Page 31 of Hostile King

In the stillness of time her presence has created, amber eyes lock onto mine as if she senses a monsoon building from the opposite side of the room. Those pretty lips I adore so much are stained with blood red lipstick. It’s out of character for my good girl, but so painfully sexy.

Her throat bobs as our gazes connect and then she looks away from me, her attention drifting to my brother. I’m left bereft all over again.

My fingers grip the edge of the table as I try to play it cool. The carnal impulses within me are hard to fight. I want to march across the room and snatch her away from André. To fuck her over the head table, so everyone knows she belongs to me. It would be that easy to claim her in front of these people and pull out my gun to protect her when the bullets start flying. Except I can’t breathe or even move.

I’ve literally lost the ability to think straight, and she’s the only thing ruling my mind.

Mother nods over to me, her wry smile not missed. Why the hell did they bring Carina to my damn wedding rehearsal? André winks, acknowledging my scowl as he weaves around the tables behind Carina who walks unaided in silk flowing to the floor, the very temptress to lure me further into Hell.

“Teresa,” Mikel strolls towards my mother and kisses her cheek once, then moves to the opposite side for a second peck. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.” When he turns to André and shakes his hand, I feel my insides convulse.

In a beat, his sole attention moves to Carina. “I’m Mikel. The bride’s brother.” After a wolfish grin, he slowly gathers her hand, lifts her knuckles, and places his lips to the skin like Prince fucking Charming.

I instantly shoot to my feet, blinking away their interaction, unable to see anything else other than her returned smile. My temper ignites, short nails stabbing into my palms as my hands ball. How dare he touch her, kiss her…make her smile.

“What’s wrong, Tomás?” Bianca’s voice doesn’t soothe my demons, nor does her presence anchor me to her side. “Who is that woman talking to my brother?”

I don't reply, sucking in a steadying breath instead and tossing my napkin on the seat I’m about to walk away from. The speakers screech and echo around the room.

“Is this thing working?” Morales steps into view and taps the microphone. “Now that our families are together, I’d like to welcome the Souzas. Especially Tomás. The man who has vowed to marry my niece and join forces with us—to becomefamilia.”

I plaster a tepid smile on my face and nod in his direction. Bianca appears close to my side and snakes her cold hand around my bicep.

“May your marriage last a lifetime,” Morales continues. “And your love grow stronger each and every day you’re together.”

My lungs burn dangerously, holding in a howl of dissatisfaction. From across the room, I catch Carina’s fluttery stare and find myself frozen when she slowly turns her back to me.

“We’re expecting a nursery filled with babies.” The fucker clutching the mic chuckles. “Let our families unite, our blood blend, and our kingdoms prosper. Raise your glasses and celebrate the happy couple…to Tomás and Bianca.”

The crowd repeats his toast, and a champagne cork pops. Glasses reach skyward and a collective cheer rings in my ears.

“Tomás?” Bianca whispers into my ear. “Now would be a good time to kiss me.”

I’m drowning under the sound of the celebration when all I want to do is grab Carina and run. “I don’t kiss…or show affection. Now stop fucking touching me. I need to speak to my brother.”

I shirk her hand off and put distance between us. Through the uproar, I search for Carina, my gaze finally settling on the buttons lining her spine amidst peekaboo lace. While André knocks back a whiskey, Mikel rests his hand on her lower back, millimeters from her ass.

My vision blurs from red to black.

If his hand doesn’t move by the time I round the table, I’ll blow a hole in his entitled skull.

Leaving my fiancé to clink a glass with a bridesmaid, I move into the melee. I’m aware of the gun tight to my backbone and resist the urge to drag it free. It won’t take much for me to snap the trigger. Not now when there’s a siren in the room silently calling me to her sun-drenched shore and a duplicitous shark circling her for fodder.

I ignore the barrage of well wishes from curious guests and focus on my mission to either murder or maim. Whatever it takes to get the Mexican cartel’s prince away from Carina. As my determined strides eat up the plush carpet, I’m yanked by the arm, my tornado halted before it could wreak havoc.

“Tommy.” Shane bustles tight to my hip, angling me away from Mikel. “Do not lose your shit in front of these people.” I can barely function behind the rage clouding my better judgment. The more I resist his grip, the harder it becomes. “If they think she’s standing in the way of your wedding, they’ll eliminate her. Think about it clearly. This isn’t howyoudeal with business.”

I bare my teeth at him, knowing he’s right. Not only is he my family, Shane’s my best friend too. He knows the worst thing that could happen to me is to become my father. “Why the fuck is she here?”

His face contorts. “It doesn’t matter why she’s here, because sheishere. Tommy, you need to calm the fuck down. It’s either that, or a bloodbath with Teresa and Carina in the middle of it.”

I shirk out of his grasp, my fists curling tight. “Distract Bianca while I talk to Carina. Give me enough time to speak to her.”

Shane nods and turns away as Carina’s voice slips over my shoulder. “No, I’m not with André. I’m one hundred percent single.”

“Good to know. So how did a gorgeous woman like you fall in with the Souzas?” Mikel probes.

I rip my head around to find her, to hear what she has to say. Except my brother answers for her as she looks over at me, her frosted gaze chilling me like I’m nothing to her.

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