Page 42 of Hopeless Kingdom
“No?” Darrio repeats.
“You two aren’t the only ones in this relationship. If you two want to go jerk each other off as a loving couple, that’s great, but until then, I get a say in our relationship.” My features smooth into a look of virginal innocence. “My emotions are fragile.” My hand darts up to my chest to feign emotions in my apparently delicate heart and Darrio cocks a brow at me. “You two are just as responsible for our overcrowded relationship as I am. I didn’t manipulate your dicks.” I shake my head at them. “You two choose who will stay and who will go.”
“That’s not how this works.” Darrio folds his muscular arms across his chest, mirroring my determination.
The long locks curled sweetly around my face shift as I tilt my chin at him with a look of pure innocence. I refuse. I refuse to let them pin this cluster fuck on me. They’re grown men. They can step up and take responsibility like men.
“If our roles were reversed, and there were two of me, would you be able to choose so easily?”
A smirking look fills Darrio’s features and he leans in a little closer. He gets right in my face with that brooding confidence that always seems to cling to him.
“If there were two of you, one of you would have killed me the moment we met.”
I do my best to bite back the smile that’s threatening my lips.
He’s not wrong.
“I’m not choosing.”
I shove the blankets off with storming anger and stand, my body brushing past Darrio. Just because I can, I give a nice, long—naked—stretch before the two of them.
This is the prize, boys.
Figure out your lives and it could be yours.
Until then, the Eminence has real shit to worry about.
***
Tension surrounds the three of us. For whatever reason, Darrio and Daxdyn don’t leave me. The two of them talk quietly while I stand on the balcony overlooking the city. The fires aren’t burning here near the kingdom. The kingdom appears contained. Only a blazing red hue lines the horizon as if an unearthly glow is radiating from our terrible planet.
My father worked for the king when I was younger. I grew up here in this city. I could really leave this place. I could leave it all behind forever. If I could only figure out how. Tomorrow night Tristan believes I’ll renew this kingdom into greatness.
If I don’t have a plan ready by then, he and I will both be in for an undramatic surprise.
Warm hands push across my abdomen and I feel his body against mine. I close my eyes and know who it is without turning to him.
“Come sit with us. Stop worrying so much.” Daxdyn presses a soft kiss to the crown of my head.
If I’m being honest, I’m subtly avoiding the two of them in this ridiculously small room.
“He’s not mad. Come sit with us. Talk with us,” he says again as his mouth presses warmly to the base of my neck.
Daxdyn was never the one I was truly afraid of hurting. He shares his emotions with everyone. Sharing me hasn’t ever seemed like an issue for him.
“I’m ruining your relationship with your brother.”
Rumbling laughter skims across my neck, making me shiver in his arms.
“Nothing will ever ruin our relationship, Kara. It’s just not possible. I’ve never cared about anyone other than myself and my brother.” He pauses, his voice lowering so quietly I barely hear him. “Until I met you.”
I turn in his arms and his bright eyes shine into mine.
“Come sit with us,” he repeats softly with a smile.
“Kara, come fucking sit with us. You’re awful at confrontation.” Darrio’s booming voice echoes up the high ceilings and I hide my face in Daxdyn’s chest as I smile.
I let him pull me back into the room. Darrio’s legs are spread wide as he sits in one of the loveseats.
