Page 92 of Red King

It’s also a stark reminder of what our relationship is and what it isn’t.

“You’re not going to believe this,” Cathy says, taking another sip of her champagne; her eyes are glinting. “He was responsible for the death of Arctic’s wife.”

My mouth falls open.

“He organized a hit on Arctic. He wanted the crown for himself. Anyway, his wife ended up taking the bullets instead of Arctic, who was only shot once and obviously not fatally.” Cathy is talking quickly. “They only found out a few months ago that Ice was involved in the whole thing. How awful is that?”

My gaze goes back to Arctic. No wonder he’s so damned hurt. No wonder he’s still grieving Anya. Why he’s so broken. It was his own flesh and blood who caused the death of his mate. It’s almost inconceivable to me.

Being a king isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

“Anyway,” Cathy goes on, “the beheading is tomorrow.” She shivers and pulls a face. “Sounds awful. All the shifters are going to watch.” She makes a gagging noise. “I couldn’t think of anything worse. So that’s why we need to keep the picnic scheduled for Saturday, but we could move it to Sunday or Monday if…”

She keeps talking, but all I can think about is Arctic. I feel terrible for him. I can’t even begin to imagine what he must be going through. I just wish he would have confided in me. Actually, he probably would have if we hadn’t been interrupted.

I’ll talk to him when he comes by later.

I look at the message I received from him not so long ago.

Wear a robe with nothing underneath. You better not have touched yourself, Paisley!

24

Arctic

I climb in through the window, closing it behind me. Then I close the blinds and turn. Paisley is in a thin silk robe. Her nipples are begging me to suck on them. Her hair is still wet from the shower. I don’t think she’s been home for too long. I rushed over here as soon as I could. I’m fucking desperate for this female. It was a long afternoon and an even longer evening.

All I wanted was to go over to Paisley. To talk to her. To touch her.

“Hi,” she says.

“Hi, Paisley.” My voice is thick with need. I pull both my hoodie and my shirt over my head in one move and then pick her up in my arms.

She makes a little startled noise and giggles.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” I growl as I carry her to the bedroom, tossing her gently onto the bed, which rocks under her weight.

She looks unsure.

I kneel on the mattress, and it dips beneath me. “Is everything okay?”

She leans up and cups my face with her hand in a show of affection that feels…wrong.

“I should be asking you that question.” Her eyes are filled with concern.

Fuck!She heard about Ice. Of course she knows about him. By now, they all do. I had somehow hoped that Paisley wouldn’t find out until after he was gone. I don’t know why it bugs me that she knows, only that it does.

“I’m absolutely fine.” My jaw tightens. My whole body tightens. “It’s not a big deal.” I shrug.

“Itisa big deal, and you can’t be fine,” she says. “He’s your brother, Arctic.”

I take her hand off my face, hold it for a second, and then drop it. “I swear, I’m absolutely fine.”

“Your brother is being put to death tomorrow for killing your wife.”

“I know the facts.” My tone is clipped.

“Were you going to tell me?”

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