Page 41 of Wicked King

“Please remember how important this alliance is. I truly believe Marco Rossi is the best man for you, otherwise, I would not have entered into this agreement. It was not a decision I took lightly.”

I dip my head, familiar with this tone. It brooks no argument. “Yes, Yéye, I understand.” And I do understand, but it doesn’t mean I agree.

He cocks his head to the side, and a relaxed smile curls his mustache. “How are the wedding preparations coming along?”

My shoulders slowly lift. The truth is that I have no idea. Marco and his assistant have been coordinating everything. My only task is to find a dress, which I’ve completely put off despite Ari’s continuous pleading. I don’t want some fancy princess ballgown for this sham of a wedding.

Yéye’s hand closes around my shoulder. “May I accompany you to purchase your wedding dress? I understand you have yet to purchase it. And to be honest, it is a day I have long dreamed of, baobèi.”

My eyes sting at the sincerity in his gaze and despite every instinct urging me to say no, my head dips, nonetheless. “Tomorrow, okay? Ari is coming in a minute to help me with the shop.”

“Very well.” He shuffles toward the kitchenette and picks up the mug from the floor.

Embarrassment pushes my feet forward and jerks my mouth open. “I can do that, Yéye, please don’t bother.”

“But why should you clean up the mess if it wasn’t of your doing?” His knowing gaze sears into me. I’ve never been able to lie to my grandfather, and clearly after all these years, I’m no better at it.

“It may have possibly been a little bit my fault.” I drop down to the floor with a handful of paper towels and clean up the puddle of dark brown liquid.

Grandpa’s soft chuckle forces my gaze to lift. “Marrying a man does not mean putting aside who you are, child. And a real man would never expect that of you. You are strong—a bit too headstrong for your own good—but you are wise beyond your years, and anyone who doesn’t see how incredible you are, is surely blind.” He offers his hand, and I take it with my free one before he pulls me up off the floor. “Marriage is the delicate balance of two people who may not always see eye to eye but walk hand in hand.”

The problems between Marco and I are far more complicated than simply not being able to see eye to eye, but I keep that thought to myself. Instead, I nod like the obedient granddaughter while secretly plotting my fiancé’s demise.

Perhaps I’m looking at this all wrong. Maybe Lei shouldn’t be the object of my vengeance, but rather a tool for my freedom.

The bathroom door creaks open, and heavy footfalls beat across the old floorboards. Marco appears around the wall with nothing but a towel wrapped around his narrow hips. Drops of water dribble down his shoulders, but I force my gaze to remain at eyelevel. There's something in his agitated state that has my hackles raised.

“What’s going on?” I blurt when he rushes to his duffle bag in the corner and rifles through its paltry contents.

“Jimmy’s got Lei.”

CHAPTER 20

A KISS

Marco

“I’m going with you.” My obstinate fiancée blocks the front door as I tug the shirt over my head, having already slid on my boxers and pants under my towel, preserving my future wife’s innocence for a little longer.

“The fuck you are,” I snarl before I remember the elder Guo standing only a few feet behind me. I’ve tried to be on my best behavior around the old man, but his granddaughter is wearing away at my final shreds of restraint. Spinning toward her grandfather, I search for backup. “Surely, you will agree it is best if Jia remains here.”

“Jia, I believe Mr. Rossi is right?—”

“No,” she snaps, and I’m not sure who is more startled by her reply, her or her grandfather. “Yéye,” she continues, her tone modified to a softer one, “Lei has insulted me. As the laodà of the Four Seas, it is my right to be present when an outsider questions my men.”

An irritated growl vibrates my throat as I see the old man caving.

“And you…” The little spitfire whirls on me and jabs a finger into my chest. “You said you were merely the enforcer, and it was my duty to handle the Four Seas.”

“That was before that pezzo di merda tried to kill my future wife.”

She lifts to her tiptoes and, even though she’s still several inches shorter, glares up at me. “I’m more than capable of fighting my own battles, and I will be much more than just your wife.”

Dio, she’s so fucking hot when she’s angry. It took every ounce of restraint I had to walk away from her earlier when I had her trapped against the kitchen counter. If her grandfather hadn’t interrupted when that little wildcat poured her coffee all over me, I would’ve tossed her over the couch, spanked her ass raw, then fucked that naughty streak right out of her.

“Fine.” I loom closer, so damn close I can smell the sweet scent of jasmine that clings to her skin. “You want to come and watch me torture a man to within an inch of his life?”

“Yes,” she snarls.

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