Page 18 of King of Liars

“Firstthey ignore you, thenthey laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” Whoever said that might have been onto something there.

Sy beamed. “Are you ready to be honest with yourself? Are you ready to join us? Come on, Boss. Become one of my knights, and you can have so much more than my ass for an evening.”

He trailed his forefinger along my jawline, pushing his thumb against my cheek. His touch was electric, sparking life in me as it always managed to.

“We can all escape the world for just a moment,” he continued. “The fleeting highs we experience when we’re inside each other can offer us a moment of peace. Give yourself to us, and we can share so much.”

That’s when it fucking hit me—he’d never planned to give me his ass unless I joined his knights. Fucking bastard.

“Is that it? Is that what you were planning all along?” I rolled my eyes and stood. I figured Sy would be surprised or annoyed by my defiance, but his expression didn’t waver.

He continued looking into my eyes. “Planning?”

“Yeah, you lead me on, keep dragging this shit out, and then trick me into being one of your brainwashed crew. No thank you.”

I started to turn when I felt his hand on my shoulder. My feet froze in place. Whether I liked it or not, I was no longer confused about why these guys stuck around.

Sy was special…different…and he fascinated the hell out of me, surely as much as he had with the rest of the guys.

“Is that what you believe? No, Boss. I withheld this ass because I knew keeping it from you was what you really wanted.”

“Bullshit.”

“It’s true, though, isn’t it? Those things that are kept at a distance, that taunt us for some time, are cherished that much more when we finally get a taste. But as a sign of good faith, I will give you what you really want tonight. I’ll give you that and more without you needing to pledge allegiance to me like that. But…only tonight. After, you must decide if you want to join us or if you’ll leave it behind.”

I relaxed. At least I’d have a chance to have the very thing that had me coming back again and again.

Maybe he hadn’t tried to trick me as much as I’d believed.

Maybe he wasn’t all that wrong about what I was finding myself starting to want.

I chased the thought away.

Sy added, “Come on. Let’s head into the bedroom.”

I should leave.

But I knew I wouldn’t.

7

Two

Oh, Boss had underestimated King.

We all had…at first. Perhaps that’s how King had gotten into my head to begin with.

He had a talent for reading people, understanding them on a deeper level. It was almost a magical ability, and even though my logic informed me that it had to be simply nonverbal clues, something he could read better than most, I couldn’t help but imagine some mystical element to it all. Because my life with my King had been full of magic and wonder.

He hadn’t been wrong about calling me a liar when I met him. I had been lying to myself for so long, about what I wanted, about who I was. Each day we spent together, I learned more about myself, including in that particular instance when he ordered me to bottom for Boss.

It wasn’t just Boss who was having to experience things for the first time, and while it was initially uncomfortable, Boss knew what he was doing, made sure to take his time and care with my hole, and it was something that made me respect him. Especially since I hadn’t been much more than a prick to him since we met.

Mainly because I couldn’t figure out what the hell King saw in that asshole.

And maybe, partly, because I felt more for King than I could admit, considering the rules. The rules I’d signed on to as a knight. The rules Boss would have to become familiar with if he was to ever really join our crew.

King led Boss, followed by the knights, into the master bedroom.