Page 53 of Monsters Wear Crowns (Crowned Monsters Duet #1)

RAFE

(TW: Mild Consensual non consent)

Adela had insisted. “If we’re doing this relationship thing, you need to be more social,” she’d said with that damnable, playful smile. “We’re going out with Laura. I’m not letting you rot in your castle like some moody, reclusive criminal.”

I hadn’t argued. Not really. But it wasn’t like I was thrilled, either. There was a reason I stayed in the shadows. I operated better there. People, noise, mingling…it was a chaotic mess I’d spent my life avoiding. But for her?

For her, I’d make the exception. She could’ve asked me to sit through a dinner party with a room full of FBI agents and I still would’ve said yes.

As long as her tight little pussy stayed wrapped around my cock, I didn’t give a fuck what hoops I had to jump through.

No other woman had ever made me this unhinged–this goddamn stupid.

I fucked her in my head constantly when we were apart.

Filthy scenarios. Unholy shit. All the ways I wanted to bend her, break her, make her scream.

She’d always be safe as long as she never betrayed or left me.

I’d protect her with my dying fucking breath.

That was how I ended up in some dimly lit bar in the heart of the city, half-sitting on a too-small stool with my back to the wall, watching Adela and Laura talk at the bar like they hadn’t seen each other in weeks.

I sipped my drink in silence, my eyes on her the whole time.

And yeah, maybe I was moody. Maybe I was reclusive.

But I was hers. And I wasn’t going anywhere.

Adela tipped her head back and laughed at something Laura said, her bare shoulders gleaming under the low light.

That tiny black dress hugged her gloriously, and her legs kept drawing eyes.

Not just mine. One guy at the end of the bar was already on his second glance.

The third one would be his last.

I didn’t move. Didn’t speak. I just stared him down, letting the weight of my presence sink in like a blade. I was a big fucking guy with an intimidating stare. It was what contributed to people in our underworld calling me The Monster. When his gaze met mine, I didn’t blink.

He looked away.

Smart fucker.

Adela turned then, those blue eyes landing on me, her lips curving into a smirk.

She could always tell when I was on edge.

When the animal in me was starting to stir.

She walked toward me with the kind of confidence that made men want to ruin their lives.

My life had been ruined the second I laid eyes on her.

Once I realized her beauty and interests, she fucking had me.

“You okay?” she asked sweetly, placing a hand on my chest.

“No,” I said, low and dangerous. “That guy wanted to fuck you.”

“Mm,” she hummed, fingers sliding down my torso. “I’m here with you.”

“Barely.” My hand slid up her thigh beneath the hem of that sinful dress. “Keep testing me, and I’ll drag you into the back of this bar and remind you who owns you.”

She inhaled sharply. Her eyes darkened, and she bit that cute bottom lip. Goddammit, my cock was already hardening just looking at her. I shifted, and her eyes picked up on the movement. She grinned and sat to my left at the high top table. My little doe .

Laura appeared beside us. “Jesus, get a room.”

“We will,” Adela said, her voice like silk laced with sin. “Soon.” But soon wasn’t enough.

Laura sat beside to my right, her blonde hair spilling over her shoulders like a waterfall. “So,” she started, her voice light and teasing. “Things have been pretty quiet. It’s almost like life was before she met you.”

I didn’t flinch. I never did. It wasn’t a surprise that Laura wasn’t entirely fond of me. “I get it. I brought some shit down upon you both, and I am sorry. But I find Adela far too fascinating.”

Laura’s lips twitched into a sly smile, and she shook her head. “I don’t know, Rafe, I’m worried about her. You wanted the protection that we provide and suddenly capture the CEO’s heart? I don’t know.”

Adela shot her a glare. “It’s complicated, I know. But his offer is just hard to turn down.” She winked at me, and I clenched my hand to avoid reaching out and snatching her by her throat.

I gave Laura a controlled look. “She’s not a damsel in distress, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Mm,” she hummed, raising an eyebrow. “She adores you, so I’ll deal with you. Even if you make our lives a living hell.”

Adela rolled her eyes at her best friend. She leaned closer to me, her hand finding mine under the table. Her skin was warm. “She and I have protected one another for many years.”

“You’ve been stressing her out, Rafe. I hope you know that.” Laura said, glancing at me with an expression of amusement and suspicion. “Even if you lay god-tier dick. Or, whatever the hell she said.”

Adela nearly choked on her drink.

I smirked, turning my gaze back to Laura. “Stress is part of the deal,” I said, voice low. “Adela knew what she was getting into.”

“You’re sweet,” Laura muttered, the sarcasm dripping off her words.

“I love how you both try to act like it’s all easy.

I’m over here freaking the fuck out. I’m not the one who normally has to deal with our ruthless clients.

That’s Adela’s thing. So I don’t appreciate it when I am threatened.

She at least gets railed in return. Not me. ”

I leaned back in my chair, taking a sip of my drink, and said nothing.

Adela was practically glowing in the dim light, her fingers still wrapped around mine, a subtle show of possession that didn’t escape Laura’s notice.

I knew how Adela felt about me–how complicated it all was.

I saw it in her eyes when no one else was looking, when she thought I couldn’t catch the tremble in her voice.

But tonight was about pretending that life wasn’t always teetering on the edge of destruction.

“So, we’ve upped our security. After recent events, it’s required.” Adela’s voice trailed off, and I felt a sudden tension in the air.

I cleared my throat, forcing the conversation back to safer ground. “Moreau’s an asshole. He does have power, but not nearly enough to take us down together.”

Laura raised an eyebrow, obviously sensing the weight of my words.

She clearly didn’t believe I was sincere in my feelings for Adela.

Perhaps this all started out as a way to protect myself.

I hacked the woman’s account to find what I could offer her for priority protection.

Other than money, of course. And, fortunately, it also benefited me.

But over time, I’d grown to care for her in ways I hadn’t expected.

“Sounds ominous. So, when should we expect a hit on your life, huh?” Laura teased, but there was an edge to her voice now.

Adela shot her a warning glare, but I didn’t flinch.

“Anytime,” I said bluntly. “When you live like I do, you don’t wait for trouble to come knocking, you make sure you’re ready when it does. Many would like nothing more than to put a bullet in my skull.”

Adela squeezed my hand under the table. “I trust you.”

Her words were simple, but they went straight through me. Adela trusted me, despite everything. Despite the monster I was, despite the dark things I’d done to survive.

Laura, on the other hand, just gave me an almost-nod and took another sip of her drink. “Fair enough.”

Thankfully, Adela steered us into more casual conversations. Another bottle of wine later, they started talking about some mutual acquaintances they both hated or loved. I listened, trying to force myself into the rhythm of their conversation.

But I was mostly thinking about the woman sitting across from me–my girlfriend .

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d allowed someone this close to me.

Hell, I’d never even let anyone like this close.

Yet here I was, and for all the danger I brought into her life, she hadn’t turned away.

She was mine in every sense of the word, and if I was being honest, I was quickly losing my grip on any part of myself that didn’t belong to her.

“With Moreau giving us a little break, I’ve dragged him out on dates.” Adela grinned, seeming entirely proud of herself for pulling the beast out of the shadows.

Laura laughed, leaning back in her chair, unbothered. “It’s weird seeing you in a relationship. I’m glad you’re happy, though. If you were to end up with anyone, it makes sense that it’s with Rafe Vaughan.”

Adela leaned in closer, her shoulder brushing mine as if claiming me in front of her best friend.

I shot Laura a glance, my mouth curving into something close to a smile. “I don’t make a habit of sharing, Laura. No one will touch her. No one will hurt her.”

“Good.” She smirked. “I’m sure Adela loves that.”

“She does,” I replied, my voice low and steady. “She knows exactly what I’m capable of.”

Adela squeezed my hand again, her eyes softening as she looked at me.

I had never loved a woman before, but, fuck , this one was different.

I had been too scared to tell her. How ridiculous of me.

I was a fucking criminal who has killed more people than I could count.

And here I was, nervous about telling a woman I loved her.

For the longest time, I believed love to be a weakness. And in many ways, it was. As the bar became more crowded, the conversation and clinking glasses grew louder, but I barely heard any of it.

Adela was laughing.

That beautiful fucking laugh wrapped around my throat like a noose.

Laura had been going on about an outrageous client, but I hadn’t been listening.

Because Adela had leaned in, resting her elbow on the table, her dress slipping just enough to reveal a glimpse of cleavage, and my mind had gone dark again.

The way she played with the rim of her glass, dragging her fingers over the condensation, made my blood heat. I could feel the ghost of her touch already.

“Rafe.”