Page 97 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

The sight of his back and him heading to the door reminds me of that very moment in the hospital when he revealed my legs wouldn’t be permanently useless, and the costs were paid in full.

When his eyes are locked on mine, I can’t think of what to say to keep him here.

There’s obviously some form of urgency waiting for us downstairs, but then there’s this immense tension that hums for attention between us. This craving needs to be tamed for me to think straight.

Truthfully, I’ve never experienced this before.

This ‘need’ to be in one’s orbit because the thought of distance invites a blanket of anxiety that they’ll never be in your line of view again.

“What’s wrong, Sweet Precious?” he questions. “I haven’t left for you to miss me already.”

“You’re coming back, yes?” My voice holds a sense of yearning. Some sentimental tone that proves his departure, even for a few seconds, feels daunting to me suddenly.

It’s the weirdest shit to experience, but maybe I didn’t acknowledge the sensation before because it frightened me. To feel attached to someone’s presence, yet still be strangers to one another.

“Yes,” he firmly declares but proceeds to step in so he’s standing before me, right between my spread legs. He inches in enough that our lips are far too close.

I look at them. How inviting they are. I take in how his cologne wraps around me like a warm cinnamon blanket to keep me at bay.

“I’m here to stay, Precious.”

I’m expecting him to kiss me, but I’m surprised by how he lays his lips tenderly on my forehead and not my lips. Pulling back, he instantly chuckles. The sound isn’t mocking. It’s more out of amusement.

“Outside these walls, we entertain those unworthy of witnessing our rise.” He leans further in as his voice lowers to a husky whisper. “But in secret, Precious, I want you to experience what love is. That affection doesn’t have to be forced. Doesn’t require signed contracts and actions that appease burning lust.”

He pulls back and grins at my surprise.

“Boys frightened to lose what they need urgently play dirty to secure what benefits them,” he notes. “Men know they can’t lose what they have every intention of winning. They play to the rules of being a gentleman and reminding the world that their prize is waiting for them at the finish line.”

There’s always been an appreciation for the riddles and wise words he puts together that intrigued me. How they reflect his intelligence, but also prove how much wiser and knowledgeable he is.

Matteo Leighton isn’t in a rush to succeed and claim what is most deserving of his reign.

He knows he’d attract anything he desires.

That’s a level of power not many carry in this world, let alone our society.

The power of confidence.

With a slight squeeze of my thigh, he walks back into my room, allowing me to do what I need to. I hear him talking on the phone soon after.

“I left this thing on? I assumed you’d hang up out of envy. My bad.” The way he feigns his apology almost makes me laugh because you can pick up on the pure amusement in Matteo’s voice.

I’m assuming my phone was still on, but I expected whoever was on the other side to hang up by now.

Not try to listen to what’s happening on the other end.

Taking advantage of this time alone, I quickly do my necessities to look at least decent. I’m sure whoever is waiting downstairs just wants something quick, then after breakfast, we’d change and get going to school.

Thankfully, it’s a late start today, so we’re not expected to Leighton and appease all the gossipers with the presence of the new set of Ruthless Kings.

Ruthless Kings of Havoc with their established Ruthless Maiden.

When Matteo is back, I’m looking in the mirror, arms crossed under my breasts, realizing I have nothing to wear. I’m so into thought, I don’t notice he’s there until a light press of lips to my neck forces me out of my thoughts.

“Oh?” I blink a few times.

“You zone out when you’re in a dilemma,” he announces. “What’s wrong?”

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