Page 138 of Ruthless Creatures
“Listen to me now,” he says urgently, gazing down into my eyes. “If that ever happens, if he ever comes to me with that order, I won’t do it. I’ll disobey him. I’ll never be with anyone else but you.”
Struggling not to cry, I say, “But you took a vow. You told me you’d have to—”
“I’d kill him before I’d betray you. I’d burn his whole empire to the ground before I’d turn my back on the woman I love.”
That hits me in the chest like a wrecking ball.
I lie there breathlessly, staring up at his hard, handsome face, recognizing from his lethal tone and the fierce look in his eyes that what he just said is the truth.
I’m his queen… and he’d kill his own king for me.
But maybe this isn’t a random declaration.
Maybe it’s a plan.
Placing my hands on either side of his face, I say vehemently, “Don’t do anything stupid. Don’t do anything that could get you killed.”
His laugh is short. “Every minute of my life could get me killed.”
“You know what I’m saying, Kage. Don’t put your life at risk for me.”
Eyes glittering in the dark, he gazes down at me in silent intensity, until he slowly shakes his head.
“It already is, baby. It already is.”
THIRTY-THREE
NAT
It’s hours before I fall asleep.
I lie in the dark in Kage’s strong arms, listening to his deep, even breathing, tucked next to him, warm and safe. He’s on his side with one arm and one leg thrown over me, protecting me even in sleep.
He made me stand next to the bed as he gently rubbed lotion into each of my butt cheeks. Then he brought me aspirin and a glass of water and made me drink. He winced at the mark he left on my neck, but his brow smoothed when I lied and said I couldn’t feel it at all.
Then he pulled me down into bed beside him and instantly fell into a deep sleep.
He hasn’t moved a muscle in hours.
I wonder when he last slept.
I also wonder how this tragedy we’re brewing will come to a head.
It’s inevitable. I know deep in my soul that we’re a rudderlessship with torn sails in high seas, headed straight for a treacherous reef filled with flesh-eating sharks and razor-sharp rocks.
I feel it. Something bad is coming.
A storm is headed our way.
When I try to slip out of bed, Kage awakens, on instant high alert. His tone is sharp. “Are you all right?”
“Easy, tiger. I have to pee.”
He relaxes back against the pillows, rubs a hand over his face, yawns. “Hurry back.”
I use the bathroom and come back to bed, crawling under the covers beside him, lying on my side. He drags me closer, spooning me from behind, and nuzzles his nose into my hair.
Poking my butt, his erection soon makes itself known. But he ignores it, choosing instead to hold me.
