Page 54 of Thorns of Love
“Adrian was using her to get to me. Believe me, she was just Vasili’s sister until he figured out she was something to me. It was the only reason he used her. To get back at me.”
He released a deep sigh. When all this was over, I’d have to give him a long vacation.
“So now what?”
“Now we bargain with the Bitter Prince and help him become the king. It’s better if we get on his good side now and help him get there. He’s on that path anyhow.”
“How in the fuck do you even know that?”
A small smile grazed my lips. “Because I’ve seen Amon and Reina Romero together. And trust me, I know he will never let her go. He’ll start a war with his brother to keep that woman away from other men.”
The driver came to a stop in front of a large property. We were on one of the southern islands of the Philippines, Jolo. I fucking hated islands but here I was, meeting Amon on an island.
My eyes traveled over the horizon. The crystal blue waters shimmered under the sun, reminding me of my wife’s eyes. Well, if I died today, at least it would be to a good fucking view. Although I had no intention of dying today.
The large gate at the entrance slid open and the driver restarted the car, passing the statues of Shinto gods - Amaterasu, Susanoo, and Tsukuyomi. The rest of the driveway had cherry blossoms on both sides welcoming us all the way to the large manor on the edge of the earth.
Amon stood, looking grim and tall, like one of the samurais, ready to extract revenge. There was no shortage of guards around either.
Fucking lovely.
I’d rather have ten feet of snow than cherry blossoms and samurais right now. As the car came to a full stop, Boris and I exited it.
“Amon,” I greeted him.
“Konstantin.”
His jaw was pressed tight. His eyes were darker than midnight. Fuck! He was beyond pissed. He was furious.
As we stepped forward, Amon’s eyes flickered. “Just you.”
Boris immediately stepped beside me. “I’m coming too.”
“No.”
I always knew Amon would be a force to be reckoned with. Little did people know, but over the last two years, his wealth, ports, and empire had become vast and significant. His net worth was right up there with Marchetti and me.
Not that his brother cared one way or another. Dante always got what he wanted. Amon fought for everything he got. He earned it and that made him even more dangerous.
Boris reached into his holster, to bring his weapon out, but I stopped him. “Stay here.”
Amon turned around and headed inside, without waiting for me. A sardonic breath left me. It was rare for me to follow any fucker and here I was, dependent on a prince over a decade younger than me.
Maybe I was getting too old for this shit. Amon was much younger than me. Hungrier too. It was that which made a man more lethal. I really hoped he wouldn’t pull some shit because I’d hate to kill him.
“If I wanted you dead, I’d have seized your weapon,” Amon remarked, as if he read my thoughts. “And you wouldn’t be standing behind me.”
“Good to know,” I retorted dryly. “Although, I don’t have a habit of shooting people in the back.”
Yet, I didn’t regret a single moment that led me to this. To here. Because I got my wife. And our babies grew in her belly. I’d dig my own grave, over and over again, if it meant their safety. I’d do it all over again if it meant having her.
My only regret was that I didn’t take her sooner.
Three of Amon’s guards followed behind me. We made it to the opposite side of the house and sat on the terrace. The ocean surrounded the house from three sides, ensuring you’d never forget you were on an island.
“You have yourself a paradise here,” I said.
“Yet you hate it,” he responded wryly.
