Page 86 of King of Wrath

“Oh,” I gasp, my own body heating up.

It takes us close to an hour before we’re finally done in the shower.

By the time we’ve finished, I’m famished, but too satiated to move quickly.

Jake dries me off and then wraps me in a towel. “Luke and Roman went to get your clothes. I’m just going to find them and then we’ll get some breakfast.”

“Mmm,” I hum, his hands still on my body. He kisses my lips as he slings a towel around his hips and disappears from the bathroom. I follow, leaving the bathroom in time to see him open the bedroom door, two suitcases just outside.

“His and hers,” he says with a grin as he pulls first one and then the other into the bedroom.

My eyes widen. “Did your nephews pack my underwear?”

“Probably Roman,” Jake mutters, his smile disappearing. “Fucker is hellishly good with the details and usually very good at attending a lady’s needs.”

“So it’s just me he doesn’t like?” That hurts. I’ve been part of a family that didn’t want me before. There is a part of me that thinks Roman doesn’t like me because…I’m not likable.

“It’s Toni he doesn’t like. Trust me, if he packed your stuff and agreed to help you, he’s on your side, Nia.”

I don’t argue as I open the larger case and find my clothes. Pulling out some jeans and a T-shirt, I quickly dress.

Sighing, I run a brush through my hair, letting it cascade down my shoulders. I’m so thrilled to be part of Jake’s life. But I wonder if these insecurities will ever disappear. I’m not just marrying a man but his family too.

I have this urge to speak with my sister. She’d know just how to handle all of this. “Jake?”

“Yeah, baby girl?”

“Can I talk to Jess?”

He gives me a soft smile. “Absolutely. Let’s get you breakfast and then Roman can make the call for you.”

Roman. Great.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Nia

Jess’s voicecalms some of the hectic inside me. “And then Daddy went completely crazy and locked me in my room and told me that I was marrying this old man from Italy,” she says in a rush. “And that’s when Mike broke down my door and got me out of there.”

I keep listening as minutes tick by. Jess details all that’s happened to her since I left that night for my date with Gris. And though I had questions, somehow just hearing her voice has soothed some of the worry. “I’m so glad he was able to get you out.”

“Me too. Now tell me what happened to you. Mike says you’re not with Gris but with a Kincaid?”

I wince, not having thought this part through. “It’s a really long story,” I say breezily. “But Jake’s amazing and he asked me to marry him.”

“Oh my God, that is the best!” I’m glad my sister isn’t asking the details. “Mike,” she shrieks, “Jake and Nia are getting married.”

“Jake?” I hear a male rumble in the background. “Holy shit.”

I let out a long breath. “It’s a little complicated though because I don’t think Roman likes me.”

“Cause you’re Toni’s kid?” she asks, as though it’s completely obvious. Maybe it is.

“I think so.”

Jess hums like she understands. “Give it time, Nia. You’re really hard not to like.”

That might be the nicest thing she’s ever said to me, and I melt into the kitchen chair. The guys all nicely cleared out, retreating to their rooms after Roman handed me his phone.

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