Page 110 of We Three Kings

No answer. I’m not surprised. She has to work out in her own head that she’s a dirty girl.

The squeak of the door ends my reverie, and I bolt in front of Seraphina not relaxing until my brother and father waltz in. Thank fuck.

I nod to Balthazar as I return to Rude for more bodywork. “Announce yourself first next time. I almost had to kick your ass to protect our girl.”

As expected, he ignores my admonishment and beelines straight to her. Dad comes our way, shaking Rude’s hand and telling me good job.

“I know.”

He rolls his eyes from my arrogance and smug smirk. But he’s not annoyed. He’s happy.

For the first time in years, he’s genuinely happy. Which I’m glad to see even if I never tell him.

Dad keeps one eye on Seraphina while he chats with Rude, getting pissed all over again when they discuss that idiot threatening to claim her as winnings. Stupid fucker.

All he wins is a permanent stay in our dungeon. Which is now full, thanks to Seraphina, keeping me supplied with practice dummies for a very long time.

The light in a room full of darkness, she has no idea how much she’s transformed our lives. Everyone of us gravitates to her like she’s our sun, spinning around in her orbit, vying to get the closest.

Even though I’m not fucking her, I still want my spot. I angle my head toward her. “So you’re coming back for the next fight, right baby girl?”

Her stunning smile, lit up all for me, launches me to first place more than any victory ever could.

“Yes, I’ll be there.”

When she tries to step closer, probably to engulf me in one of her famous hugs, Balthazar locks her down with his arms wrapped around her like an octopus.

All I do is laugh at his possessiveness. She’ll be in my life just as much as his so he’s going to have to learn to deal with his jealousy.

Seraphina

When I try to tug my hand out of Gaspar’s, he squeezes me tighter. I laugh from his obstinacy. “I have to go. They’re waiting for me.”

“I’m never letting you go, little one.”

His gruff tone ignites the fire always simmering under the surface when I’m with him. “I just meant for dinner. It’s only a few hours and then Balthazar will bring me back.”

Cyber Monday has kept Balthazar busy since the middle of the night. He left our bed at midnight, and I never saw him again all day. Since the law office doesn’t re-open from the holiday until tomorrow, Gaspar kept me busy today decorating the Christmas trees we cut down from the farm, but I still missed him so much.

Balthazar promised to pick me up at nine, and I know he will be prompt, so I need to get inside before Bree comes out looking for me.

“Your friend cares about you, but we do too. Don’t let anything she says make you doubt that.”

Oh, now I get what’s wrong. He thinks Bree will convince me to leave Balthazar and thus him. “She won’t. Nothing will change.”

A scowl still lines his face. I gently rub my fingertips across his forehead and down his cheeks to his scruff that I love. He presses into my touch as if he can’t get enough of my affection either. “Balthazar will bring me home, where I belong.”

Desire flashes in his face. “I want you in my bed tonight.”

There’s no way I can refuse. “Okay Daddy.”

My words wake the beast, and he attacks me, fisting my hair and clutching my chin. He tilts my head back, forcing my mouth open and plunges deep.

I can’t breathe, and he doesn’t care.

He owns my heart, my head, even my oxygen, devouring me in the darkness of my friend’s porch. I give myself to him, tasting the fiery desire he has for me matching my own for him.

This relationship is more than sex but right now it’s all I can think about.

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