Page 39

“Because I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. It doesn’t matter how much you push, I’ll pull.” It’s a promise, one that I don’t intend on breaking any time soon. She needs stability, and I know being here with Dahlia, Ares, Tarian, and myself will make that possible. And somehow, I’ll figure out what the fuck we are.

“I just don’t want to cause any more trouble than I already have,” she tells me, scooting up, so she’s perched in my arms.

“Rukaiya,” I whisper along her mouth, cupping her cheek in my hand. “You’re not causing any trouble. There are people in this world who think that having wealth beyond measure will allow them to get away with shit. Thane should’ve been there from the moment you were born.”

“I guess. But I think I would’ve turned out like an asshole if Thane were my father.” She smiles. “I don’t think I would’ve had such a good head on my shoulders. Fergus made me stronger because of how he would abuse us, my mother and me, and I vowed I would never be in a situation like that with someone.”

“And you never will be. You’re strong, I can see it, you’re nothing like him.” The words are easy to say because they’re true. She’s strong, resilient, and beautiful. And seeing her sad bothers me more than I care to admit.

“Fergus was harsh, rude, and vile. I learned how to close myself off; it was easier to deal with him then. I grew into someone who can survive on my own. I’m a lone wolf, Etienne, I don’t need anyone.” Her sadness is palpable, and I want it to go away as fast as it possibly can. I hate seeing her pained or hurt.

“You don’t?” She quickly glances up at my question, and I continue, “Need someone? Because I have it on good authority that the position of personal bodyguard and hero is vacant.”

A giggle tumbles from her lips, the sound is a melody I never want to stop listening to. “Is it now?”

“Definitely, and I know a great candidate who will fill the position really well,” I murmur as I push her back onto the mattress and settle between her thighs. Her heat is right at my crotch, causing me to roll my hips against her.

“Then he better fill it quickly, because I’m hungry, and I’m sure Dahlia’s finished dinner already.” She sasses me, and I can’t help but growl as I go in for the kill.

“Do we want to know?” Ares asks as we enter the living room twenty minutes later, and I know I look like shit. My shirt is rumpled, and my hair looks like it’s just been in a windstorm because Rukaiya thought it would be a good idea to tangle her fingers in the strands as I tasted her.

“Well, if you want to know, I’m happy to swap stories,” I chuckle, earning me a slap on the shoulder from Rukaiya.

“You’re both terrible.” Dahlia rolls her eyes only to have Ares tug her onto his lap and tickle her ribs until she’s calling out mercy. “The dinner is in the oven, make yourselves at home.” My best friend’s girl tells us. This has been my safe haven for a long time. I doubt Dahlia knows about my past because she’s still learning about the friendship between the three guys. And I hope that Rukaiya will feel as at home here as I always do.

We make it into the kitchen without tearing each other’s clothes off and manage to fill two plates with pasta and salad, before joining the rest of the gang in the living room. Tarian enters with a girl behind him, and I recognize her instantly—Grecia Birchwood. The eldest daughter of one of the retired Crowns. Her father stepped down along with Abner and Harding, and she would’ve been a Crown if she wanted it. After Dahlia joined the Sovereign, we opened the membership to females.

Years ago, men were the only ones allowed in the society, but after Abner’s arrest, Philipe, Ares, Tarian, and I decided that Dahlia was worthy of a Crown since her father was one.

But Grecia refused the honor; instead, she’s managed to get a job alongside Tarian. The two of them have been working together for the past two months. I’ve noticed how she looks at him, but he hasn’t mentioned her in our conversations, which makes me wonder if he even realizes she’s crushing hard on him.

“Hi everyone,” she greets, offering us a smile that reminds me of her mother. Shaking my head, I nod, focusing on my plate. I realize there’s still the little issue about me and Tarian’s mother I have to tell Rukaiya about, and I’m not sure she’s going to be happy about it. Tarian is still wary around me, and I gather it’s going to take time for him to fully forgive me.