Page 72 of Sins of a King

We didn’t speak until we were on our way back to The Rex. The Rex, where things made a weird sort of sense to me. I felt like a pawn.

What had my life become?

“I’m so sorry, Barrett,” Flynn gritted out. “I never would’ve left you alone if I thought for one moment you wouldn’t be safe.”

“They didn’t do anything to stop him,” I stated. “They let it happen. All the men and women just stood by and watched. Even the security guard. They made me feel worthless.” Flynn tried to take me into his arms, but I pushed him away and scooted to the corner.

“I was an object tonight. And I didn’t like it. I hated that I was in a place where I needed your protection.” I closed my eyes like I was in pain.

Before I knew it, I was hauled into his side and forced to look at him. His eyes were dark in the night.

Predator and prey.

I’d deluded myself into thinking we could be equals. We weren’t equals. Who was I kidding?

His mouth swooped in and covered mine. I wanted to shove him away but didn’t. Instead, I yanked him closer. I was pissed at myself because I felt far too much for a man who could destroy me. He was nothing but danger and power and secrets. I was the quintessential lamb, offering my throat to the wolf.

When the Rolls came to a halt outside my apartment, my eyes fluttered open in confusion. I’d forgotten everything. Flynn did that to me. We broke apart. I was glad because I needed time to clear my head.

Flynn helped me out of the Rolls and followed me upstairs. Just when I thought I was going to have to explain to him that I wanted to be alone, Flynn said, “I need to speak with Brad about some things. Can we have dinner tomorrow night?”

I shook my head. “I need some time.”

Flynn’s face went blank, his eyes steely. “Fine. I’ll call you later.” He briefly kissed my cheek and then left.

After I showered off my evening, I crawled into bed, tugging up the covers to my chin, wondering why I—strong woman that I was—wanted Flynn’s comfort.

Sometime in the middle of the night, I rolled over, encountering warm skin and a solid body. I snuggled close to him, put my hand on his chest, and went back to sleep.

Chapter 21

“You have violated the best friend code,” Ash said, dumping more wine into my wineglass before settling back on her very expensive, very white couch.

“You mean hanging up on you while you tried to tell me I was in the newspaper?”

“That, and the fact that you’re dating Flynn Campbell and I wasn’t even the first person to know about it.”

“Um. Ash. I wasn’t even the first person to know about it.”

She frowned. “I’ve had too much wine.”

Though I still had to hide some things from Ash, I gave her the watered-down version of what had occurred. Her eyes widened in sheer disbelief. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope. I’m officially in a relationship with Flynn Campbell. Privately as well as publicly.”

Ash grimaced.

“What?”

“That’s going to be new for you, having your name splashed across the society section.”

“Why would my name be splashed across the society section?” I asked.

“Because you’re dating Flynn who is one of the cities more elusive playboys. People are going to be watching and waiting to see if he loses interest in you.”

“Fantastic,” I said with a shake of my head.

When I’d awoken this morning, there had been no sign that Flynn had slept in bed next to me except for his lingering smell on my pillow. He clearly hadn’t liked the idea of spending the night apart, even though I’d wanted the space. But when I realized he was in bed next to me, I hadn’t exactly kicked him out of it.