Page 89 of Claimed By a King

Moving back over to Zoe, I give her a wide berth so I don’t startle her, making sure her eyes find me as she drags them away from Alana.

“You ready, Princess?”

Her lips thin as she glances over her shoulder to the back passage that leads to church.

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to be there? Because I’ll be okay here with Alana if it’s easier.”

Dropping down to my haunches, her blue eyes follow me, watching as I slowly hook my pinky with hers. “I’ve already told you, Zo. Where I go, you go, and where you go, I go. I lead this club now, and if I say my princess is to sit by my side during church or any sort of discussion, then that’s just the way it is. If someone doesn’t like that, then they know where the door is.”

Her blue gaze softens as her lips tip up in a small smile, giving me a nod right as Cain enters the clubhouse.

“It’s alright my minions. Cain is here. You can worship the ground I walk on now.”

Snickers sound through the room from the few Cruz Cunts sitting nearby, and Munroe and Stretch who have taken a seat at the bar with Tex.

I’m about to remind Cain that he’s on my turf now as I stand, but Zoe beats me to it.

“You’re not the king here.”

His face lights up at hearing her voice, his arms spreading wide as he strides in our direction.

“Ahhh, here she is. My princess.”

I growl as he gets closer, stepping in front of him so he can’t get to her.

“Don’t you meanmyprincess?” I lift a brow and he frowns and nods.

“That’s what I said.Myprincess.”

Zoe giggles behind me, halting any more of my words. “It’s good to see you, Cain.”

He beams, standing on his toes and eyeing Zoe over my shoulder. “It’s good to see you too. At least the half of your face I can see.” He glares at me then. “You’re not made of glass, Gray.”

“I know I’m not fucking made of glass. Keep your distance.”

A slow sinister smirk spreads Cain’s lips wide. “Ooooh you’re so possessive.”

I glare harder and he rolls his eyes. “Relax. I know the situation, man.” He fake punches my shoulder. “I won’t touch my princess until she asks.”

“She’s not your fucking princess,” I snap, and Alana snickers.

“I think what Cain is trying to say is that Zoe is all of our princess.” She shoots Zoe a smile before bending at the waist to bow and Zoe laughs again.

Okay. This is good. She’s laughing more. That’s a good sign.

I hope.

“In the back.” I snap at Cain and he bows too, in a fucking extravagant way, and when I huff and turn to Zoe, my annoyance falls away as I see the brief lightheartedness in her face.

She’s in there somewhere. Even though she told me she doesn’t know who she is anymore, I can still seemy princess behind her haunted eyes. It doesn’t matter what version of herself she settles on when all this is over with, I’ll still love her, anyway. How could I not?

Gesturing for Zoe to follow Cain, she trails behind him and my eyes naturally fall down the length of her body as she walks. Her frail frame is a reminder of some of the cruelty she suffered, but what hurts the most to see is the way she curls her shoulders forward as she walks, her arms wrapped across her chest like she can close herself off to the world.

I fucking hope that one day, I see her with her shoulders back, her chin up, and that sassy mouth stirring my temper. I don’t want to see that for me. I want to see that for her.

Entering church, I gently press my hand to the small of Zoe’s back, leading her to the head of the table. The chatter between everyone falls silent as I pull a seat out for Zoe, all eyes falling to us as we sit.

“Thanks for coming,” I announce, picking up the pack of cigarettes on the table and tapping one out before offering one to Slasher.

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