Page 77 of King of Sinners

Her eyes squeeze shut as I hold her still.

I see the doctor tug at the exact moment she screams, the sound cutting through me as I drop my forehead to hers.

But her eyes don’t open. I jerk my face back, studying her, waiting for her eyes to meet mine. “Charlotte?” I can hear the fear in my voice, my hands tightening on the back of her head, but she’s completely limp in my hands. “Sweetheart?” Raw panic, has me giving her a small shake.

“She fainted from the pain,” the doctor says in this matter-of-fact voice that makes me want to hit things.

The doctor…maybe.

Leo. Definitely. I look up to see him still holding a wadded-up ball of bloody paper towels to his nose, his eyes wide. “Is she all right?” he asks when his gaze meets mine.

I snarl in response, ready to go another round. Maybe ten. He did this to her. And I’d go make him suffer but I can’t drag myself away from Charlotte.

I look back down at her, fear swelling in my chest. I need her to wake up. “Princess.” The nickname comes out in a broken whisper.

“Call her queen,” Roman says from the other side of the counter. “She’s earned it.”

The doctor comes back over, waving smelling salts under her nose and her eyes jerk open.

Relief makes me limp as the doctor sets some pills on the counter. “For the pain. I’ll give you a sling as well to keep the arm immobile. She should be seen by a surgeon to make sure she doesn’t need surgery.”

And then, he moves to Jackson, tending the cut on the old guy’s head.

But I barely pay attention as my gaze holds Charlotte’s. My thumbs are stroking over her cheeks, and I press several small kisses to her forehead. She’s still limp in my arms.

“I’m all right, Mason. It’s better now.”

My gaze slashes to Leo again, who has the decency to look pained. That scream was like nails on a chalkboard. And as much as I want to care for her in this moment, I’m aware that I am the source of her pain.

It’s my relationship with my brother that brought all this about.

The doctor is talking to Roman about Jackson’s care, as I look at Jake. “The doctor is going to give you instructions about Leo.”

Jake scowls. “Will his instructions involve how to break his fucking arm? Because I don’t think his nose is enough.”

Leo lets out a long breath. “I fucked that one up, I get it. I should have never tried to pull Charlotte from that cabinet.”

“That’s what you’re apologizing for?” My teeth are gritted and it’s only the doctor’s presence that keeps me from saying more. He might be discreet, but I don’t trust anyone that is not part of this family.

But Leo’s not done. “And when did my entire family join the Charlotte camp?”

Jake’s gaze catches mine, his brows lifting. “When Mason decided to marry her.”

Charlotte starts, her muscles gaining some rigidity. “We’re not getting married.”

“I know you’re angry with me,” I start, wanting some privacy with Charlotte. I’m not even sure I’m going to that meeting tonight. All I care about is holding her in my arms. None of my other plans matter.

In fact, leaving Las Vegas and this whole mess behind us is starting to sound like a good idea. Charlotte and I can go somewhere far away. I’ll start a new business. Just as long as she is by my side.

“I am.” Her eyes go hard with the words as my stomach sinks.

“I know I fucked up?—”

“You did.”

“Is this about forgiveness, then? Apologies? Explanations? Whatever you need…” I’m still holding her head in my hands as I start massaging small circles on her cheeks. I’ll grovel. I’ll beg. I just need her to listen.

“Yes… but also…” She’s relaxing back in my hands. “You haven’t actually asked yet.”

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