Page 37 of His Kingdom

“You’re right. I’m not going to. I don’t know the guy. Why am I doing what he wants? Just because he can give mind-blowing orgasms? Well, guess what? So can my vibrator,” I rant.

“You go, girl!” Rachel whoops.

“I’m going out,” I tell my friends as I grab my things and walk out the door. “I’ll call you both later. Love you.”

“Love you. Go get 'em.” Evie laughs before I disconnect the call.

I don’t know why I so easily fall into the habit of doing what other people want me to do. I need to remember that I’m an adult. I can do whatever I want. I don’t need to answer to anyone.

This is the internal pep talk I give myself as I walk through the casino before stepping out into the muggy night air. I look up at the sky. You can’t see stars here. I miss looking at the stars. Just as I take another step forward, someone grabs on to my arm, yanking me back.

“Where the fuck have you been?” a familiar voice hisses in my ear.

“Ouch, Owen, you’re hurting me.” I try to free my arm but his grip only tightens as he pulls me away from the entrance towards a darker spot on the street. There are people all around us, but no one is looking our way.

“Hurting you?How the hell do you think I felt standing in a fucking church waiting for you? What the hell, Charlotte?” he seethes.

“Yeah? And how do you think I felt walking in to find you fucking my sister?” I push at his chest, and shock has him loosening his grip on me.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he says.

“Really? Sothis…” I pull out my phone and open the video. “…isn’t you and Melanie?” I shove the screen into his face.

“Charlotte, baby, this is a misunderstanding. It didn’t mean anything. I love you. We can fix this.”

“You don’t love me. You never did.” I shove one more time, and he finally lets go of my arm entirely. “Lose my number and go home, Owen. I don’t ever want to see you again,” I tell him before running back inside the hotel.

Tears slide over my cheeks as I make my way towards the elevators. I don’t know why I’m crying. I’m annoyed that I’ve let him reduce me to tears again. My hands angrily swipe at my face.

When I get back to Louie’s penthouse, I realize I don’t actually have a way to get in. So I go to my room and swipe my entrance card. Where I kick off my shoes as soon as I push through the door. The dress comes next. I leave it on the floor in the living room and walk to the bed in nothing but a pair of panties.

So much for my night of freedom, my night of fun. I should have listened to Louie and just waited for him. He’s right. This city is full of no-good assholes. My ex being one of them.

ChapterNineteen

Aweek ago, I would have enjoyed the scene in front of me. Beautiful, scantily-clad women everywhere. Now, all I want to do is go home to Charlotte. These chicks are doing nothing for me. Although judging by the smile on Emmanuel’s face, he’s very happy with the night’s entertainment.

He leans forward with a grin. “Who is she?”

“Who is who?” I look around, expecting him to point to one of the girls in particular.

“The one who has your balls in her clutches. You haven’t even blinked at any of 'em.” He waves a hand around the room. “And I know you. If you’re not interested in anything on the menu here, you have someone else. Who is she?”

“Sheis none of your business,” I tell him. My jaw clenches.

“Ah, so I was right. You went and found yourself a wife.” He laughs. “Never thought I’d see the fucking day.”

“I don’t have a wife.” I roll my eyes.

“If she’s special enough for you to want to hide her from your friends, and you clearly aren’t interested in other options, then maybe she should be made a wife,” he says.

“What the fuck would you know about wife material? Your longest relationship has been… what? Five hours?” I retort.

Emmanuel shrugs. “I don’t have a need or a want for a wife.”

“And I do?” I raise a brow at him, bringing my glass to my mouth.

“If you found someone willing to put up with your sorry ass, keep her. She’s clearly one of a kind.” The asshole laughs again. This time louder.

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