Page 105 of King

He spins to face me, his cheeks dark red as anger fumes through him.

“It was you, Zina. We all know it was you. How the fuck do you think you can convince me otherwise. You killed my father and now you’re here to try to manipulate me too. But I won’t fall for it - I’m not him.”

I swallow hard and fight the tears stinging in my eyes.

“It wasn’t me - “ I whisper in pain.

“It was.” He snaps, trying to turn away again.

“Your family is in danger.” I shout. I’m desperate now, desperate to make him believe me. “I need help to save them.”

He turns to face me again, and this time there is a terrifying smile painted across his lips.

He stares down at me, an ominous threat in the way he stands.

“My family doesn’t need to be saved from anyone - but you. You are the danger, Zina. You are the plague that crept into our home and took our father from us. It’s you.” He says with harshly clipped words.

“Stop being so blind.” I shout. My voice echoing further than I thought it would.

He snorts.

“No. I’m not blind. I see more than you’ll ever know. And I see you, Zina, I see right through you mask, right into the darkness of your heart.”

I take a step back, shaking my head. I can’t hold back the tears anymore. I can’t convince him. He won’t help me - that’s clear now.

I have to do this on my own.

Santino turns away from me and walks down the aisle, but he stops, talking over his shoulder he says, “Don’t come here again. You’re not welcome in this holy place.”

The heartache makes me want to collapse to the floor and sob, but I can’t be weak now. Even if he doesn’t believe me - I still plan to do everything in my power to keep him and his brothers safe from the very real threat looming over them.

The rain is falling harder outside, but I don’t run to my car. I let it soak through me, wishing it could wash away my hurt.

I’m scared to do what I have to do next, but what choice do I have? None.

In the car I pull my phone from my purse and with shaking fingers I dial his number.

His name flashes across my screen like an accusation.

Emiliano Maritz.

My king’s enemy.

“My angel.” His dark voice purrs into the phone, pressed against my ear.

“Emiliano.” I say, my throat tight around my words. “We need to speak. Do you have a moment?”

The low chuckle that spills through the line, vibrates through my chest, sending a shiver down my spine.

“For you, my beautiful queen, I have all the time in the world.”

I shiver in fear but push it aside and speak boldly.

“I know it was you.”

“Yes, I believe we’ve already discussed this.”

“You threatened the Rivas brothers.”

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