Page 76 of Savage Little Queen

Levin rose. “I’m getting a drink. You want anything?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said, rubbing my eyes. I was stressed out with all this shit going on around us. I wanted nothing more than to get over this hurdle so we could move on with our lives. I wasn’t a heartless, emotionless prick. I was worried about Levin returning to the fold. Hell, I was worried about Drake going back because there was a higher likelihood of him being killed upon return. Then at some point, we’d get the call for Vin to go.

After that, I’d be left with Fallon and Bianca. Vulnerable to attacks. At risk of losing her again. I couldn’t. I just fucking couldn’t.

Levin gave Fallon the finger when he said he’d like a drink before leaving the room.

Vin started another movie then he followed Levin. I heard them rattling around in the kitchen for a moment before the smell of buttery popcorn filled the air.

I stared at my girl sitting between two lords.

Drake was a bit more behaved than Fallon was. Drake was probably trying not to piss me off since he was new around here, but Fallon already had his arm around Bianca’s waist and was nuzzling against her neck.

I breathed out and ran my hands down my thighs. The wraps I kept around my wrists came undone, so I ducked my head and quickly tucked the ends back in.

“Are you not healing?” Drake called out.

I glared at him. “I’m fine.”

“Why do you keep the bandages on?”

I glanced at Bianca to see her eyeing me, sadness in her gaze. Swallowing hard, I looked away from her.

“I’m ashamed of what I did in weakness,” I said thickly. “I don’t like seeing the reminders.”

“But aren’t the wraps a reminder too?” Drake sat forward.

“They hide my weakness. I prefer it that way.”

“It’s not a weakness, Dom,” Drake said solemnly, nodding to my wrists. “It’s fucking brave. I don’t know anyone daring enough to do what you did. Flip the script on the narrative. It was courageous, not weak. At least, that’s how I view it. Plus, it got Bianca back. I’m not sure if I would’ve had the balls to do that. I admire the strength and commitment to her you have.”

I licked my lips and peeked at Bianca. She gave me a smile and held her hand out to me. I got to my feet and went to her, falling to my knees before her.

My queen.

She untangled herself from Fallon and cradled my face.

“My brave king,” she murmured, kissing my forehead. “Never be ashamed of who you are. I admire you too, Dominic.”

My heart stuttered at her words. All I could do was nod, absorbing her words and letting them fill me.

“I got booze,” Levin said, coming back into the room with glasses and two bottles of alcohol. “Figured we’d celebrate as a group.”

“Is this your way of saying you’re going to miss me, Seeley?” Fallon asked, grinning at Levin.

“I was actually hoping you’d drink too much and shit yourself,” Levin shot back. “Imagine the leader of the lords covered in shit.”

Fallon snorted but didn’t provide a rebuttal.

Vincent returned just then with a giant bowl of popcorn and placed it on the coffee table while Levin doled out shots to everyone but Bianca.

I moved back to my seat and took the drink Levin offered. We all downed our shots at the same time. Vincent surveyed his empty glass with appreciation while Fallon scowled at his. I smirked, figuring the liquor was too strong for him.

Levin poured another round, and we finished those off too. It was like an unspoken understanding that this may very well be the last time we were all together if shit went south on us. It hurt my heart just thinking about it. If we lost Levin. . .

But fuck, staring at Bianca, I realized it would hurt her twice as much because she could lose Drake in addition to Levin.

That couldn’t happen.

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