Page 101 of Crown of Steel

He takes in a deep breath, and whispers, “You could have found yourself an easier lover.” His fingertips brush mine, and I stifle a sigh of relief. So much fucking relief.

The corners of my lips tip up when our eyes meet. “It’s a bit late for that.”

His digits caress the back of my hand, the touch featherlight. “You could have found someone who’s not your stepbrother.” His own delectable mouth pouts into the smallest of smiles,making my own lips curve a little more while my heart keeps on thundering.

“Now where would be the fun in that?”

His long, slender fingers curl over mine and squeeze. He cocks his head. “Someone who’s not your competitor?”

“I prefer ally,” I smoothe. He lets out a chuckle, the sound a little breathy. Perhaps he is feeling as relieved as I am.

“Have you lost your wickedness?” He asks. I suck in my bottom lip and his gaze drops to catch the moment. Then he flicks his eyes back to mine. “Well?”

“Oh, I can assure you,chaton, that I have not lost my wickedness. Nor my appetite for challenges. And I am determined to share all my deviant tastes with you. But—” I jerk my chin toward the looming prison. “There’s someone in there who deserves the wickedness in me more.”

Régis’s fingers squeeze mine again while his chest expands from the deep breath he inhales. His body shudders when he exhales, and he nods. Then, “I’m ready. Let’s get this over with.”

I raise his hand swiftly while dropping a kiss onto the delicate, smooth skin before he can pull away. Then I let out a howl and rush to open the door. “That’s the spirit.” Régis scoffs behind me, but I ignore it. I’m too fucking elated to care. This is the moment I have been waiting for ever since I caught Régis trapped in his past in that horrifying cage. No, scratch that, when Régis walked into my life with that haunted look in his eyes.

Payback’s a bitch, and I’ll make sure that we’ll fill our cups with that luscious potion of vengeance.

Security checks our ID, then searches us extensively before they let us deeper into the prison.

“I thought we came during visiting hours?” I ask Amadou, who leads our tiny group with confident strides, looking every bit the tough, protective bodyguard he is. Turning over hisshoulder, he offers me a striking grin with shiny white teeth that light up his entire face. “You know your father.”

“Visiting hour finished an hour ago,” a young prison guard supplies from behind us. There are several other guards shielding us as we make our way through the corridors, where noises from inmates are slowly growing stronger with each turn. There’s a banging sound, repetitive and threatening, accompanied by hoots and shouts. A buzzing sound echoes through the building, and I can feel Régis tense in my hand.

“It’s just standard procedure,” the young officer says. “It might sound a little scary when you’re not used to it.”

“What’s happening?” Régis finally asks, when ahead of us, a group of officers come running through a different part of the corridor.

“Fight,” the guard in the front says, then gestures to the door on the left. We all come to a stop. The rest of the wardens step away from us, and the guard with the keys in hand turns to face Régis.

“Mister Deveraux, you have ten minutes with him. He’s restrained, so he can’t hurt you.”

Régis shudders, then lets out a restrained chuckle. “Why would he hurt me? He’s my Dad.” The guards blink at each other.

“Updated prison policy,” the warden with the keys nods. “Also, just so you’re aware, there are cameras everywhere, so you won’t really be alone.”

“Oh, I won’t be alone.” Régis looks my way. “My boyfriend will join me.”

Boyfriend. Not stepbrother, or nemesis. Or, what was it that he called me that first time? Narcissistic punk, if I remember correctly. I want to call him out on it, make a joke or something stupid, but now’s not the time. This is far more important. Him standing here, telling the whole fucking world that he belongs to me. That I am his boyfriend. I give myself an inner high-fiveand can’t help the way my chest swells at the meaning. Unfortunately, the guard shakes his head at that moment.

“I’m afraid you are the only one who can go any further.” His gaze sweeps over me, as if he’s sizing me up. Uh uh, dickhead, you’ve got the wrong guy.

“I believe Jean-Louis Deveraux called to arrange this private appointment?” I say, tilting my chin as high as I can. The warden nods.

“He did. But—”

“And you still want to go against his arrangement?”

The guard hesitates.

“Allow me to introduce myself, I am Arthur Deveraux. Maybe I should give my father a call.” This time the warden truly looks puzzled, his gaze darting back and forth between me and Régis. My inner devil purrs. “That—” I point toward Régis. “Is my stepbrotherandlover. Now, I will visit his fucking crazy dad with him together.”

“But—” The warden sputters, face flushing from embarrassment.

“You can always call my dad instead to clarify this little misunderstanding,” I send him a wolfish smile, “But I can assure you that he won’t be happy that his son was denied access. Not happy at all.”

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