Page 264 of By His Vow

“King,” Tatum whispers.

I glance over, immediately hating the pity I see in her eyes.

“No,” I warn. “Don’t do that.”

“What? I’m not doing anything,” she argues.

“Let’s just go,” I say, throwing the door open and climbing out.

I crack my neck and roll my shoulders back.

Kian and Kieran are already here. I swear, they’re the only reason these events are bearable.

I’ve barely taken a step forward when Tatum’s warm hand slips into mine and squeezes in support.

It’s…nice. Having her here with me right now is a lot more comforting than I expected it to be.

Before we climb the steps to the front door, I glance down at her. She’s wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a simple blue sweater. It’s just a touch lighter than her eyes, and it makes them sparkle in the most incredible way. Her dark hair has been braided and rests over one shoulder, exposing her slender neck and the very faint mark I left behind last night.

I bite down on my bottom lip as I remember the way we moved together on the couch after Kian left.

Thankfully, Griz passed out in a Chinese takeout-induced coma, and I was able to have my way with my wife without being skinned alive by the fluffball.

My cock twitches as I vividly remember her sinking down on it. She was so wet and ready for me.

“You’re staring,” she points out as I navigate the stairs blindly, unable to take my eyes off her.

“You’re beautiful.”

“Careful, King. Keep saying things like that and I’ll start to get ideas.”

“Get as many as you like. I’m obsessed with every single thing about my wife.”

Her cheeks heat at my words and she averts her gaze, unable to hold my eyes when I say something so heavy. I’ve noticed her do that a lot in the past few days, as if she can’t deal with the reality of what is happening here between us.

“What are you doing?” she asks when I stop at the front door and reach for the bell.

It’s stupid. I know that I can just walk in, but for some reason, it just seems wrong. I don’t belong here. I’m a guest, so I ring the bell like anyone else would.

I shrug, letting her answer her own question. Thankfully—or not, I’m not entirely sure—the door opens before us to reveal my beaming mother.

I haven’t seen her in at least four months, but as always, absolutely nothing has changed about her.

Her blonde hair is styled to perfection, her makeup is flawless, her eyes twinkle with life, and her smile is genuine.

I should feel some kind of warmth and comfort from her reaction to seeing me—her firstborn child—but no matter how excited she is, all I feel is empty.

“Kingston,” she breathes, her eyes running down the length of me as if she’s looking for the differences in me like I did her. “It’s so good to see you.” She steps forward and holds her arms open before wrapping me in a hug. “I missed you so much. I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there last weekend. We?—”

“It’s okay, Mom,” I say before I’m forced to listen to her excuse. It doesn’t matter what it was; the damage has been caused already.

“And Tatum, oh my goodness, look at you,” she says, turning to my wife and taking her hands. “So beautiful. And so happy. Married life looks like it suits you.”

My heart pounds, hearing Mom say those words. I want to believe that she’s seeing the truth, but Tatum is faking it just as well as I am right now.

She might not be miserable at the moment, but I also wouldn’t describe her as happy. Terrified, maybe.

“Well, we are only a week in, so…”

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