Page 209 of Sinful Pleasure

This isn’t a meeting— it’s a planned funeral.

Maddox’s funeral—organized by my father, his father, and his sister.

“You’ve stooped this low, Mikael? Allying with the man who ripped me away from you? You wanted hisdeath for years, and now you’re with him?”

All those months with Mikael— I studied him. I learned his every move. We spent days, weeks, meticulously plotting Martin’s demise.

My father hates him with every fiber of his being, yet here he is, betraying his word and siding with him.

He’s the real traitor.

“I’d do whatever it takes to protect you!” Mikael roared, his voice cracking with fury, the vein in his forehead bulging.

Maddox’s grip around me tightened.

“I would do the unthinkable to save you from this monster,” Mikael spat, pointing his gun at Maddox.

“You’re the monster here,” I hissed.

Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

“A monster with no honor and dignity.”

“Can I shut this bitch up already?” Lydia’s cold, irritated voice cut in as she rolled her eyes.

“You so much as aim at my daughter, and I’ll slit your throat,” Mikael growled.

“Get Allyn out of here, now!” Maddox’s commanding voice shattered the tension, cutting through the chaos. He turned to three of his men.

“Guard her with your lives.”

My heart plummeted.

“NO!” I screamed, my voice breaking.

I wouldn’t let him stay here alone.

Not to face a death that was all but certain.

People say love makes you reckless. That it blinds you, consumes you. You stop thinking straight, willing to risk it all for the person you love. Maybe they’re right.

Maybe I love Maddox King.

Because there’s nothing I wouldn’t do or sacrifice, to save him. Even if it means losing myself.Even if it means I’m the one who gets hurt. I’ll gladly take the pain if it means saving him.

I lifted my chin high— despite the tears streaking my face.

“I want to make an offer,” I said.

Mikael arched a brow, curiosity flickering behind his icy glare.

“Oh, please, let’s hear it,” Martin interjected with a mocking laugh.

This man—this pathetic excuse of a human being—deserves to burn for every ounce of pain he’s inflicted. For everything he’s done to me, to Maddox.

What kind of father conspires to murder his own son?

My gaze snapped back to Mikael.

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