Page 128 of Kings & Queen

She fumed, her eyes growing angry. “Maybe next time I’ll record the conversation for you, Torturer. We’re not only going to have to work on your loose lips but your loyalty too.”

I had to cover my mouth and cough to keep from laughing hysterically.

“Now, I know I’ve told you before, young lady, I don’t do sass on any level. So watch your tone with me,” he warned. Her eyes widened, and I shook my head, watching her test her boundaries with us. Fucking fascinating; every bit of it turned me on.

“Alek—”

“Not up for discussion means exactly that. Now, I’ll indulge you on the topic you wanted to discuss as far as this week’s activities, but the other is nonnegotiable. Let’s get this over with. It’s been a long day.”

She seemed to wither a bit under the weight of my words. Her eyes darted away, and she fidgeted, tugging at her dress, stalling.

Then, in true Kinsley fashion, she jumped up. “Cookies, that’s what we need. I made some. I’ll be right back.” She dashed out of the room like the hounds of hell were nipping at her heels.

I turned to Bash and Marcel, my frustration bubbling over. Exactly whose best mates were they? “I swear to god, the two of you have done more traitorous things in the last few weeks than ever. We may have to reevaluate this friendship.”

“Quit being a baby. That’s Ivan’s job,” Marcel said as the rest of the assholes laughed.

Thank goodness she didn’t keep us waiting long. I was losing my shit. She made a cute presentation of passing one to each of us like it was snack time. Then she set the rest down on the coffee table.

“Damn, these are good, Kinsley,” Marcel said, taking two more.

“You take requests? I’d love some white chocolate macadamia cookies,” Sebastian murmured, shoving one in his mouth.

“The floor is all yours. You’re cutting in on my evening. Why don’t you start talking?” I prodded.

She shifted her feet, rocking on them. “Okay.” She paused and took a deep breath. For one quick second, she made eye contact with Sebastian and Marcel. “I’m not coming home with you,” she whispered.

“Kitten, I’ve already told you that isn’t up for discussion. You will come home with us tonight, it’s—”

“Alek, let her talk,” Marcel chimed in. He gave her a nod, encouraging her. I raised an eyebrow in his direction, silently conveying my displeasure, before turning back to her.

She cleared her throat. “I’m leaving in less than two weeks. Sebastian’s man has a date now, and things are set in motion. It doesn’t make sense for me to emotionally get too comfortable.”

“I understand what you’re saying. But that makes it more important than ever that you come home with us. We want to spend as much time with you as possible,” Nik said.

I understood her turmoil, especially since she didn’t know we were working behind the scenes to find a way to keep her here in London with us. Sharing thatmight make her bolt, so the three of us had voted to keep it to ourselves. My feelings were a complex mix of annoyance and affection for the little shit.

“And when it’s time for me to go, what then? I know when Marcel found me, I was in a horrible place, and not only because of my fucking past—”

“Language, young lady,” Sebastian bellowed before I could even get a word in. I couldn’t help but grin when Nik gave him a slight nod.

Anger ignited within her, and fire shot from her eyes. In hindsight, she was looking for someone to unleash on, and since it couldn’t be me, she was testing her luck with Sebastian. Once more, I watched in fascination. I secretly loved seeing her get more and more comfortable with us all.

“Seriously, Caruso, I get Alek, but you’ve no authority over me,” she huffed, rolling her eyes.

Time for a lesson. I grabbed her, and before she realized what was happening, she was pulled across my lap and her dress was hiked up, revealing her bare ass cheeks. Bash broke into a soft laugh, shaking his head. I caressed them as everyone stared.

“Alek, no.” She squirmed on my lap.

“Hold still,” I seethed, smacking her ass hard. The sting was sharp, and the resoundingcrackwhen my hand made contact had her crying out in pain. She continued to squirm.

“I swear, if you move once more, I will turn you over to the Torturer to spank, and I promise you one thing: you willnotenjoy it.” My hand smoothed over the stinging flesh as she finally stopped moving.

“You would do that?” she croaked out, as tears fell down her cheeks.

“Yes. When you disrespect a member of this house, you disrespect me. I will not have it. Sebastian absolutely has authority over you as your brother. Just as Marcel does as your counselor. Now you’ve been warned. Choose your next words carefully, young lady. I have zero patience at this point in the evening. Understand?”

“Yes, Master.” She choked back sobs.