Page 80 of Unforgiving Queen

We stared at each other, distinct longing hanging in the air. At least in my soul. My heart drummed in my chest. I couldn’t breathe while the threat snuffed out all the oxygen in this hallway.

“Is that the reason you’re here?” I raised a brow in challenge. “Or is there something else you want?”

I applauded my courage, recognizing at the same time how stupid it was. There were so many layers of animosity between us that one wrong move would cause it to detonate.

“Marry him and I’ll make you a widow before you can say ‘I do,’ so help me God.”

He turned around, leaving me dumbfounded.

It occurred to me then that maybe the old Amon was gone, and a true bitter prince had taken his place.

* * *

After my little incident with Amon, I went into turbo cleaning and redecorating mode. Again. It was my stress reliever, even more so since I promised myself I would stop cutting.

I started with my room, then moved on to the bathroom and kitchen, until I found myself rearranging the living room. Again.

You and me against the world.

Why did those words haunt me? I could feel the breeze, smell his scent and feel his touch when he promised me forever. It ate at me.

The noise buzzed in my ears. Images flashed in my mind. Rustled sheets. Tangled bodies, his covering mine. So heavy. So perfect.

The doorbell rang, ripping me from my X-rated thoughts.

I finished wiping the kitchen counter, quickly washed my hands, and went to open the door.

My heart dropped to my toes.Oh. My. Freaking. God.

This couldn’t be happening. Not today.

“Hello, fiancée.” I groaned. I couldn’t deal with seeing both Leone brothers on the same day, so on instinct I tried to shut the door on him, but he kept it open with a flat palm.

It reminded me of a similar situation three years ago, and my pulse leapt as memories invaded.

“Don’t be like that, Reina,” he drawled, a gleam in his eyes setting me on edge. Dante stood in the hallway, donning his three-piece suit and an attitude that could easily destroy a girl with an open heart. “I thought we could give our date another try.”

He leaned against the doorway and brought a bouquet of red roses forward. I still didn’t understand what Phoenix saw in him, but somehow it didn’t surprise me that she had fallen for him, but I wouldn’t easily forget what he’d done.

“What?” I muttered. “Beating a waiter for offering me a list of specials last night wasn’t good enough?”

It was exactly what happened. We never even made it to the main course. I didnotwant a repeat of that.

His gaze flashed with something sardonic. “I don’t like people looking at what’s mine.”

I scoffed. “I’m not yours. Never have been; never will be.”

I took a step back as he entered my apartment. The door shut behind him with a soft click and the situation had beads of sweat gathering at my temples. Dante was a younger version of his father, and something about it had never sat well with me.

He followed me as I retreated and I felt the backs of my calves brush up against the couch as I kept my eyes on him.

“Not yet.” Every fiber of my being revolted at the idea of being tied to Dante Leone. While it had felt natural—right—with Amon, it wasn’t that way with his brother. My back hit the hallway wall. “Does it scare you?”

“What?” I rasped.

“Belonging to me.”

I nodded. “Yes.”