Page 122 of Lethal King

Something more personal. And more dangerous.

Something I can’t quite explain.

Fuck.

I called her Roz.

It just slipped out. I still don’t know why, but I’ve been trying to figure it out ever since I dragged her into the shower.

I’ve only ever heard two people call her that. Tytus and Gabriel. Her two adoptive brothers. They’re the closest thing she’s ever had to family.

But what am I to her?

The thought is too dangerous to contemplate. And so are the implications

I am not developing feelings for my enemy. I refuse to.

But when Rozalia clasps her hands together and looks down to the floor, my stone heart flickers.

How could something so corrupt suddenly look so innocent?

Is it the wet hair?

… Or the red marks I’ve left on her wrists…

No. It couldn’t be the latter. She’s already done the same thing to my throat.

So why do I feel like a monster?

“What the hell am I going to do with you?” I grumble out loud, gathering my own clothes.

For the most part, Rozalia hasn’t been returning my constant gaze. Ever since we got in the shower, she’s been trying to look away. But I catch her giving me a quick side glance as I slip my shirt back on.

“You could always let me go,” she snidely suggests.

A small bucket of relief pours over me at the snarky comment.

She’s not completely lost. The Black Cat I first became obsessed with is still there, burning away.

Still, it’s hard to say exactly how hot her fire is burning. There’s so much conflict raging behind those beautiful green eyes.

So, I decide to test her.

“You know I can’t do that.”

“You can do anything you want,” Rozalia says, turning her back on me. “You’re the almighty king, after all.”

“And you’re just an upstart street rat.”

My insult has the desired effect, and Rozalia quickly comes twisting back around.

“This ‘street rat’ has caused you more trouble than the rest of the underworld combined.”

I only nod. “And that’s why I can’t let you go.”

“You can,” she repeats. “You just don’t want to.”

“In my world, there’s no difference.”