Page 28 of Jace
It’s why the initiations work because we feel it; there’s nothing we won’t do, or anyone we won’t kill, for each other.
Ever since then, Nash and Vale have felt my pain. How I’ve been secretly in love with Vivian, waiting for her, keeping myself for her. The only sexual contact I’ve allowed is my duty to our queens, though they never push my boundaries. They know my heart has been breaking as I wait for Vivian.
You don’t have to fuck a couple to let them give you an intimacy that sustains you, a touch that keeps you going because you can’t be with the one you love.
That’s me with Vale and Nash.
How the hell do I make Vivian understand it without betraying all our secrets?
“It’s complicated.” I fail, but try. “I don’t fuck them. Yeah, we’re close, but I’ve been virtually celibate for over a year. And…”
Fuck, can she see it in my eyes? How I’ve been waiting for her? How I don’t know if it’s heaven or hell, how much I want her?
She doesn’t look jealous; she looks relieved. As if she’s been worried about who I’m with, and she needed my reassurance…
I only want you.
“And that’s what I mean,” I press. “I’d never judge your past sex life.”
Because, so help me God and my gun, it is in thepast. Vivian’s sleazeball ex-husband isn’t laying a hand on her again.
Gently, I hook my finger under her chin, lifting it, wanting her to find her pride again. “Was it consensual, Viv? Did you want the sex?”
Depending on her answer, I’ve got to decide just how much I’m going to kill him.
“Yes.” She swallows. “He asked if I wanted to try it, and I did. I’d only ever been with him. But I didn’t consent to the video. I didn’t know about it. In hindsight, I think David planned it. Like it was a trap he set for me and my father’s money, and now I can’t get out.”
“I’llget you out,” I vow, my heart drumming against my ribs. “Me and my men, I promise.”
“But how? I don’t want him dead. As much as I hate him, and?—”
“Can you trustme? I know it’s a lot to ask. You’ve been betrayed, and?—”
“Jace, you’re the only man I trust.” The sunset catches the golden flecks in her eyes. It shines a light on this warm feeling we’ve never explored between us, but good god, it’s here. “And if your men need payment,” she adds, “I can do it. I can unfreeze my father’s trust and pay you to help me, and?—”
“I don’t want your money, Vivian.”
I want you to be my queen.
CHAPTER EIGHT
JACE
“Fucking finally.”Grant puffs at my belated entrance. Sitting on his black velvet king’s throne, he’s chomping on gummy bears and being a delightful dick as usual. “We can start now that Prince Pussy Whipped has arrived.”
“Fuck off.” My eldest brother, Sire, scoffs on my behalf. “We all wear a pussy crown with pride.”
“Ahem.” Nick, our gay brother, clears his thick, inked throat.
They’re all reclining on their thrones, drinks in hand, mouths shooting the shit.
“Sorry.” Sire nods respectfully toward Nick. “We also proudly wear big prick crowns.”
Nick raises his glass, tossing back a vodka shot as I close the door behind me.
“And if you say another word about the pussyIworship…” Crossing the room toward my throne, I warn Grant, “I’ll punch you so hard in your prick, Delphine will bury its pieces.”
Brotherly death threats and love: it’s how we roll.
