Page 26 of Devil's Den

“It was three weeks before my fourteenth birthday.”

“That is insane, you were only a child. What happened?”

“I grew up fast. I already knew life was a piece of shit, and it didn’t get worse, nor did it get better. There are a lot of people who will lie, cheat, and steal from you in the art of survival. I learned several harsh lessons in life, especially not to trust. People only care about themselves and no one gives a true fuck about you.”

She couldn’t even imagine Rome as a little boy, living on the streets, cold and lonely.

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. It didn’t take me long to realize I had an edge against all of them.”

“What was that?”

“I’d already killed someone and I didn’t care. I had no feelings about it. I didn’t feel regret or remorse. My father meant nothing to me, and I also knew how to take a beating.”

“What did you do?”

“I built a reputation as being unbeatable. Underground fighting,” he said.

“You did that?”

“You’re aware of it?”

“Ben did a couple of fights, but he never got very far. He couldn’t handle the level of pain you needed to win one of those fights … butyoudid it?”

“Yeah, before I decided to go after the crown, I was then and still am the undefeated champion of the streets.”

“Doesn’t that scare you? There might be people who want to take that crown.”

“People have tried. Trust me, I know how to protectmyself. I’m always prepared for what is going to happen next.”

“Did you know about my brother?” she asked.

“I was aware of the trouble he was getting himself into,” he said.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“Don’t be.”

“Do you like being the king?” she asked.

“Yeah, I do. Even though there are a lot of people who try to fuck with you, none of them are getting my crown.”

Beth chuckled. “See, was that so hard, talking?”

“It hurt.”

She gasped. “It did not.”

“It did. How do I know you won’t use my past against me?”

He spun her around and Beth let go of him and pressed her body flush to his, tilting her head back to look him in the eyes. “You’re right, you don’t know if I am going to do that or not, but what I do know, Rome, is that I’m not like most people. I’m not going to use anything against you. I’m not going to break your trust.”

She had a feeling Rome was used to not trusting people, and she refused to become one of those many people.

Rome stared down at her, and she didn’t know what he was thinking. He got closer and she held her breath as he finally closed that distance between them, and then took possession of her lips. She closed her eyes, loving the feel of his lips against hers. This time as his tongue traced against her bottom lip, she met him with her own, touching him. Then, he pulled back slightly to look at her. She stared up at him, waiting expectantly.

Rome cupped her cheek and sunk his fingers into her hair, before gripping the back of her neck. She released a moan as he ran a hand down her body. One going straight to her ass, locking her against him. She felt the hard ridge of his cockagainst her core and she let out a little moan.

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