Page 58 of King of Wrath
She lifts her head, tears shimmering in her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. “I hate myself for what I didn’t do for her. You shouldn’t marry me. I can’t be trusted. I?—”
I pull her on top of me, her body pressed all down the length of mine. “You should never have had to face him alone. Do you understand me? You were a little girl, and he was as big and bad as they come.” I hold her face in my hands. “You let me fight him from here on out, do you hear me, Nia? You let me be your weapon.”
More tears leak from her lids as she gives the tiniest nod.
“I could never rely on him. He was always the enemy…” she whispers. “Swear to me you’re not going to be my enemy too.”
Fuck. My heart twists as I look into the bottomless depth of those blue irises. But I’m ready. For the first time in my life, I’m ready to say the words and really mean them. “I promise you that I am here for you. That I will always protect you and not hurt you.”
She lays her head on my chest. “Don’t trust the Vendettis. Any of them. And the Carcettis aren’t much better. But my aunt’s kids, the Andrianis. They’re who you want to put in charge.”
I wrap her deep in my embrace. “Go to sleep, sweetheart. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
She falls asleep almost instantly, her body still on top of mine. Reaching down to the floor, I grab my pants without moving her and then pull out my phone.
There must be twenty, thirty messages. I scan them, then send a quick message.Everything is fine. False alarm.
Roman instantly answers.How do I know this is even you?
One side of my mouth turns down as I stare at the phone. They’re worried we were infiltrated.You’ve got a scar on your left ass cheek. I put it there.
Okay, that’s you.Roman sends the text but then three more bubbles appear.I still think it’s time for a face-to-face meeting. Things are getting really hot.
Normally, I’d be happy to see Roman. He’s always a voice of reason. But what’s happening between me and Nia is far mor personal than I ever intended and I’m not sure I can explain.
I don’t answer as I set the phone down and close my eyes.
It’s time for me to get some sleep. With a few hours under my belt, I’ll be able to fully form this plan. The one that helps my family and keeps Nia safe.
Because, choosing between them is not an option.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Nia
I wakeup still completely on top of Jake. It never occurred to me that a person might sleep on top of another person, but there is a lot about desire and intimacy I am learning.
I told him my deepest, darkest secret last night and my worst fear…
And here I am, still in his arms.
I knew I would lose this war, but I’m not even sure what I was fighting. Why was I fighting?
His strength is holding me up and taking my burdens one by one. I lay my head back down on his chest, my hair spilling over his collarbone and shoulder.
“You’re awake,” he rumbles, I feel it on my cheek.
“Sorry if I woke you.”
“Not at all,” he murmurs low, combing his fingers through my hair. “I’m glad you did. I like being up with you.”
“Who said anything about getting up,” I sigh rubbing my cheek through his chest hair. “I say we stay right here.”
He chuckles as he lifts my hand, now sporting a very large diamond, bringing my palm to his lips. “I like that plan.”
I look at the ring sparkling on my finger, my eyes going wide.
In the dark I had no idea it was so stunning. It’s ridiculously big and the sparkle is off the charts.