so surprised to see you here. Are you working?” Jennifer asked.

  My teeth clenched together, but I had to keep my cool. Come on, didn’t she even look at me, or was I just so inferior to her that she refused to acknowledge anything about me.

  I put on my best de Loughrey fraudulent smile. “No. I’m not waitressing anymore.”

  “What are you doing, then?” she asked as she scanned my attire, her eyes widening. “Is that a Givenchy?”

  I looked down, smoothing the dress, then met her eyes. “I’m honestly not sure.”

  “You were wearing a Givenchy t-shirt the other day, so it’s entirely possible,” Atticus said, his hand squeezing my waist.

  That small gesture was more reassuring than any words ever could be.

  “Oh, yeah,” I said, remembering the T-shirt I’d been wearing. It was such a basic white that I didn’t think anything about the name printed across the fabric.

  “A Givenchy T-shirt costs hundreds of dollars. Where did you get that kind of money?” she seethed. Luthor leaned back from his fiancée, shock written in the furrow of his brow as he stared at her.

  I turned to Atticus. “Hundreds for a T-shirt?”

  He gave a small shrug. “The shopping bill was a few hundred thousand. I just paid it.”

  Before I could question him more, Jennifer grabbed my hand, pulling it to her. “Oh, my God.” She turned my ring in the light. “Is this real?”

  Atticus scoffed. “For nearly a million dollars, it would be an impressive fake.”

  Jennifer’s eyes were wide, and for the first time she seemed to notice the man beside me who was throwing out enormous numbers. Which was odd for him. Atticus didn’t talk about the cost of anything, except Genevieve’s allowance, so the only thing I could think of was that he was doing it for my benefit.

  “I told you I didn’t want to know how much it cost!” I cried out, trying to forget what he just said about The Rock.

  He shrugged, and that calculating gaze was locked on Jennifer. Her face was frozen. That was when I understood why. He saw Jennifer for what she really was, and he wanted to destroy her like any other foe that attacked me.

  He was standing up for me, beside me, ready to set fire and lay waste to anyone. The wicked king was at play, and he wouldn’t let anyone hurt his queen in any way.

  “This has to be at least six carats,” Jennifer said, her hand shaking against mine.

  “Nine-carat cushion cut,” Atticus clarified.

  Jennifer’s jaw clenched. “What the hell is going on, Ophelia?”

  Her anger was amusing. The fire in her eyes showed me that our friendship was only of convenience. She liked feeling that she was better than me. I was beneath her. On my birthday that fateful night, she probably decided she didn’t want to associate with me, and that was why she didn’t come.

  I should have thanked her for that, because her dismissal of me was an opening for Atticus to approach me. Without that, we might not have spent that night together, leading us to where we were now.

  “I’m sorry, I forgot to introduce you to my fiancé.” By the way she was acting, I had to wonder if she was so self-absorbed she didn’t see the news or any of the announcements. Then again, even if she did, it was possible she didn’t notice or recognize me. She probably never thought of me except when she needed to feel better about herself.

  Atticus held out his hand. “Atticus de Loughrey. Pleasure, Miss…”

  Jennifer paled, her eyes wide as she stared at him in disbelief, then gaped back at me.

  Luthor took his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. de Loughrey. Or should I just call you boss?” he asked with a chuckle then turned to me. “Small world, huh?”

  “How so?” I asked.

  “Your fiancé owns the team I play for.”

  Atticus smiled back. “You’re very talented, Luthor, and I’m excited to see what you’ll do for us for a full season.”

  A groan left me. “You own the team?”

  A chuckle left him, and he leaned in. “Read the binder, Ophelia.”

  I turned, our lips ghosting. “I have, my dear. There’s just a lot of information to remember.”

  A high-pitched screech broke through our friendly conversation, and we all stopped to stare at Jennifer, as did anyone within a fifteen-foot radius.

  Her eyes were wide, and anger twisted her features as she shook with fists clenched.

  “I can’t believe you would use such underhanded means to get a man. Are you that good of a fuck?”

  “Jennifer…” Luthor trailed off.

  “No!” she screeched. “It’s not supposed to be this way.” She glared at me, teeth bared while tears filled her eyes. “You’re nothing but a—”

  “That’s enough,” Atticus said. The volume was the same, but the power backing his words shut her down quickly. “You seem to be under the impression Ophelia cheated her way into my life by using unscrupulous persuasion.”

  “How else?” Jennifer seethed.

  Atticus stepped forward and leaned in, a smirk on his lips. “That wicked deed belongs solely to me. I am the one who used everything at my disposal to make her mine. I don’t take kindly to those who try to belittle my precious flower.”

  Jennifer was shaking with anger, and by Luthor’s wide eyes, he’d never seen his fiancée in such an ugly state. She may have been gorgeous on the outside, but inside was a very different matter. With a tight expression and pursed lips, she turned away and stomped off.

  “I’m sorry about all this, Mr. de Loughrey. Ophelia,” Luthor said before turning and following after her.

  “You were a bit brutal there,” I said as we took our seats.

  “Are you saying she didn’t deserve to be put into her place? I could read the writing on the wall, Ophelia. She thought she was better than you because you were a waitress.”

  “You think you’re better than everyone.”

  “Because I am, that doesn’t mean I treat those below me with blatant disrespect because of an unearned ego.”

  “You do have an ego.” I couldn’t say much about the disrespect part, because for the most part, he was very respectful of those who worked for him. Sure, he was hard and harsh to deal with, but I’d seen him with Jack and Loreno and Holly, not to mention countless other staff. He was a demanding boss, but there was no revolving door of personal employees. There was a loyalty to him that was only earned through respect.

  “But not an unearned one.”

  “Why do you have to be so devilishly handsome, incredibly rich, and have a big cock?”

  He chuckled. “Simply blessed.”

  An hour later, dinner had been concluded and the presentation had been conducted. All that was left was the silent auction and more socializing. The social aspect had worn off, and I found myself at the silent auction display.

  My head spun at the collection of items I could never even think of bidding on. Being part of the de Loughreys meant anything was within my grasp, but it was something I had never really utilized myself. Up for bid were a wide assortment of trips, antiques, and fragile-looking things.

  “See anything interesting?” a familiar voice said.

  I jumped at the closeness, my hand flying to my chest as I turned. “You scared me, Gen.”

  She giggled at that. “Sorry, it was too easy.”

  She appeared more refined than her normal party-girl attitude, and I wondered if it wasn’t a de Loughrey decree that she actually followed.

  “I didn’t know you would be here.”

  She glanced around the room. “Yeah, but with so many people, it’s impossible to see everyone. But I did
catch a glimpse of you two earlier. You look so happy with him. Way different from last time.”

  I paused as I pondered her words. Happy? Actually, I was. The night had been wonderful in so many different ways, and I felt closer to Atticus than I had when the night began.

  “I am.”

  “Except for the damn folio.”

  I blanched and stared at her. “He didn’t.”

  “Oh yes, he fucking did.”

  I shook my head, and we both began to laugh.

  “What has you two so amused over here?”

  I waved my hand in front of my face in an attempt to dry the tears. “Nothing. It’s nothing at all.”

  “Hmm.” He pulled me back into his chest and stepped away. “Genevieve.”

  “Atticus.”

  “I’m taking my fiancée home.”

  “Bed her well.”

  We both froze and stared at her.

  “What? It’s obvious you two are finally sleeping together.”

  Heat rose in my cheeks, and I looked away.

  “We will see you another time,” Atticus said as he spun me around so that my face was buried in his chest. “Goodnight.”

  The evening was not what I expected it to be. Boring, mind numbingly so, with rich assholes flaunting their wealth. And while there were some of those, one evening opened my eyes to so much about my fiancé. If I hadn’t already been falling in love with him, I would have been now.

  Fears of his ex-lovers were buried, catty ex-friends were humbled, de Loughreys were nicer, and my connection with Atticus had grown stronger. We were a true couple throughout the night. His hands rarely left my body, and when they did, moments later I was soothed by his touch again.

  At first I thought he was simply trying to calm my nerves, but halfway through, I realized it was also me calming him.

  The tension in the air was thick as we rode the elevator up to the penthouse. After a night of affection, we were on opposite sides of the elevator. Not out of anger, but out of something else that was crawling and swirling around us. Something strong. A force that was pulling us closer together, and if we collided, the explosion would be earth shattering.