Page 10 of King's Claim
“I’m fine, Mom.”Lena tried to keep her voice steady.“It’s just intimidation.They won’t...”
“They will.”Her mother’s grip tightened.“I know men like that.They don’t stop.And you...”Her voice broke, and she closed her eyes for a moment.“You’ve always been so stubborn.So strong.But there’s no shame in needing help.”
Lena’s chest constricted.“Mom.”
Her mother opened her eyes again.“Listen to me.If someone’s offering you protection, take it.Don’t let pride get you killed,” she said.
Lena went still.Her mother didn’t know about King, not exactly, but she didn’t need to.It was as if she could see right through Lena, as if she already knew about the choice hanging over her.
Her mother brushed over the back of Lena’s hand with her thumb.“Promise me you’ll be careful,” her mom said.
Lena’s throat worked.She nodded.
“I promise,” Lena said.The words felt heavy, because she didn’t know if she could keep them.
Later, walking out of the hospital, Lena felt like the walls were closing in.The afternoon sun was too bright after the dim sterility of the ward, but it did nothing to chase away the heaviness in her chest.
Her mother’s voice echoed in her head.Don’t let pride get you killed.
She pulled her phone out of her bag, staring at the screen.She hovered her thumb over the contacts, over the number she swore she wouldn’t use.
She could almost hear him again, last night, when he pressed that slip of paper into her hand.Just in case.
Lena had scoffed then.She wasn’t going to be the kind of woman who called a man like him for help.Especially not a man like King.He was dangerous and commanding, the kind of man who looked at her like he could eat her alive.
But here she was, standing in the parking lot with her heart in her throat, because the Serpents weren’t going away, and her mother was right.Pride wouldn’t protect her.
With a shaky breath, she hit dial.
The phone rang once.Twice.Then his voice came through, low and rough.“King.”
Lena swallowed hard.“It’s me.Lena,” she said.
There was silence on the other end for a moment.“What happened?”King demanded.
“Nothing.Not yet.But my mom, she’s worried.And I...”She hated how small her voice sounded.“I think you were right.About not being safe.”
Another pause.“Where are you?”King eventually asked.
“Hospital parking lot.About to head home,” Lena explained.
“Don’t.”His voice was absolute.“Wait there.I’ll send my VP Viper.He’ll take you to your place, help you pack.You’re coming to the compound tonight.”
Her chest tightened.“I never said—”
“You called me,” he cut her off.“You already made the choice.”
Heat flared in her face.Damn King.Damn the way he twisted her words, the way he always seemed two steps ahead.But she didn’t hang up.She couldn’t.
“All right,” she whispered.“But only because I don’t have another option.”
He made a sound, which sounded like a half laugh and half growl.“Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.”
The line went dead.
Lena stood there, staring at her phone, her pulse racing.She should feel relief.Safety.Instead, all she felt was unsettled.Because beneath the fear, beneath the necessity of it all, there was something else brewing.
Curiosity.Heat.
