Page 51 of Dark King (Advantage Play 2)

“And what about her?”

The room is so quiet, Dex’s heavy breathing is the only sound that can be heard as he waits for Kingston’s approval.

“Let me ask you something, Dex,” Kingston says carefully, lifting his chin to his sister. “Do you know who she is?”

“Of course.”

“Tell me.”

Confused, Dex explains, “She’s Regina Romano.”

“And who is Regina Romano?”

Dex opens his mouth to throw out a guess when Kingston cuts him off. “She’s the princess to the Romano family. She’s the daughter of Gabriel and Emilia Romano and sister to Kingston Romano, the head of the Romano family. Now let me ask you this. Who. Are. You?” Each word is as sharp as a knife, revealing his verdict without bothering to say the words outright.

I watch as Dex’s jaw flexes, and I can tell he’s biting his tongue.

“Answer the question,” Kingston pushes, his eyes laser-focused. This is the Dark King. The heartless King. The one that’s ripping his sister’s heart out with his callousness but doesn’t give a shit. I look over at Regina to see a single glistening tear slide down her cheek. Angrily, she wipes the moisture away, anxious to see how the situation plays out. And if I’m being honest, so am I.

Regina’s captor grits out his name. “Dex.”

“Just Dex?”

“Yes,” he confirms, refusing to be intimidated by Kingston.

Tapping his chin, Kingston leans forward. “And why is that?”

“Because my father didn’t claim me,” Dex growls.

“No. He didn’t. You’re nothing but a bastard. Regina Romano is so far out of your league that you’d be lucky to clean the shit off her shoes.”

“Kingston, please—” Regina interrupts, but Kingston cuts her off with a cold look.

“Regina, I know you have feelings for him, but have you ever considered the possibility that those feelings are based off who you perceived him to be when you didn’t have anyone else? You barely know him.”

“It doesn’t matter, King. I know that I—”

“Stop!”

Her quivering lips pull into a thin line, and Dex tenses beside her. I can tell he’s close to snapping, and part of me wonders if that’s what Kingston wants. We’ve seen his loyalty to the Romano family, but was it for Regina or Kingston?

“Regina, you’re dismissed,” Kingston orders. “Go to your room and wash up. Dex, if you’d still like a place here as a soldier, I’ll give it to you. You’ve earned it. However, if you plan to pursue my sister, I’ll tell you right now that you’ll be gutted for it. Understand?”

Regina storms off without waiting for Dex’s response, and my eyes widen in shock.

“Kingston—” I interrupt in an attempt to soothe him. He gives me a pointed look that dares me to continue, so I keep my mouth shut.

“Not now, Ace. I’m not going to change my mind, but if you’d like to discuss it further, we’ll discuss it in private. Understand?”

That’s something at least.

I nod.

“Good. Now, next order of business. You.” He points to Q who’s still busy clutching my hand like it’s a lifeline. “What’s your name?”

She doesn’t answer, still frozen in shock at his sharpness, so I do it for her. “Her name is Q.”

“I thought her name was Gigi?” Diece interjects, giving me a puzzled look.

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