Page 38 of River & Crown
Honor, a foot or so in front of me, didn't bother slowing his stride or opening the door to the room he was in. I saunteredinto the dark room, seemingly unbothered by Honor's aloof demeanor.
"Are we supposed to talk in the dark or?—"
My words dragged until the lights came on, revealing the huge wooden wheel at the opposite end of the room. Four sets of ropes were tied to the wheel, and to the left, different sized axes were racked along the wall.
"Oh, Honor the kink you have." I smirked.
Thoughts of being tied to the wheel, splinters needling my naked body while Honor's dark, hooded eyes roamed along my frame, looking for the perfect spot to inflict his pain. My eyes fluttered shut as my teeth sank into my lip. A chill swept me, and when I opened my eyes, Honor was glued to me, not in the way I wanted, but in a way that made me want to challenge everything about him.
"You asked me to follow you, so I presume you have something to say?"
"I do. The money is straight. Rize will bring it out and put it in your trunk."
"Did we need privacy for that? I'm sure the rest of the group would love to hear?—"
"Cut the bullshit, Choyce. The slick talk won't get you far unless a wooden box is your destination."
"Then why are we here if not for you to hear me speak?" I quizzed, tempted to give in to my temptations. Honor's cologne engulfed me, clinging to my skin as a prequel to what his body felt like against mine. I badly wanted to silence the space between us, to breathe him in and allow the danger to burn my lungs.
"For the next meeting, let Kage and Talon handle shit for you."
"Talon isn't equipped, and Kage doesn't speak for me unless necessary. I'm still alive and kicking, so I'll be at the next meeting and every other that follows."
"Cool. I'ma have Wolfe and Crown come in my place from here on out. Lucian knows how to contact me when he needs one of his favors."
"Mhmm." I smirked, not liking how Honor was trying to deprive me of him for reasons I didn't know.
"That's not how this works. Yes, your brothers hold the same title as you... enforcer."
"Picchiatore." He smirked. "Still haven't learned the language of the people you want to be in bed with, huh?"
"Nope, and I don't plan to. They speak English the same as me. When that fails, blue-face hundreds will get the job done."
Scoffing, Honor glared at me, and for a second, I swore I saw disappointment flash in his eyes.
"New money isn't respected with these kinds of men.Blue face hundreds," he mocked, moving closer in my direction.
I braced myself, but I should have known Honor would never step fully into my space.
Remaining a respectable distance, he continued talking. "They'll accept the money, but they'll never respect you. The people Lucian runs with tolerate new money but respect old money."
I understood exactly what Honor was telling me. Knocking my father off the board was easy. Taking out the king in order to become the queen was going to take a little more thought.
"Thank you for the advice. I'll take it into consideration." Unable to control myself, I closed the space between us. I paused to see Honor's next move. He was unfazed. Nothing about his demeanor changed while my chest was ready to explode.
"I want to give you some advice too," I murmured.
Rising onto my toes, I hooked my arm around his neck, gently pulling his ear toward my mouth. My lips grazed his lobe, and a spark sent electric currents through my veins.
"You love her, I can tell, but what's love if you have to become someone new to deserve her? She's the reason you're backing out of meetings, correct? You don't have to answer because I know. If Navy can't love you as you are, is it really love or just a beautifully packaged cell?"
Slowly peeling away from him, I felt his grip on my neck. He squeezed, probably thinking I'd plead for him to stop, but I welcomed it.
"Don't threaten me with?—"
His gun pecked me on the lips, quickly silencing me. Our eyes met, his void of emotion, but something still hazed in the depths.
"Say Navy's name again, and I'ma let my bitch rearrange your face. Love doesn't lack in my relationship but hate takes precedence in yours. Focus on your own shit. This is the first and last warning I'm giving you."
