Page 91 of Wounded King

"Fuck," I groan.

"Yeah," she agrees.

Exhausted, we sink to the floor. Our clothes are in disarray, body parts are hanging out, we're sweaty and out of breath, but neither of us cares. Just lying here, leaning against his chest, is heaven. I'm not sure how I could have missed this so much after only experiencing it once, but this right here feels like home.

I know Marcello isn't a good guy. By all accounts, he's a monster—a monster who just saved me and my best friend. I sigh in contentment against him.

"Is this the moment you tell me you changed your mind again?" His voice is deep and teasing, but I detect a hint of anxiety in it that is so alien to this powerful man that it pulls at my heartstrings.

I shake my head. "I'm afraid the moment to change my mind has come and gone. I missed you too much to ever want to go through that again." And, because he allowed me a glimpse into his vulnerable side, I add, "If you'll still have me."

"Have you?" A light rumble moves through his chest, and his arms tighten around me. "These last few days have been hell. If you hadn't called, I would have stormed down to your apartment and kidnapped you."

Now, why does that sound so hot?

"You can kidnap me anytime."

"Careful, I might take you up on it."

Ah fuck, now more goosebumps are running down my skin.

"Some bad things happened to my mom, I don't know if she'd survive anything happening to me," I confess out of the blue.

"Nothing is going to happen to you." He assures me, and I believe him. No, I don't just believe him. Itrust him with my life—with my heart, my body, my future.

"What happened to your mom?" He kisses the spot behind my ear that sends shivers down my spine.

"My father died when I was little, and then our apartment burned down not long after. We lost everything. She was also pregnant with Sebastian at the time. I don't know how she did it, but she got us a new home and raised all three of us. She worked hard, but it was always just her and us. We're a tight family."

A short line of pain crosses his features. Automatically, my hand moves up to cup his rough stubble cheek. "I'm sorry. I haven't even asked yet. Have you heard anything from Sophia?"

His expression hardens, like a wall going up. I realize he does that to mask his emotions so others won't see that something might hurt him. He shakes his head.

"You can talk to me, Marcello. I'm here, and I won't go anywhere."

His lips curl slightly, but his expression remains hard. "I think I know who has her. It's only a matter of time until we find him… " A controlled tremor moves through his body. "He'll regret ever laying a hand on her."

"I'm so sorry," I lean up to kiss him. There are no words to make him feel better, but maybe he can take some solace from my presence. I hope.

Another fear jolts through me, "Will they come after my family too?"

Embers spark in his eyes. I don't like it. He regards me like someone might look at you before they deliver the worst news of your life. "We need to talk about them."

"Oh no." I rear back. "Are they okay? Please, I?—"

He takes my face between both of his hands. "They're fine, tesoro, I promise. They're safe. But we?—"

A knock on the door has us scrambling up and rearranging our clothes. I wonder what he was about to tell me, but his call of "Enter" stops me from asking. His words that they're fine soothe me enough to be patient until we have time for him to tell me the rest.

Two of the other guards from the hallway enter, led by Alejandro. All of them are laden with bags from the pet store I recommended. Alejandro has the largest cat scratching tree I've ever seen slung over his shoulders.

"Where do you want me to put these?"

"Right here for now is good," Marcello instructs, eyeing the bags. "I expect my fiancée to come home with shopping loot like this, not my soldiers," he remarks with a smirk.

Shudders of bliss run down my spine.Fiancée?I'm sure I heard him right.

As if sensing he's the star of the show, Felix comes waddling in. Tail up, he greets the men with a small meow. Felix is the friendliest cat I've ever met; when it comes to socializing, he's more like a dog than a cat. The vet said it's because I had to feed him with a bottle, but I think it's just his personality. He's still eyeing Alajandro cautiously, but the big man pulls a small box out of one of the shopping bags and opens it. Out spill ten mice. Live mice!