Page 74 of Wicked King

The happy, flirty man disappears, and he snaps straight up on the bed. “Let me see. Did you tear a stitch?”

“No, I’m fine. It’s just a little sore.”

He mutters a string of curses, and that damned guilt rears up. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. It wasn’t you,” I mumble. “I just need a minute to myself.”

His head dips, jaw tensing before he slides off the bed and collects his discarded clothing. As he rises, his eyes meet mine once again. “There’s nothing I can help you with?”

Gritting my teeth, I slowly shake my head. Because the truth is I’m afraid to spend another minute alone with this man. After that groundbreaking orgasm, my emotions are all over the place. And I’d hate to do or say something stupid…

“Fine,” he grumbles. “I’ll see you downstairs.”

The moment he disappears down the spiral staircase, I flop back down on the mattress and heave out a breath. Why did I ever think casual sex with my husband would be a good idea?

CHAPTER 35

A MAD MAN

Marco

Circling the kitchen like a mad man, I slam cabinets, yank drawers open then closed, ransack the refrigerator, but nothing helps. I don’t know what I’m looking for. I’m not hungry, I’m not thirsty, but I reach for the coffee all the same.

A nervous energy courses through my veins, one I cannot control.

It’s been over a week since someone shot my wife and, still, my incompetent men have found nothing. It’s time to take matters into my own hands. Lifting my hand to eyelevel, I run my index finger beneath my nose. A full day later, and I can still smell my little spitfire’s spiced honey scent. Cazzo, I’m hard just thinking about my fingers inside her, those sounds I forced out. She can deny it all she wants, but I’m certain no one has ever made her come like that.

I’d worked late last night, and by the time I got home, she was already asleep. I snuck into bed beside her, and if she felt me, she didn’t say anything. I half-expected her to kick me out, but instead, a soft sigh escaped her lips as I curled around her.

Now it isn’t just my cock, but my damned heart growing fuller. The hold this woman has over me is dangerous.

Nicky clears his throat, the big guard appearing at the foot of the kitchen. “Hey boss, Rick just called. He’s on his way back with Mrs. Rossi.”

Mrs. Rossi. I nearly choke on a laugh. Jia would have Nicky’s head if she heard him call her that.

“Thanks,” I murmur before returning my attention to the coffee I just poured. The tightness in my chest begins to dissipate, and I refuse to accept the possibility that my wife’s absence was a contributing factor.

Jia was gone when I awoke, and I nearly lost my shit. Why she insisted on going to her damned boutique this morning was beyond me. Even with my guys and the elder Guo with her, I hated the idea. But she’d been adamant the day before, and I knew my wife well enough to know that forbidding it certainly wouldn’t stop her. So instead, I agreed like a whipped coglione as long as she took an entire entourage of guards.

I hadn’t expected for her to leave so early though.

She was clearly trying to avoid me, and her plan worked. A stupid grin curls the corners of my lips. She’s absolutely impossible.

My phone rings, jerking my attention from thoughts of my wife.

Jimmy. Finally.

“Tell me you have something.” I grit over the phone.

“I do, but you’re not going to like it.”

“Just spit it out.”

“Dante got a lead.”

Fuck. Of course, it had to be my half-brother.

“What does he want in return for the intel?”

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