Page 4 of Wicked King

Jianjun scowls, his glare of disapproval reminding me too much of my father. “It is tradition, Jia, and we will uphold it.”

“Then I formally request an audience with the Triad council,” Lei announces.

The old male shakes his head and blows out a frustrated breath. “Fine, Lei. Your request has been noted.” Then he turns to me, that frown carving deeper into his wrinkled jowl. “As heir of the Four Seas, you will be required to attend the meeting as well.”

“Can’t I just tell you my vote now?”

“No,” Hao and Jianjun bark in unison. “We will preserve our traditions,” Jianjun adds. “We will inform both of you when the meeting has been scheduled.”

I can’t help the dramatic eyeroll from taking over my perfectly schooled expression.

“And Jia,” Jianjun snaps, “in the meantime, I expect you to exert a firmer control over the Four Seas.” He shoots a pointed glare in Lei’s direction. “The proliferating violence rampant across the Lower East Side must come to an end. We’ve lost too many lives on all sides in the past few weeks.”

I nod, lips pressed into a tight line. I have no idea where I’d even start. I haven’t been down to Qian’s whorehouse—or rather, warehouse, since my brother’s death. “I’ll see what I can do.” I remain seated despite every nerve ending screaming at me to bolt out of this awkward meeting.

“I suppose we’ll have to postpone this discussion until the decision of leadership has been finalized.” Jianjun sends another disappointed glance in my direction. Finally, once he and Hao stand, I slowly rise and dip my head.

The elders file out of the room with their respective men trailing behind. Once they’re gone, I release the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. Well, that went well. The men of the Four Seas remain, lingering behind me as I waver at the threshold.

Lei turns to me before I can gather my wits enough to take a step out. “You know, Jia, there is another way to get around this.” He inches closer and sweeps a dark lock of hair behind his ear, calling my attention to the tattoo along his left temple and cheek: a series of Chinese symbols. Though I can understand my mother tongue, I’m a bit rusty when it comes to speaking and reading it.

“What’s that?” I finally ask when he doesn’t continue.

“If we were to be married, we could rule together without anyone’s permission.” A creepy smirk pulls at his thin lips, and nausea claws up my throat. I’d rather run away than ever allow this sniveling rat’s hands on me.

My brother had already attempted to force me to marry one of the Rossi brothers to cement our reign across the Lower East Side. With the Red Dragons allied with the Valentinos, it was a calculated move, and a smart one at that. Too bad Qian died before he was able to force me into the marriage. Now with him gone, no one would compel my hand like that again.

Gritting my teeth, I grind out, “I could never impose on your kindness like that. Taking on a wife is quite a sacrifice.”

“One I would be more than happy to assume.” He leans closer, sidling beside me, and his hot breath lifts the hair on the back of my neck. “Think about it, Jia. I could finally accomplish what your father and brother never could: supremacy for the Four Seas. No more bowing to the Red Dragons or Golden Star, or worse yet, those barbaric Italians.”

I swallow hard, maintaining the pleasant smile on my face costing every ounce of self-control I possess. Lei Wang is a loose cannon. I may not know much about the Four Seas or their operations, but even I know it’s because of him Jianjun and Hao are so desperate for order to be established. My brother was a psychopath, and Lei is eager to follow in his footsteps.

“I will think on it. Thank you for the generous offer.” I clench my teeth into a smile, but I’m certain it comes off more like a feral sneer.

The kitchen door swings open, and a familiar pair of dark eyes lift to mine. “Yéye?”

CHAPTER 3

DELICIOUS PREY

Marco

“Oh, fuck, yes. Harder, Marco, don’t stop.”

A symphony of ragged breaths and moans fills Melanie’s tiny bedroom. I fist her long, blonde locks tighter and twist her head to the side so I can see her face as I plow into her from behind. She’s on all fours on the bed, her skirt hiked up to her waist and panties around her ankles. My cock plunges into her pussy in a mesmerizing rhythm, in and out, in and out.

Dio, that feels good. Nothing like a good fuck to clear my head.

My executive assistant was on her way into the office, as I should have been, before I stopped her. Living with your fuck-buddy did have some benefits after all.

“Hurry, I’m going to be late,” she groans.

I bend over her and nibble on the shell of her ear. “I think you’re forgetting who’s the boss here, Mel.” Grabbing a palm full of her ass, I knead her silky flesh before I yank my hand back and spank her flushed cheek. The crack echoes over our haggard breaths and she cries out, back arching.

“Yes, Mr. Rossi,” she pants.

“That’s a good girl.” Gripping her hips, I sink deep inside her then quicken my thrusts to a punishing pace. She’s not wrong; we are going to be late if I don’t hurry up. As enjoyable as this is, I simply can’t get out of my head today and the damned orgasm eludes me.

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