Page 27 of Slay King

Storm let out a sharp laugh. “Fuck no.”

I turned to look at Sebastian, who shrugged.

“King comes back, and you’re not here?” He shook his head. “He’d lose his shit.”

Right now, I wasn’t worried about what King would and wouldn’t do if I wasn’t here. I was frustrated that he’d put me in this position. I didn’t like inconveniencing anyone. It gave me extreme anxiety.

“He will be tired from his party tonight,” I said bitterly.

Storm laughed again. “Tired of listening to Scotlin’s mouth.”

Sebastian chuckled beside me, as if he, too, found that funny. Hearing them talk about King not liking Scotlin helped. I was jealous of her. I could admit it. Who wouldn’t be?

“He’s right. King will want to see you after an evening with her.”

I had needed to hear that more than they could ever know. Suddenly, popcorn and a movie sounded perfect.

“Okay then, popcorn and a movie it is.”

Storm turned to look back at the television. “You like action, horror, thriller—please do not ask for a chick flick.”

I smiled at the thought of making the two of them watch Bridget Jones’s Diary, but I wouldn’t do that to them. I was already keeping them from going to the club, which I was assuming was a strip club from the way they’d talked about it.

“I don’t like horror.”

“We can work with that,” he agreed.

“You ready for me to make you a real drink?” Sebastian asked.

I nodded. I was indeed ready for a cocktail. Even the popcorn sounded appealing.

• Twelve •

It wasn’t healthy, this thing we were doing.

Rumor

We were halfway through the second John Wick when I found myself struggling to keep my eyes open. I had thought I could make it through another movie, but I had underestimated the effects of the two drinks Sebastian had made me. Each blink got heavier, and I yawned, then forced myself to sit up. Storm was texting on his phone, and Sebastian was focused on the movie.

I didn’t know how much longer it would be before King returned, but I wasn’t sure I could wait up any longer. The later it got, the more I began fixating on what it was he was doing.

Before I could say my good nights and excuse myself, the door opened. My stomach did a little flip at the sight of King in a tuxedo. His gaze scanned the room and locked on mine. Smiling, I stood up, happy he was back. That he was looking for me and that I’d get to go to sleep beside him.

I took a step in his direction when his eyes seemed to harden, then flare, as if some demonic presence had taken over him. His hand moved so quickly that I didn’t realize what was happening until he had a gun pointed at Sebastian.

“Oh my God,” I gasped, moving back and almost falling over the coffee table.

“Take off the goddamn hoodie, Rumor. Now,” King demanded, his eyes never leaving Sebastian.

I swung my gaze over to Sebastian as he stood up slowly, then turned to King. Much like King, the movement of his hand was so fast that I almost missed him pulling the pistol from his side and aiming it at King.

My hand flew up to cover my mouth as my heart slammed against my chest.

“NOW!” King shouted. “GET IT OFF!”

I realized he was talking to me, and I reached for the hem of the hoodie while my hands trembled so violently that I was struggling.

“Jesus Christ,” Storm said, sounding more put off than anything. “You’re scaring the shit out of her.”

---