Page 42 of Brutal Reign

After Roman leaves, I sit alone in the empty office, staring at a blank wall.

For years, I’ve thrown myself into work—expanding our counterfeit operations across three continents, taking the most dangerous assignments. Anything to keep my mind off her. But she’s always there, lurking at the edges of my thoughts. I’ve turned down every woman who’s shown interest, pretending I was too busy, too focused. The truth is, no one else has ever measured up to her memory.

What Hope and I shared that night wasn’t only physical; it was the first time I’d felt anything real in years. She looked at me like I was a man worth saving instead of a monster worth fearing. That kind of connection doesn’t come around twice in a lifetime.

Whether she’s marrying Simon by choice or by force, the outcome is the same.

I’m stopping that wedding. And when the smoke clears, Hope King will be mine.

CHAPTER

SIXTEEN

HOPE

The sun risesover the cliffs beyond the island, washing the pale floors in soft hues. From the mansion’s window, I can just make out the edge of the South China Sea. It looks like paradise, but it isn’t. It’s a prison dressed up in beauty.

We’re on a private island rented for the occasion, a forty-minute helicopter ride from Hong Kong.

Kin sits on the edge of the bed in our room, still in his pajamas, watching me. The guest suite we’ve been given is all white marble and glass walls, tailored to billionaire tastes.

He pouts. “Why do I have to stay here?”

I kneel in front of him, meeting his eyes. “Weddings are long and boring. You’ll have much more fun here with Mei,” I say, nodding at my son’s nanny. “As soon as it’s over, I’ll come and get you for the party. That’s the good part anyway.”

I give him the most patient smile I can manage. The ceremony is a few hours away, but I’ve been up since well before sunrise. I couldn’t sleep. My nerves are tight under my skin, and the only thing that brings me calm is being near Kin.

“But I wanna see you in your princess dress.”

“You’ll see it at the party,” I assure him, brushing a strand of hair off his forehead. “As soon as the boring stuff is done, I’ll come get you.”

His small arms wrap around my neck. “You promise?”

Something cracks in my chest. “I promise.”

The ceremony might be boring for a four-year-old, but it’ll be hell for me. Standing across from Simon and forcing vows I hoped I’d never have to say, believing we’d be long gone by now.

Uncle Chen tried, I know he did, but the money is tied up in red tape. He says it should be another week or two at most. But that doesn’t change the fact that there’s no avoiding walking down that aisle and everything that will be expected of me tonight. The thought makes me sick.

I pull Kin into my arms for a final hug. Deep down, I don’t want him at the ceremony. I don’t want him to see me promise to love and honor a man I despise.

With a final kiss to his forehead, I stand and smooth down the front of my robe. My dress is pressed and waiting for me a few doors down. A team of hair and makeup artists too, ready to turn me into the bride I’m supposed to be. But right now, I need one more minute to look at my son.

Maybe it’s the morning light, or something about his expression, but he looks like Lukas today. For a fleeting moment, I let myself imagine what this day would be like if I were marrying his father instead. If Lukas were waiting for me at the altar, if my parents were both alive to see me happy, if my old friends from school were here, laughing and crying with joy. If this were real love instead of a transaction. The fantasy is bittersweet enough to leave a hollow ache in my chest.

“Be good for Mei,” I remind him. “I can’t wait to see you all dressed up in your little suit!”

“Okay, Mama.” He doesn’t bother to look up. He’s already moved on, organizing his toy dinosaurs on the bed beside him by color. Exactly how it should be.

“I love you more than anything.” I blow him a kiss and walk out before he can see the tears building behind my eyes. I motion with my head for Mei to join me outside.

My son’s nanny follows, stepping into the hallway with me. She’s been with us for the last three years—an expense I had to beg Simon for—but with his demands on my time, and the fact that I didn’t feel safe sending Kin to any daycare, she’s been a godsend.

She’s young but perceptive, and even though it’s never been said out loud, she knows we’re triad connected. Which is why she doesn’t bat an eye when I say to her, “If anything happens today, anything at all, please hide in the closet with Kin and keep him calm as best you can.”

She nods, her eyebrows raising. “Are you expecting something to happen?”

“No,” I answer honestly. “But I’m not taking any chances.”