Page 2 of Wicked King

“Start what?” Nico eyes me in that predatorial way he has.

As identical twins, I can usually read my brother better than most. Despite the icy mask he wears, to me, he’s an open book. And maybe now to Maisy too. I find that oddly unsettling. “Trying to guilt me into marrying Jia Guo.”

The hint of a smile curls his upper lip. Or maybe it’s a sneer.

“I’ve already told you, I’m not doing it.”

“You’re being selfish,” he snaps.

“So were you a few months ago when you refused her.” My eyes taper as I regard my brother. “If you think about it, this whole war with the Four Seas is on you.”

He waggles a finger at me, tsking. “Technically, it was Dante who fired the gun that took out Qian.”

“But it all came down to Maisy, didn’t it? If our half-brother hadn’t busted in guns blazing, you would’ve tortured the asshole to death anyway.”

“True.” He smirks.

“And, anyway, I don’t see a ring on Maisy’s finger yet. You could still marry Jia and end this.”

“Absolutely not,” Nico snarls. “I love Maisy, and I will spend the rest of my life with her. You have no one in your life.”

“That’s completely untrue! There’s Mel, and Laney, and the girl from the club the other night?—”

“Just stop.” Nico’s lips thin out. “And how many times do I have to tell you to stop fucking our executive assistant?”

I shrug. “But Mel does this thing with her tongue?—"

He raises his hand, cutting me off. “You’re only proving my point. It’s time for your manwhoring days to come to an end. For the good of all.”

A chuckle tumbles out. “I disagree. I don’t think the girls would find it good at all.”

“You better open the windows, Max, Marco’s head is getting so damned big it’s going to blow out the glass in the backseat.”

His driver laughs, then Jimmy releases a chuckle. Assholes.

“It’s not arrogance if it’s true,” I mumble.

“I find it hard to believe you’re that memorable in bed.” Nico cocks a dark brow.

“You’ve heard them moaning, fratello.” My twin likes to frequently remind me of our adjoining and thin office walls. “We could always swap places like we used to do when we were kids and see if Maisy notices a difference.” I shoot him a wicked grin. He’s so obsessed with his girlfriend he’d never take me up on the offer, and I know it.

“Don’t be a dick,” he growls. “I’d never do that to my little fox.”

“Lighten up, Nico. You’re no fun anymore.”

“That’s because I grew up, as should you.” His eyes narrow as they raze over me, and an uncharacteristic expression darkens his countenance. “What happened to Isa was a long time ago?—”

I raise my hand, cutting him off as darkness creeps into my vision. “No,” I growl. “Do not speak her name.”

He heaves out a frustrated breath. “Fine, but I don’t want to start a future with Maisy in the middle of a war zone, Marco. And I want a real life with her. I need to give her the happily ever after she deserves.” His hand closes around my shoulder and squeezes. “So please, I’m asking you to at least consider my request.”

Something about his tone and the dark shadows in his gaze tears at my insides. Nico has never pleaded with me for anything.

“Okay, I’ll think about it.”

CHAPTER 2

BLOOD OF THE DRAGON

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