Page 113 of Theirs to Rule

"Do you want to drive the new car home or the Lambo?" Kage’s voice broke through my thoughts, his tone lighter, as if the weight of our earlier conversation hadn’t settled heavily between us

“Tough one but I have to give the new car some love.”

Kage laughed, the sound warm and familiar, easing some of the tension in my chest. "I figured that would be your answer. Let’s head back home so I can feed you and fuck you."

His words startled a laugh out of me, cutting through the fog in my mind. “In that order?”

“Depends on whatever you’re hungriest for.”

“After driving this beauty, I’m pretty sure I’ll be craving you more than food.”

I was already picturing it, the way his hands would feel on my skin, the heat between us. It wasn’t just about the car or the thrill of driving something new. It was about Kage—how he made me feel seen, cherished, even as he pushed me to think harder about my choices.

Kage’s eyes darkened with heat, and he took a step toward me, his hand brushing against my cheek, but just as his lips were about to find mine, his phone rang, the shrill sound cutting through the moment like a knife.

He glanced at the screen, his expression tightening when he saw the caller ID. “It’s Seamus.”

His jaw clenched before he looked up at me. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to him face-to-face about breaking the engagement and committing myself to you. I need to do that, and make it clear what will happen if he tries to interfere.”

I trembled a little with sudden fear. Seamus interfering could very well mean that he took matters into his own hands and made sure it was impossible for Kage to stay with me.

Kage’s jaw clenched before he shoved his phone back into his pocket, cupping my face with both hands. “Don’t be afraid,” he said softly, his eyes burning with determination. “I swore to protect you, and I’ll do whatever it takes. Seamus can’t hurt you.”

I nodded, my heart hammering in my chest. "Okay."

He pressed a kiss to my forehead, lingering there for a beat longer than usual. “I’ll be gone a while if…”

"If what?"

“If you want some time alone with Dante," he said, his voice gentle, testing.

"You’re really all about Dante right now, aren’t you? I never realized you were such a fan.”

"I’m a fan of you and making sure you’re happy," Kage said, his expression serious. "As much as I wish I could be everything for you, I know I’m not."

I reached out and took his hand, his words sinking deeper than I expected. "I’m lucky to have you," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "You could have easily talked me out of being with Dante, but here you are, pushing me to make things right."

"Yeah, I’m a real catch," Kage said with a cocky grin, though his eyes betrayed the depth of his feelings—how much he cared, how much he wanted the best for me, even if it hurt him.

"You are," I agreed, leaning in to kiss him.

"If I could have you all to myself, I would," Kage murmured, his lips brushing against mine. "But we’ve got time for that. Just so you know, when we do get married, no one else is coming on the honeymoon."

"Got it," I said, still startled that he was speaking of marrying me so easily. "Although…" I teased.

"No chance," Kage growled, kissing me again, leaving me breathless.

Minutes later, I climbed into the driver’s seat of the new car. A thrill of excitement coursed through me. The car was powerful, and as always, being behind the wheel of such a car always mademefeel powerful.

When we got back to the chateau, Kage wasted no time, pulling me against him, his hands roaming my body as we moved toward the bedroom. The hours that followed were a blur of touches, whispered promises, and a hunger that neither of us could deny. After, as we lay tangled in the sheets, breathlessand sated, Kage slipped out of bed and headed to the kitchen. I washed up and followed him.

I watched him as he moved, the muscles in his back flexing as he prepared something for me to eat. My stomach growled in response, but it wasn’t just hunger for food. It was hunger for more—more of Kage.

We ate in comfortable silence, the tension from earlier dissipating, leaving only a sense of peace. Later Kage surprised me before leaving by presenting me with one of our favorite coconut cruffins.

After he was gone, the silence of the empty house swallowed me whole. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing, my mind replaying the conversation about Dante over and over again. In my heart, I accepted that Dante selling drugs wasn’t about profit. He was trying to save lives.

But how could I reconcile that with what I knew to be true—that drugs ultimately shattered lives. That they’d shattered my mom’s life and had been the means by which she’d left us, whether accidental or not. I pressed my palms against my eyes, trying to push away the images of how she’d looked when I’d found her.

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