Page 218 of Sinful Pleasure

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, even though I knew he didn’t deserve my sympathy. Mikael is not a good man, and he doesn’t deserve mercy, but he’s still my father—a fact that can’t be undone.

“I did all of this because I love you so damn much, Allyn,” he said, his voice heavy with remorse.

“You sided with the very person you were supposed to protect me from, Mikael,” I spat, watching him clamp his mouth shut. “Maddox was the one who stood by me, always protecting me. He’s not the monster in this story.”

You are.I wanted to scream those words at him, but the look on his face told me he already knew.

“I’m sorry, Allyn. I truly am,” he said. “If I could go back in time and fix it, I would.”

“You’re only saying that because your life is on the line.”

“I’m saying it because I mean it,” he interrupted quickly. “I don’t care if I die—I deserve it.”

I fell silent. We both knew the truth—he deserved it. My father isn’t a good person or a good man. Just like Martin King.

“He really cares about you and I see it now,” he muttered, almost to himself. “I didn’t think it was possible for a King, but he was willing to sacrifice his life for you without a second thought.”

“He always put my life before his, Mikael. He always looked after me, protected me. You just couldn’t swallow the fact that I had feelings for him.”

“That’s right,” he nodded.

“Like it or not, I stand by my word,” I replied, my voice sharp and cold. “I hope he comes back alive and well— because if he doesn’t, I promise you, you will die by my hand.”

“I’d rather die by your hand than anyone else’s.”

I let the silence fill the room as we stared at each other from a distance. It’s hard to believe a single word coming out of his mouth after everything he’s done, but a small part of me wants to believe him so badly.

Minute after minute passed, and it felt like hours before the silence was broken by someone entering the room with a bang.

Mikael and I both turned to the door, where Angelo King stood in the doorway, in all his glory. My mouth hung open, shocked, to say the least. Mikael didn’t seem fazed at all.

I hadn’t seen Angelo since the last time he was in the house, beaten up by Maddox.

When we…

Just the memory of it made my cheeks flush as my eyes landed on him.

What the hell is he doing here?

But the answer followed inexorably. My heart hammered against my chest in relief when Maddox appeared behind Angelo.

Our eyes locked, and it felt as though a weight lifted from my chest, seeing him safe and sound, without a scratch on him. His dark eyes softened when he noticed me.

Tears began to fall down my face, and without thinking, I ran toward him, my legs trembling. Peace and comfort washed over me when he took me in his arms, welcoming my body to crash into his.

“Missed me, princess?” he murmured against my ear, and I laughed through my tears, inhaling his scent.

I felt his smile against my neck, and I’ve never been happier than I am right now.I pulled back just enough to bring our lips together in a long-awaited kiss, showing him just how much I missed him.

When he kissed me back, I knew that everything was going to be okay now.Maddox was here with me, and nothing will ever tear us apart again.

He shot a look at my father before he escorted me out of the room, and Angelo followed.

“You need to explain what’s going on. I’m confused.”

My voice echoed through the hallways as I walked beside Maddox, his hand holding mine, with Angelo walking next to us.

Maddox and Angelo side by side is something I never thought I’d live to see again.

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