Page 90 of Kings & Chaos

I nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll wear it.”

There was a collective exhale from the Kings, although I couldn’t be sure Neo cared one way or the other.

“Just to clarify,” Rock said, “if you don’t wear it and something happens, it will be harder for us to get to you.”

I wasn’t surprised that he didn’t sayimpossible — impossible for us to get to you —because for some reason, I was starting to believe nothing could keep them from me if I really needed them.

And vice versa.

I told the voice in my head to STFU. I wasnotready to think about caring so much about the three men I’d spent most of my life despising.

“I know,” I said. “I’ll wear it all the time, at least until we figure out what happened to Emma and find my stalker.”

Rock came around the island to kiss me, his lips lingering on mine in a kiss that somehow managed to be both kind of chaste and super hot. “Thanks, kitten. I feel a lot better knowing we’ll be able to get to you if you need us.” He straightened and took the choker from my hand. “Let me help you with this.”

I lifted my hair, and he wound the choker around my neck. The gold crown felt cool on my skin, the velvet smooth and soft.

Rock stood back and looked at it. “Perfect.”

“It’s almost as beautiful as you,” Oscar said. His eyes were hooded with something I couldn’t define, but that something definitely made my panties wet.

I picked up my phone and used the camera as a mirror to look at it. I’d expected it to look strange — I wasn’t really a choker kind of girl — but Rock was right: it was perfect.

“Thank you,” I said, reaching over to hug Oscar.

For the gift.

For the protection.

For… whatever else was going on here.

I stood to give Rock a hug, then walked over to Neo. He was standing so still I almost wondered if he was breathing. A hug felt weird, so I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek instead.

I’d meant for it to be quick, but my lips lingered there a beat too long. I wondered if anyone else noticed it, but when I pulled away a faint flush was working its way up his neck.

He stepped away from me fast, like he was afraid of being burned. “I thought we were having breakfast?”

Chapter34

Willa

My body thrummed with nerves when Rock walked me to Psych the next day. Three months ago I would have lied to the Kings without hesitation.

Now it felt like betrayal.

I touched the crown at my throat while Rock talked about a new recipe he was going to try. I hated to admit it, but I was glad to have the tracker around my neck. At least the Kings would be able to find me if something went wrong.

Of course, they’d also be able to find me if they got curious and decided to confirm my whereabouts during the day, but I was counting on that not happening. They had no reason to doubt I’d be on campus, just like always, as long as I didn’t go missing, and that wasn’t going to happen.

Not today anyway.

Claire stepped out of the Psych building as we approached, right on schedule. “Hey, girl! I have that bag you wanted to borrow.”

I took the gold handbag from her hand and forced a smile. “Awesome, thanks. I have all these new clothes but forgot about bags.”

“Mi closet es su closet.” She smiled up at Rock. “Hey, Rock.”

“Hey.”

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