Page 32 of Wicked King

He holds up his hand, tsking. “Per the conditions of our arrangement, I’m merely the enforcer, Jia. Show those men who’s in charge.”

CHAPTER 16

CHAINED TO YOU

Marco

My foot taps out a beat on the old wooden floor, my knee bouncing so damned high I cross my leg over it to conceal the nervous tell. The doc sits with Guo and Jia in her bedroom, finishing up the last few stitches across the old man’s temple. I bring the bottle of water to my mouth and gulp it down, wishing it were something stronger. My damned nerves are frazzled, and there’s nothing like a good whiskey to settle the raging storm.

Fuck. I don’t remember the last time I was this worked up.

The look in Jia’s eye while that asshole held a knife to her throat would be permanently carved into my subconscious. Cazzo, I hadn’t felt fear like that in ages. I may not like the woman very much, but she is mine. Mine to claim, mine to possess, and above all, mine to protect. Engaged for less than a day and already some pezzo di merda is trying to take her away from me?

My blood boils for retribution, for Lei Wang’s head on a fucking pike. But it’s essential the Four Seas learn to respect Jia as their leader, and it’ll never happen if I step in guns blazing. Which is exactly what I want to do right now. I want to light up the night with flames while the stench of burned bodies fills the air, their screams echoing across China Town. No one fucks with my future wife without becoming intimately acquainted with my gun.

I glance down at my hands, at the bloodied half-moons that have appeared across my palms. Damn it. Unclenching my fists, I wipe off the trickle of crimson on my slacks. Approaching footsteps lift my gaze to Dr. Pacetti and the oversized medical bag in his hand.

“Mr. Guo seems fine, but it’s likely he suffered a concussion from the blow to the head. He should be monitored for the next forty-eight hours, and if his condition worsens, he should be immediately taken to the ER.” He lifts a dark brow. “Can you do that Mr. Rossi?”

“Of course, doctor.” I offer him a pleasant smile. He’s been working for my brother and me for long enough to know we avoid hospitals like the plague.

“Very well, then, if you need anything, you know how to reach me.” He pivots toward the door and shows himself out. His generous monthly retainer keeps him at our beck and call, and the wad of cash we shell out is more than what he makes in a year at his private practice.

Jia emerges from behind the graffitied wall in a FIT sweatshirt and yoga pants. It’s the first time I’ve seen her without makeup and her hair wild and loose. Casual looks good on her, despite the pinched expression. My gaze lands on the scratch across her throat and that need for revenge bubbles up like fiery, molten lava. She must notice my reaction because her fingers come to her neck, slowly drifting across the wound.

“It’s nothing,” she murmurs.

“Did you let the doc look at it?”

“It’s just a scratch, Marco.”

It could have been worse, so much worse. Pools of crimson seep into my vision, and I blink quickly before the past can threaten to pull me under.

“Are you really okay?” The question I’ve been meaning to ask since I put down the Four Seas bastard finally emerges.

“I already said it’s nothing.”

“That’s not what I mean. There’s more than just the physical part of the assault.”

Jia waves a nonchalant hand. “It’s nothing I can’t deal with.” A yawn parts her lips, and she claps her hand over her mouth. “I’m exhausted.” She ticks her head at the tattered couch I’m sprawled across. “And you’re sitting on my bed.”

I scoot over and toss her one of my million-dollar trademark smiles that has women consistently falling to their knees. “I’m good with sharing.”

She snorts and attempts to shoo me off, but I hold my ground. “I don’t think so.”

“If you think I’m leaving you unprotected after what just happened, you’ve got another thing coming, spitfire.”

“If you’re worried about my safety, just leave me your gun, and I’ll be fine.” She eyes my handgun, dark eyes glittering.

“Not happening.”

Jia slams her hands on her hips and glares down at me. “You are not spending the night in my apartment.”

“Yes, I am.”

She lets out a string of curses in Mandarin and damn, it’s one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen coming out of that prim and proper little mouth.

I stand and loom over her, doing my best impression of my brother. Of the two of us, he’s definitely the more intimidating one. “You better lower your voice or you’ll wake your grandfather, and I’m fairly certain he’d agree with me.”

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