Page 30 of Lethal King

Before I can plunge too deeply into those dark fantasies, a new set of heavy footsteps comes barreling into the room.

“Sir, the premise is clear. There’s no sign of any more intruders. We seem to have chased them all off.”

I immediately recognize the voice. Ian McQuade. One of the men who was supposed to be in charge of security for today’s event. He doesn’t sound nearly as fucking devastated as he should be.

Shit, I swear I even detect a tinge of pride in his voice—like chasing off those two hyenas was such a big accomplishment.

Doesn’t he know how badly he’s fucked up?

“There were only two—” I bark, whipping around. But as I do, something on the shelf catches my eye. It’s just the faintest glint, but it’s enough to turn my attention away from the man in the doorway.

“Give me your update. I’ll pass it on,” Maksim tells McQuade, sparing me. Together, the two men disappear back into the hallway.

I wait until I’m alone again, then I reach for the suspicious glimmer. At first, I don’t feel anything—just smooth wood. Then, the tip of my bloody finger brushes over a subtle bump. I click down.

The wood cracks and splinters. Slowly but surely, a metal tick appears. I dig it out of the wall and hold it to the light.

“How the hell did you get in here?” I mumble under my breath.

My lips twist into a snarl.

There are only two possible answers to that question, and neither of them bode well for me.

Treachery or incompetence.

Fucking hell.

Some king I am. I haven’t even been crowned yet, and my reign is already falling apart. If I want to survive this mess, I’ll have to do something seriously drastic.

“Find anything interesting?”

When I turn around, Maksim is there again. Over his shoulder, I can see Mel talking to McQuade. She’s clearly trying to describe her painting to him. But finding that giant canvas is the least of my worries.

“Nothing I didn’t already know was there,” I tell my consigliere. “Gather the men outside. Tell the guests to stay.

“Understood,” Maksim nods. “What are you going to do?”

Keeping the silver tick tucked tightly beneath my fist, I turn back towards the doorway. Blood drips from my knuckles. And my hair. And from every inch of my drenched suit.

Yet all of that blood pales in comparison to the blood raging through my veins. My forearms flex. Every last muscle in my body clenches.

My cock is rock hard.

Fuck. It’s so swollen I’m worried it might leak. I can still smell her. That spicy burning rose. It’s driving me crazy.

It needs to be taken care of. Everything does.

“I’m going to have a fucking shower,” I announce. “Then, I’m going to come back downstairs and do what I should have done long ago.”

“What’s that?” Maksim asks.

“Take control.”

You should have left me alone while you had the chance, kitten.

Now, there’s no going back.

You’re mine.