Page 141 of I Was Always Yours (RCA: Royal Crown Academy)

Warmth spreads in my chest at the thought of her waiting for me to come home. If I’m not careful, I could get used to it.

Rhys warned me they were having a few people over but judging from Six’s text, it’s turned into a rager. Not that I mind, loud music and alcohol are exactly what I need to relax after an exhausting week.

Initial negotiations for access to their ports went well with the Koreans, but it’s just the beginning. I’ll have to travel there a couple more times to not only continue discussions so I keep up the appearance of furthering my family’s business interests, but also so I have those connections established directly through me.

Once I break off on my own, I’ll poach this contract before my father can finalize it.He’ll hate that, it might kill him.

I grin at the thought.

The car pulls into the drive and I get my first glimpse of how overrun the house is. People spill out of the front and side entrances and onto the lawn and driveway as music blasts loudly through all the open doors. Thank God our closest neighbor is miles away.

I’m out of the car and bounding up the front steps before it even comes to a stop, my luggage forgotten. I’ll deal with it later, for now I just want to find Six.

I do almost immediately. Unfortunately, I find her standing in the kitchen with another guy’s arm loosely draped over her shoulders.

My blood pressure skyrockets as my mood nosedives, violence rippling down my arms into my clenched fists.

She’s looking down at her phone, clearly distracted, but it doesn’t matter. Something vicious slides into my bloodstream at finding her in someone else’s arms when I’ve been dreaming of wrapping her in mine all week.There’s a hint of relief at finally seeing her, but it’s buried under the way my body vibrates with uncontrollable anger.

It roots me to the spot and fuels my sadistic possessiveness, forcing the temporarily dormant monster back to the surface.

Almost like she can sense the change in the air, she looks up and her gaze connects with mine. A beaming smile stretches across her face and she makes her way hastily towards me.

Her steps falter halfway to me when she sees the thunderous expression on my face.

She’s cautious in her final approach, scratching her brow nervously as she gives me an uncertain look.

“Hey, I was waiting for you to text–”

“Where’s your ring?”

The thinly veiled edge of violence in my tone makes her shiver. She lowers her hand and takes in her bare ring finger with a stunned expression on her face. When she looks back up at me, she bites her lip anxiously.

“I took it off when I was cooking dinner so it wouldn’t get dirty. I guess I forgot to put it back on.”

My jaw works, the muscle twitching furiously in my cheek.

“And the guy? What’s your excuse for why he had his hands all over you?”

My voice shakes with barely controlled rage and Six’s eyes widen in response. She takes a step back but I grab her upper arm and yank her against me, my grip bruising.

“That’s Jude, Nera’s brother. He came to visit her.” She places a soothing palm on my chest. “He’s just a friend, Nix.”

I snarl in response and drag her in the direction of my room, grunting a warning in her ear as I do so.

“I’ve told you you’re mine, that you belong to me. That no one touches you but me. But you still won’t fucking listen and if words won’t work, then I have to assume actions will.”

I shove her into my room ahead of me and then slam the door shut behind us, the lock clicking into place ominously.

“Wh-what do you mean?” She asks, her voice now the one shaking.

“Strip.” I order, my eyes raking dangerously down her body.

She stands in the middle of the room, just off to the side of the bed, but doesn’t move. I eat up the space between us in two large steps, crossing over to her and collaring her throat between my brutal fingers.

I slam my mouth down on hers like I’ve wanted to do since I left, but there’s now malice and violence and I know I’m going to ruin her tonight.

I know I’m going to enjoy every second of it.

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