Page 133 of Tormented Kings

I step forward, taking her face in mine. “I’m not going to,” I promise. “Never. There’s no one else for me but you.”

“I don’t get it. Your family is a lot more powerful than his. Maybe we should tell your mom. She could help.”

“No.” I shake my head.

“Collin, there’s power in names! The Killian name is far more superior than Jones.”

“What would she do? Get a restraining order on him? For what? He hasn’t done anything to warrant that. Words don’t work in this world, Sadie. Money talks, not mouths. And yes, my last name holds power, but yours doesn’t. That’s why he’s using you against me because he thinks he has nothing to lose by taking out the grounds keeper’s daughter.”

She starts to pace, not saying a word, while I’m losing it. I feel out of control. Nothing is going right. I might have a fuck ton of money, but even that won’t be enough to get me out of this one.

“I have an idea,” she offers, pausing to look up at me. “It’s crazy, so fucking crazy, and I think it might cause more drama than we already have, but it could work.”

“What? What is it?” At this point, I’m willing to try anything as long as I don’t have to marry that woman.

She licks her lips, stepping closer to me as she takes my hands in hers. “Do you trust me?”

Without hesitation, I growl out, “With my life.”

Epilogue

Preston

I don’t want to fucking be here. At least I don’t want to be here withher.

It’s the New Year's Eve masquerade ball. A big lavish party that’s held for the Elites for the midnight ball drop.

Before, I’d spend these parties drinking and fucking my way through the night.

This year, the only thing I want to do is be by Declan and Sadie’s side. But because my father is literally the fucking devil, I’m here with Tina.

“Preston,” she whines. “Dance with me.”

“Are you fucking stupid?” I snap. “We just got here. They haven’t even announced the couples yet.

“But I’m bored,” she huffs, sticking out her bottom lip.

I want to fucking rip it off and feed it to a fucking dog.

Every moment I have to spend near her sends me deeper into a dark place that I’m working so fucking hard to stay out of. If I go there, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get out.

I need to stay strong for Sadie and Declan. They deserve it. They’re worth it.

Yet, with every passing day, I can’t help but wonder if they would be better off if I was just gone from this world. It would solve a hell of a lot of their problems.

“Then go talk to your friends or something,” I mutter, heading straight for the bar.

“You better fucking dance with me tonight,” Tina hisses like a cat before storming away.

Only when she’s gone do I feel like I can finally breathe. I order my drink and down it in three mouthfuls. I’m going to need to be drunk if I’m going to get through this night.

Collin better have a fucking plan here soon, or I don’t think I’m going to last long enough.

Just as I’m drowning in my own self-pity, I see Declan, and my heart starts to race like a herd of wild horses.

He enters the room, looking painfully handsome in his black suit and red tie. Grayson is next to him, suit jacket open, but at least he has a shirt on underneath this time.

I head over to them. “Hey.” Declan’s eyes snap over to mine, and his cheeks turn pink as he smiles.