Page 72 of Revenge of a Queen

"Well, if you can't, I'm sure I can find more ways to tire you out," I tease, and the sound of her laughter pulses through me.

When she stops, she stares at me intently, "Thank you, River."

I frown, "For the sex?" I ask with a laugh and she punches my stomach and I grunt.

"No, you fucking asshole. For knowing what I need when I don't even know it myself. You have always been the best at reading me," she admits.

"That's because you have always been mine. You just forgot for a while and I guess so did I, but that doesn't mean I ever stopped knowing you or loving you."

She smiles again, "I love you too."

No four words have ever been more perfect and I just have to pray I will keep hearing them every day for the rest of our lives. Lives I hope we get to fucking live, with whatever tomorrow brings.

Chapter 41

ELLE

Ibarely recognize the person staring back at me from the mirror. I look nothing like the young girl who was kidnapped and raped. Nothing like the girl who came back to this town with a mission for revenge. I look like a woman, a woman who is ready to get her vengeance.

The silk red gown almost touches the floor, the straps are thin but tight, holding up the corset top. The corset is honestly the most beautiful and brutal thing I have ever seen. The breast part is cupped and encrusted in red diamonds that distract you from the ruby knuckle dusters hiding there. The bones of the corset hide a syringe filled with a heavy sedative and two thin blades. Both blended perfectly into the design. The dress then floats around my ankles, a huge split up my right thigh touching just below the red leather thigh holster strapped there, my Glock sitting perfectly inside of it. Robert really has outdone himself. I am only wearing a red lace thong underneath and I have finished the look off with a YSL stiletto heel. I had a stylist come in and do my makeup in an old Hollywood style type of way with my hair waved and pulled back on one side. A matte red lip to finish off the look perfectly.

I feel powerful, dangerous, and for once, willing to use my looks as a weapon. Considering I am walking into a lion's den tonight, I think that is a good feeling to have. I try not to fidget but I can’t help it, as powerful as I feel, it doesn’t seem to stop my nerves. A constant scenario of things that could go wrong is playing in my head on repeat. It doesn’t matter how much we have prepared, how many back up plans we have concocted, I am still brutally aware that anything could happen.

I pick up the red diamond encrusted clutch that Robert made to perfectly match my dress and slip in my red lipstick, keys, and phone. It’s showtime.

I leave my room and make my way down the hall. The carpet keeps the click of my heels from sounding out. As I near the staircase, Zack's voice floats up and I smile.

“Just because she knows how to handle herself, doesn’t mean she should have to. Watch her fucking back, or I will make you all disappear without a trace,” his voice is cold but completely sincere and my heart aches for the brother I didn’t grow up with but became part of my whole world.

I round the corner, “Can we not threaten my Rebels? They’re sensitive little souls, really,” I tease, and all of their gazes snap towards me at the sound of my voice.

Oh, holy hotness. The South Side Rebels in fucking tuxes should be illegal, or like, I don’t know an attraction you have to pay to see. They look glorious. They’re all wearing black tuxedos, with black bow ties, a red pocket square, and shiny black shoes.

Lincoln is wearing his black rimmed glasses, his lean frame looking completely beautiful encased in a suit, and his dark stare just makes him seem that much more stunning, yet dangerous. Jace has smoothed his hair into a neat man bun and apart from that and the perfect fit of the suit, his usual messy style pours out. He has the top button of his shirt open, his bow tie hangs loose around his neck, and there is a joint perched on his ear.

They both have big smiles on their faces as they take me in. “Holy shit, Queenie. You look fucking gorgeous,” Jace says, offering me a playful wink.

I move down the stairs, not yet looking at Marcus, as I know he is going to floor. Instead, I focus on Zack.

“He’s right, sis,” Zack says, taking me in at arm’s length before pulling me in for a hug. “You look beautiful,” he drops a kiss to my head.

I smile and then finally let my gaze collide with Marcus'. I feel that familiar inferno inside of me flare, just like every time our eyes connect. He is staring at me intensely as he takes me in. He has got his dark hair slicked back neatly and to one side, his suit is molded to him like a glove. He looks like a fucking movie star. He's frozen to the spot as his dark stare drinks me in.

“Marcus,” I barely whisper his name, but he snaps out of his head and steps up to me.

“Ells,” he swallows thickly. “You look so fucking stunning, baby,” his voice is filled with pride until he leans in and whispers into my ear. “I have a lot more thoughts, but they're inappropriate for your brother to hear.”

Jace snorts a laugh so I know he heard him. I hide my blush in his chest. His scent wrapping around me as I inhale deeply, taking one last moment of calm before we descend in the pit of devils for the night.

“Mommy,” Cassie's little voice squeaks into the room.

I turn to find her little body already housed in her pajamas padding towards me. “Wow, Mommy. So beautiful like a princess,” she says in awe and when she reaches me, I scoop her into my arms and snuggle her close. Throughout all of this, she is my safe place, my base, and the reason I do any of this. I would be nothing without her. She took a broken little girl and made me into a strong and independent mom, willing to take on the world just to keep her safe.

“Eskimo?” I whisper and she immediately rubs her nose against mine before pulling back and looking at Marcus and the guys.

“Is Marcus your prince, Mommy?” she wonders.

I smile, “No, baby. He’s my King.”

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