Page 45 of King of Obsession (Kings of the Underworld #1)

Just to piss him off even more, I cross one leg over the other, humming unperturbed as if nothing happened. The hem of the dress rises, exposing my thigh and he slams his palm on it, squeezing. It’s always a battle with us, but it’s epic when one of us raises the white flag for temporary peace.

When he removes it, I see his handprint, and I realize I’ll let this man mark me however he wants.

“Your cum will wash away. Just like your handprint.”

He jerks his chin, giving me a once-over. “Then I’ll get you something permanent.”

My attempt at riling him up failed, so I purse my lips.

“Don’t even think about it.”

Secretly, I hope he does because seeing his name on me made me feel even closer to him. I must truly be deranged.

The short drive home passes with me being a nervous wreck, not knowing what he’ll do, and him grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

“Wait for me in my bed,” he commands.

“No.”

“I’ll drag you there myself then.”

I stomp out, slamming the car door shut. On shaky legs, I walk inside and come face to face with Kill.

The best way to get over your fears is to face them. At least this is the shit I’ve read.

“Okay, Kill. If you bite me, I am going to kill you.”

He cocks his head, eyeing me curiously. I think food will work, and hopefully, in his mind, his kibble looks more appetizing than my bones.

Putting it in his bowl, I crouch down, every muscle throbbing with the reminder of Enzo’s taking me.

“Your master is a brute. A savage brute. You’re not like him, are you?”

But again, he’s my brute. I tamed him, so maybe I can do the same with Kill.

I wait for the dog to finish, then I slowly move my hand toward him. My heart lodges in my throat and a shiver runs down my spine, making me all jittery.

It seems like forever until I reach his head, and he leans further into my touch. I smile brightly, thinking how pissed Enzo will be when he sees I made peace with his beast.

Seems only fair.

“Tonight, I am too exhausted not to obey your brute of a master. Any idea what he’ll do?”

I can’t believe I am talking to a dog. What do I think will happen? He’ll tell me how to get myself out of this mess?

Sighing, I take the road I’ve been down before, paved with wishes and dreams. At the end, I’ll find them butchered at my feet. One step at a time, I take the path to my destruction.

In his room, I see he has both a shower stall and a bathtub. Hooking my thumb at each strap, the dress falls down my body just like my belief this night will turn out any other way than with me marked for good.

Inside the bathroom, I turn on the water and spot bath oil. I pour a generous amount and slip in, closing my eyes and letting the water soothe me.

I hear Enzo enter, but I don’t open my eyes until I feel his nearness, awakening my instinct to seek his eyes that are perusing the length of my body. My thigh is exposed as I have one knee bent and my nipples poke through the bubbles at his presence alone.

Standing up, I want him to see me in all my naked glory—the body he can’t refuse, the connection he can’t deny, the woman he can’t hate nor kill even if he wants to.

Snagging a towel, I wrap it around myself.

He cocks his head, his brows bunched together. “I expected a fight.”

“I like keeping you on your toes,” I retort as I pass him and see what appears to be a tattoo gun, gloves, and a sheet laid on the bed.

Looking at him over my shoulder, I say, “You can’t help yourself, can you?”

He gnashes his teeth. “You overestimate your influence.”

I flick a strand of my hair back. “Brand me, Enzo. It will only make your madness more consuming.”

“You won’t be the death of me,” he grits out.

“I already am.”

All I want is to be his comfort, his partner, his good girl and slut. But above all, be the woman he’s proud to call his and not partake in another game of trying to outdo the other.

Laying on my front on the soft bed, I rest my chin on my arm. Fighting him would only drain the rest of my energy. This is where I’ll end up, anyway.

I wanted this, so at least one of my wishes came true.

He straddles my thighs, and I hear the snap of the gloves.

“Have you done this before?”

“No one is going to stare at your naked ass but me, so it’s irrelevant.”

Also true. But he will, so I trust him to do his best.

The machine starts buzzing, and I can’t help but think about how the tattoo will look. I have been meticulous about what I put in and on my body. It would be a pity to have a tattoo with bad handwriting.

I giggle. Must have lost my freaking mind for good.

“Stay still.”

The needle connects with my skin and my hands automatically curl into fists. Good that I have a higher pain tolerance than most.

I am lulled by him humming something as he is fully focused on the job. I lose track of time until he wipes my skin with some cool gel and then he slaps my other cheek in a sign he’s done.

He climbs off me, and I rise then walk into the walk-in closet to the full length mirror. I stand before it and turn a bit to see a curvy, beautifully written Enzo’s on my left ass cheek.

The tattoo takes all my attention and I barely notice his approach. He has a sharpie in his mouth and when he uncaps it, he continues the tattoo by writing “ property” on the other cheek.

Now I know why he tattooed just his name. He can write whatever he wants whenever it hits him. With this mark, I am forever bound to him.

Then he writes other words, right under the first ones. Enzo’s tight hole, fuck toy… on and on until he basically has no space left my ass cheek. In all the words written, I can’t find the ones I crave most—Enzo’s woman. As our eyes lock, I doubt I will ever be that again.

I am his captive and he’s my punisher.

Hollowness spreads through me, leaving me feeling desolate and wandering alone—forever lost.

This night has been a rollercoaster of emotions. I step off the wild ride, dizzy on my feet.

On my way out of the closet, I look at his chest and at the spot where my bullet left a mark. I never miss. I pulled the trigger, and it went straight through his soul.

“I’ve lost everything, Enzo. You can stop,” I whisper.

“You owe me your life.”

“And what do you owe me?”

He pins me with a harsh look.

Stupid man. He was the hit I didn’t complete. And he’ll never know I didn’t miss on purpose.