Page 173 of Sinful Pleasure

But still, Garrett Stone was a coward, hiding behind my family and using his son as a shield. He knew we are one of the most powerful families outthere, and he’s the only one walking out of this deal as a winner.Even now, knowing where Martin King was hiding doesn’t feel like a victory anymore.

Not when the price was me.

I can almost taste Martin King’s downfall, and it doesn’t bring me any joy anymore. It comes with bitterness, because if I don’t think fast, Maddox’s fall is coming too.

Nothing could convince my father to spare his life—not even his love for me is strong enough to do that. He hates The Kings so deeply that, he wanted to wipe them from the face of the Earth.

And I knew Maddox was trouble the moment I laid eyes on him. I knew he was an uncontrollable fire, and playing his games meant I’d get burned eventually.

But still, I crossed that line. And now I’ve been burned— harder than I ever imagined.

He and I, were something and nothing at the same time.

We were something every time his lips claimed mine, his body inter- twining with mine behind closed doors. He spoke to me as if I was his and he was mine, even though I was promised to his brother. We were something in those stolen moments.

He gave me peace in a life full of war, taking my pain away with each kiss.

But most of the time, we were nothing.

Just strangers who knew each other’s bodies a little too well. He was my bodyguard, my fiancé’s brother—nothing more.

Almost. That’s what we were. Never nothing, but almost something.

My heels clicked in front of the painfully familiar door— guarded by three men. I walked past them and into the room, closing the door behind me. I forced myself to look up, only to find Maddox in the same position I left him in the day before.

Not that he has many options, being handcuffedto the bed.

The room felt cold— despite the warm weather outside.

I was freezing in his presence. He didn’t look up yet, though he could sense me.He knew I was here— he just chose to ignore me.

We sat in complete silence, him still ignoring me, making the minutes we had left together feel even more excruciating.

I took a few steps toward the bed, and as soon as he heard my heels approaching, he raised his head sharply, locking his black eyes onto mine. His gaze made me shiver, full of rage—crazy, angry, and callous—piercing through me as if I didn’t deserve to be in his presence.

“Don’t come any closer,” he demanded, his voice hoarse and full of malice. I froze at his command.

He fell silent again—as if waiting impatiently for me to leave.

That wasn’t the Maddox I kissed yesterday. The dynamic between us had shifted in an instant.

He wasn’t the Maddox who told me he wasn’t capable of hating me, because, in this damn moment, it sure felt like he hated me. He wanted me away—far away from him.

“We found out where your father is hiding.”

My voice echoed in the room, but it still wasn’t enough to keep Maddox’s attention on me. He shook his head, his lips pressed into a tight line as he looked away, clenching his jaw.

“Good for you,” he muttered. “Finally, you’ll get the revenge you’ve beencraving.”

My revenge. The reason he was in this fucked-up situation—beaten, tortured, and handcuffed.

“You don’t understand,” I said, shaking my head. I took a step toward him, but he shot me a warning look, signaling for me to stay in place. So, I did.

“Mikael will kill you.”

“Was that supposed to scare me?”

I wanted to slap myself for caring so damn much about someone like him. It was supposed to be just sex—nothing personal—and, oh Lord, it became too damn personal.

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