Page 67 of Wrathful King
His body dripped with tension. “That’s fuckingbullshit. You and I werealwaysmeant to be. You can hate me all you want, cinnamon girl. But don’t regret me. Never fucking regret us. If you don’t want me anymore, put a bullet in me.”
I’d rather die than hurt him.
“Why didn’t you pay the ransom?”
His brows furrowed. “Ransom?” I nodded. “What are you talking about?”
I gulped, the lump growing bigger. “P-Perez said you refused to pay my ransom, that you left me there because I was ruined.” But didn’t I also think he was taunting me? I didn’t know what to think anymore. Maybe that conversation never even happened. I buried my face in my hands, blocking out the world.
“He never asked for ransom, Reina.” The seriousness of his tone signaled the truth, and the gentle way he pulled my hands away from my face and stroked my cheeks promised it. “He never even reached out, only dropped a video of your torture. We had no idea where you were forweeks. I would’ve given my everything, down to my last cent, for you. Don’t you see? None of it matters to me if I don’t have you.”
My eyes flitted to his and I murmured, “I see.”
“What did he do to you?”
My lungs burned and I fought to suck in air. I couldn’t go there with him. Not yet. Not now.
So I focused on other things instead. Other ghosts.
“Didyoukill him?” I croaked, my arms coming around to hug my knees. Perez and his bottomless eyes haunted me during every waking and dreaming hour. But it was more than just that. It was the secrets of our parents we were paying for. The memories that resurfaced. The enemies that lingered in the shadows.
“I did,” he said, shifting closer before catching himself. “I still can’t believe you’re here.” His voice dripped with relief.
“Are you going to kill the others?” My voice quivered. “Are you going to kill your mother?” Papà didn’t have to name the culprit; we all knew who it was.
Chancing a look at his face, I could feel all my muscles tensing. In the dark of the night lit only by the moon, his face looked harsher, his jaw more angular, and somehow he looked older. But his eyes… They were always what pulled on my heartstrings the most.
“If she’s done what I suspect, I will.” The tone of his voice left no room for doubts. “But I will question her. I want to understand why she was willing to destroy us when she could have had everything.”
I didn’t understand exactly what he meant, but I didn’t ask. The concept of so much evil surrounding us was hard to grasp. It was like the universe was against us from the moment we met.
“They will all pay,” he vowed, leaning closer. A shiver rushed down my spine as his scent registered. Breathing became a chore and goosebumps erupted on my skin.
I’d dreaded this moment since I first woke up in the safety of his home. He’d be repulsed by me once he got too close and saw my scars.
“We can’t do this,” I stated. “I can’t stay with you.”
His brows furrowed. “Why not?” he demanded. “You’re my wife.”
My lips thinned. I wasn’t sure who was the romantic fool anymore, and I was too tired to figure it out.
I leaned back, fatigue slowly creeping through my broken body. “Never mind. But know this, Amon. I’m going back home to Europe when Papà leaves.”
There was a long, tense pause, and then the mattress shifted as he stood up. I could hear the heavy thud of his footsteps on the wooden floor as he made his way to the door.
I opened my eyes, catching a glimpse of his tall frame as he lingered in the doorway.
“In that case, your papà’s staying. We’ll get through this together.”
“You’ll never have me again,” I rasped, emotions clogging my throat.
He stood still for a heartbeat or two. “I will have you in any way you’ll let me, Reina Romero,” he whispered. “If I have to wait ten lifetimes, I will. In every life. You and me against the world.”
It should have given me the reassurance I craved, yet it didn’t. Insecurity and doubt were inked into my marrow.
I exhaled a shuddering breath. “I can’t give you what you want.”
“I want you to be okay. To live. Just fucking be with me, because you’re home.My home.” My heart trembled at the passion in his voice. “Think about it, but know I won’t give up. I’m not familiar with that concept when it comes to you. I gave you up once, and I’d sooner die than do it again.”
