“K-Kim? Is she in danger?”
“Not yet.”
“Not yet?”
“I know how much she means to you.” He sighs. “I’ll make sure she’s safe.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Hear her side of the story first.” He strokes my hair back. “And then we’ll talk, okay?”
I nod slowly. As much as I want Aiden to tell me everything, Kim is my best friend. I need to hear what the hell is wrong from her.
Aiden retrieves the plate of the cut apples and places it in front of me. He’s back to sulking, but he still feeds me the slices.
I try to tell him that I can use my hands, but he’s not listening.
I take a bite and munch on it slowly. I study his profile as I eat. The strong jawline, the metal eyes and the dark strands I’m itching to ruffle up.
He’s mine.
All mine.
The thought fills me with a strange type of empowerment.
This boy who told me he’d destroy me is now my number one protector and carer. He would do anything to make me happy.
Turns out his plan with Agnus was about the Rhodes deal. Aiden and Dad’s right hand somehow convinced Tristan Rhodes he could get better results if he hired both King Enterprises and Steel Corporation in their respective field – King for imports and exports, Steel for copper and their mass productions.
Jonathan and Dad, ex-friends and rivals, are now partners.
This deal brought a certain type of peace to their strained relationship. I don’t have to worry about Jonathan anymore either.
Levi told me about the threat Aiden made against Jonathan. If he comes near me or interferes in our relationship again, Aiden will leave him without an heir.
I never wanted Aiden to go against his father, but the fact that he’s doing it for me makes me feel all fuzzy inside.
“Are you still mad about earlier?” I ask after the third bite.
“Hmm. So you knew I was mad.”
Oops.
He removes the hospital table and lowers himself atop of me. Before I can blink, Aiden grabs both my wrists and pins them onto the pillow over my head. “Was it fun, sweetheart?”
“Maybe.” I bite my lower lip, my heart hammering so loud, I’m sure he can hear it.
This side of Aiden is my addiction and my damnation.
I love his intensity and his madness.
I’m in love with his dark mind and twisted soul.
“Looks like I need to remind you who you belong to. Isn’t that right?”
I remain motionless, excitement and thrill filling me to the core.
His free hand caresses my bottom lip. “Answer me.”
“Yes.”
And then his lips claim mine.
Epilogue – Aiden
Three months later
Negative energy humsunder the surface. It mounts and soars with every second. The loud music and drunk people at Astor’s place aren’t helping.
Knight passes me a joint, but I shake my head.
Fuck this shit.
I’m pissed off.
And I know exactly why I’m pissed off.
Tonight was a semi-final game and Elsa came to watch and stayed through the entire thing. Yes, she finally came to one of my games. This time, it was for me and not for some other fucker.
To top it off, she wore my T-shirt. Number eleven, King. I had to stop myself from flying off to the stairs, remove that shirt and fuck her on the spot.
All the annoying people present put a halt to my fantasy.
Instead, I gave it my all during the game. I might have scored two goals to see that spark in her blue eyes.
Unlike common belief, I’m a giver. I just take more than I give.
Now, back to tonight’s actual problem. Elsa and I were supposed to go to the Meet Up where I could worship her body all night.
I had plans that started with her moaning and end with her screaming my name.
See? A giver.
Last minute, Elsa decided she wants to come to Astor’s fucking party. I told him to cancel it, but the twat disappeared somewhere to drink and fuck — probably at the same time.
I’m stuck here with a grumpy Knight who’s been smoking more weed than a hippie and groaning like a divorced old man thinking about pensions.
Nash vanished. He’s been disappearing without notice a lot lately.
Elsa is nowhere to be seen.
I pull my phone and read our last conversation.
Elsa:Wait for me at Ronan’s party.
Aiden:No.
Elsa:Come on. Do it for me?
Aiden:Still a no.
Elsa:Please?
Aiden:I’m fucking you all the way to Sunday at the Meet up. You don’t get to change your mind.
Elsa:I didn’t change my mind. You get to fuck me all the way to Sunday and more if you wait at Ronan’s house.
That’s the text that convinced me.
I shouldn’t blame Nash for thinking with his dick when I do the same sometimes.
Okay, most of the time.
Elsa sent that text more than an hour ago, but she’s still not here.
Van Doren is in the middle of the floor, dancing and flirting with all the girls he can see.
His goth sister is tucked in the corner, almost blending with a plant. If the Marquis de Sade and Snow White had a spawn, it’d be her.
Usually, Elsa would be with them. If she’s not, only one other person remains.
I nudge Knight with my elbow. “Where’s Reed?”
“Fuck if I care.”
“I didn’t ask if you cared, I asked where she is.” I hold up a hand. “And don’t even pretend that you don’t know where she is at all times.”
He gives me one look over. “Even if I knew I wouldn’t tell you. How about that, King?”
The little bitch.
I’m about to strangle the answer out of him when my phone vibrates.
Elsa:Remember our room in Ronan’s place?
I don’t even have to think about which room she’s referring to. There’s only one room in Astor’s mansion that’s completely ours.
“Hey, Knight?”
“What?” He grumbles from his seat next to me. He’s been sitting there like a zombie for the past hour.
“Do you know what Reed said about you the other day?”
His eyes spark for the first time tonight. Sorry fuck.
He masks his reaction all too soon, though. “I don’t care.”
“Are you sure? It was kind of taboo.”
His Adam’s apple bobs with a swallow. When he speaks, his voice is quiet. “What did she say?”
“Even if I knew, I wouldn’t tell you. How about that, Knight?”
I grin, walking away. I can feel him flipping me off even without having to turn around.
Taking the steps two at a time, I find myself on the second floor. The music from downstairs eventually fades.
My muscles tighten at the promise of finding Elsa. I haven’t touched her since yesterday and something feels off.
I take back my thoughts about the possibility of getting enough of Elsa. It won’t happen. Not in this lifetime.
My fucker friends tell me I’m too possessive. I ignore their comments in front of Elsa, but I mess with their lives any chance I get behind her back.