Page 113 of Wanted By a King

Memories of the state he returned in the other day cause me to stiffen. “You’ll be careful?” I ask. “I don’t know what happened last time. But I saw your bloody hands.”

He gives me a tight smile. “I’m always careful.” Then he smiles warmly. “But I like that you care, Princess.”

Nope, not going there. I promised myself not to acknowledge the feeling blooming in my chest, and that’s one promise I’ll keep forever—or at least until I’ve proven myself.

“I might want an orgasm or two tonight,” I sniff as I lift my chin. “So it would be handy if you’re able to perform.”

Surprising the fuck out of me, he rubs his nose against mine. It’s so sweet I’m just about to ask if he’s okay. But just as my lips part to give voice to the question, he snakes one hand around my throat. Squeezing enough that I know the old Grayson is still present.

“My ability to perform is one thing you never have to fucking worry about, Princess.”

After pressing a soft kiss to my forehead, he grabs Rocco and the two of them head out with the twins in tow.

As I look around, I realize I’m not the only one who heard Grayson. Several of the Cruz Cunts grin knowingly at me, and some of the men laugh boisterously.

“Looks like you have him wrapped around your cunt,” one of the Kings says.

Refusing to acknowledge the crude words, I go to join Gunner, who apparently isn’t needed on today’s run since he’s here. He’s sitting at the opposite end of the room, which is just as different as him staying here while the others leave. Usually, he’s acting like Gray’s shadow. But lately, there’s been more distance between the two of them.

“Penny for your thoughts,” I say as I sit down.

He grins. “My thoughts are worth more than a fucking penny, Sugar. You have to do better if you want to hear what I’ve cooked up.”

I raise a brow and look into his blue eyes. The intensity swimming in them is almost unnerving, but I refuse to back down.

“What do you want?” I ask, playfully. “Let me guess—”

Not giving me a chance to come up with a ridiculous guess, Gunner says, “I want you on my bike.”

The words Mama spoke to Gray when he asked her to hop on the back of his bike have me immediately shaking my head. “You know I can’t do that.”

Gunner’s grin slips for a fraction of a second. Not at all enough time for me to decipher what lies underneath his mask. That fucking beard of his makes it hard to read him half the time, so for all I know he might be thinking about apple pie.

“I didn’t say you had to be on the back,” he says easily. “The front will do.”

Taking a moment, I consider the offer. It would be all too easy to agree, so why is my mind screaming at me not to?

“No deal,” I reply, forcing a smile I don’t feel. “Pick something else.”

Lowering his voice, Gunner rasps, “You’re not ready for what I really want.”

My stomach clenches nervously. This isn’t the playful guy I’d gotten used to. There’s a wrongness about all of this, and for the first time, I realize I shouldn’t have asked Gunner for help. It’s very likely he’s biding his time until he can tell Gray about my plan for revenge, which will definitely not end well for me.

Eager to change the subject, I look around. “Where’s Rhiannon?”

“Rhiannon?” he asks, his tone making it sound like it’s wrong of me to ask.

I nod. “Yes, Rhiannon. I haven’t seen her this morning.”

He shrugs and smiles warmly. “She’s recovering. The shit she’s into takes its toll and requires at least a few days of aftercare.”

When I ask if he’s taking care of her, he laughs loudly like I just told him a joke.

“Hell to the fucking no. That’s her business, Sugar.”

I frown, not understanding why he’s acting like this. It’s as though I’m sitting across from a stranger, not someone I would have considered a friend in the making.

“Look, I have shit to do today, Sugar.” Gunner stands abruptly. “So I can’t sit around and talk. But I promise I’ll keep thinking about something for Gray.”

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