Page 9 of King of Ashes
“You won’t be able to pass my men.” I shift on my feet, infusing as much confidence as possible. Something tells me that if this man wants something, nothing could stop him.
“Make it a hundred times more difficult. I will still find a way. But you’ll soon discover that.”
“As long as you don’t expect me to love you,” I say haughtily to mask my wayward emotions.
His eyes drain of light, giving me a glimpse into his empty soul. “Love ruined me for good a long time ago.”
His misery resonates with mine, but it’s one thing to share a similar experience and something completely different to share your life with another person.
“It’s not a good idea, Vian.”
His lips curl into a wolfish smile. “You won’t know when I am coming. But I will take you from your home and bring you to mine.”
I burst into laughter. “You believe you can overpower my men and seize me? Wow, your ego is huge. It’s a wonder it fits through the door.”
He leans into me and brushes his lips against my ear, causing goose bumps to dance on my skin. “Enjoy your freedom because once I have you, I will never let you go even if it fucking ends up killing us both.”
The threat sends a shiver down my spine. This proposal was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. He’s too intense. Too much.
“I changed my mind.”
He clicks his tongue, tsking. “Too late.”
He walks away, and I glance back at the mirror, thinking I am screwed.
I fumble in my clutch to retrieve my phone and call Conrad. “Increase the security, more men patrolling around the grounds. We’re on high alert.” Hanging up, my hands shake on the device.
He can’t get to me.
He can’t take me.
He can’t succeed.
Something tells me this man is not joking, and he won’t stop until he has me––all of me.
My heartbeat spikes and plunges, and I palm my chest to calm the erratic movement. What did I do? I ask myself as I stare at my reflection.
I’ve let the wolf in. That’s what the fuck I did.
3
VIAN
It’s been a month of warring with myself to the point of insanity. My heart yearns to take her up on the offer, while my brain blares warnings of catastrophic consequences.
The years of longing have weakened my resolve—a famished man starved for any crumb while she dangles the sweet possibility in my face. I can’t control this deep-seated craving for a bite to ease the constant hunger hollowing my gut.
I would have sold my fucking soul to get her back, but her proposal leaves me wondering if her brain wrote me off as a potential threat.
It’s strange knowing the woman I have loved for years has become a stranger. She has no recollection of me whatsoever.
The man she’s grieving is me.
The engagement ring she wears, I put there.
Then our world imploded, and I had to let her go, watching her from afar as she rebuilt her father’s empire.
I am in awe of her silent strength and sheer resilience. Just as much as I loathe her cutting me off, I can’t fucking stop loving her with every sinful fiber of my body, with every aching beat of my heart.
