Page 4

My phone vibrates on the table in the dining room, and I make my way over to grab it. What I find waiting for me is a confirmation email for tonight’s meeting with the rest of the Sovereign in Westminster.

It’s only six in the morning, and I haven’t had enough coffee yet, so instead of getting ready for the day, I head into the kitchen and flick the switch on the Keurig, setting a large mug under the drip and waiting for it to fill up.

I’ve been tense all night, the sleep I had wasn’t nearly enough, and I’m feeling out of sorts. All I kept picturing was Rukaiya in danger.

Even though I only had a short time to get to know her—I was fascinated by her. Long blonde braids that hit her waist. Curves that had me licking my lips each time she sashayed by me. And those large, round green eyes, and her pouty, pink lips that I kept picturing around my cock.

I haven’t been obsessed with anyone before. Not like this. The need to protect her is fierce, but her pushing me away only makes me want it more. It’s not just the need to get my dick wet, it’s… more.

Sighing, I lift the mug, taking a sip of the fresh brew before I head back into the living room where my laptop is waiting on the coffee table. I pick it up, lift the lid, and open my email. Perhaps reading through the information Dad sent will take my mind off the anxiety that’s twisting in my gut. And I wonder if this is the calm before a major fucking storm.

2

Etienne

I’m stepping out of the shower when a knock sounds at my door. Wrapping a towel around my waist, I make my way into the living area and lean in to check who it is through the keyhole. There, on the other side of my door is Rukaiya.

She’s got her hair pinned at the back of her head, making her face and delicate neck more prominent, which doesn’t help my cock from pulsing with need. I want to mark her smooth skin, more than it’s already colored in with the tattoos she has snaking their way around her shoulders.

Pulling open the door, I hide my body, but gift her a smirk. I’m met with her green eyes that look like gemstones as they pierce me with a shrewd glare.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” I question slowly, watching her with piqued interest. I hope to turn her feisty, so I can enjoy the tension between us.

“You know what I’m doing here. You shouldn’t be here.” Her voice is tight with tension, and I wonder if she’s worried her father will find out I’m in London. To be honest, I don’t give a shit, that asshole is going down. We’re just waiting on proof, and he’ll be taken out, just like he’s meant to be.

“You found me, so I’m not sure you’re supposed to be here,” I tell her, before I step aside and swing my arm toward the room, enticing her to enter. When she does, she makes her way to the sofa, but it’s only when she sits and I shut the door that she notices I’m only wearing a towel.

Her gaze drinks me in slowly, starting at my bare feet, trailing its way up to my hips, over my abs and chest, before landing on my questioning stare.

“What?” She bites out, her cheeks darkening considerably, and I can’t help but chuckle. She’s cute. I love making her nervous, and I’m certainly making a show of doing it with barely anything on.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”

Closing the distance between me and the couch, I lean against the door frame to the bedroom, causing her gaze to flit over my shoulder, and I know she can see the bed in the corner of the room. It’s like a mini apartment, and I love knowing she’s in such close proximity to my naked body and a bed where I can easily lay her down and feast on her.

“I came here to tell you to leave,” she informs me, crossing her arms in front of her chest, as if she’s closing herself off to any more confrontation. I want to do more, make her see that I’m here to protect her, not to hurt her, but I can’t do that if she doesn’t trust me.

“Look,” I sigh, pushing off the frame, “I’m here to sort out Sovereign shit. And don’t tell me you don’t know what that is because you and I both know your father is a member.” Heading to the bar fridge, I grab two bottles of water and hand one to Rukaiya. I expect her to refuse, but she accepts with a nod.