Page 76 of Wicked King

“Marco, if it is, you have to take me.” She erases the space between us and jabs a dainty finger at my chest.

Guo, who’s been exceptionally quiet, shuffles closer. “Baobèi, let Mr. Rossi attend to his affairs, and we’ll attend to ours. It is nearly time for me to go home, and there is still much that must be done to stabilize the Four Seas.”

Her mouth screws into a pout, but the threat of her grandfather’s imminent departure is enough to silence her rebuttals. “Fine,” she grumbles, eyes intent on mine. “So you’re actually going to allow me to leave the penthouse and meet with my men?”

“Fuck no,” I grind out. “I still don’t know if it was your men who tried to kill you.”

Guo raises his hands, stepping between us. “I agree with your husband, Jia. We will simply conduct a video call with the Four Seas Council. It is tentatively scheduled for two o’clock.”

I still hate the idea of Lei’s beady little eyes on my wife, even if it is through video. But it’s better than the alternative.

Jia glances at her watch and lets out a groan. “Fine, I guess that’s good enough for now.” Then she spears me with those starlit irises. “But if you discover anything that does concern me, you better tell me.”

“Of course, sweety pie.” I offer my best smile, and she shoots me a scowl in return.

“Keep working on those terms of endearment.” She whirls on her heel and disappears into the great room. . Guo throws a knowing smile my way before following his granddaughter.

I have to pry the soles of my shoes off the marble to force myself out the door. I simply can’t get enough of that little spitfire and her smart mouth.

The boardroom of the King’s empire is strikingly similar to the one in Gemini Corp. It doesn’t surprise me considering we’re practically neighbors, the two soaring, modern skyscrapers standing toe-to-toe along the mid-town Manhattan skyline.

As expected, my asshole half-brother makes me wait.

We’ve pulled the same shit with him and Luca, so I’m not certain why I thought this exchange would be any different. I drum my fingers on the lavish mahogany table as the minutes grind on endlessly.

Finally, when I’m about a second away from walking out, the door creaks open. Both of my half-brothers appear in the doorway. Luca, ever the businessman, is in a sleek dark suit, while Dante looks like he just rolled out of bed in a white undershirt and sweatpants.

How Luca trusts his volatile brother to run his empire is beyond me.

Neither speaks as they stroll into the boardroom, and it occurs to me I should thank them for the intel they’re about to share, but I just don’t fucking feel like it.

The Valentinos tower over me, so I finally stand and reluctantly offer my hand. “I suppose I owe you a thanks for this.”

“You can thank all of us.” Nico appears in the doorway and struts in.

What the hell is my brother doing here?

CHAPTER 36

A NEW PLAYER

Jia

“I know Marco’s up to something, Yéye.” I could barely focus on the call with the senior members of the Four Seas with my thoughts stuck on my sneaky husband.

He’s barely left my side over the past week unless it was something to do with the shooting. And with the way he zipped out of here earlier, there’s no doubt in my mind.

“Let him handle his business, baobèi, and we will attend to ours.”

“But it is my business, Yéye. Whoever it was attacked me.”

“Though that is true, we do not know if it was retaliation against you, or your husband and the Geminis.”

“Does it really matter? Aren’t we supposed to be one, united front?”

The hint of a smile glistens across my grandfather’s weary gaze. “I see you’re already learning what it means to be married.”

I shrug. It’s not like it’s been marital bliss… except for that spine-tingling orgasm I still can’t get out of my mind. But the past week has been surprisingly peaceful. I guess getting shot puts things into perspective.

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