Arranged love

I feel tears sting my eyes. Twenty years and I’ve only ever had Luca on my side. And even he had his limits on how much he could protect me.

“Mia.” He sighs my name.

“Just tired,” I rush out. Trying to not get emotional. I’m finally free. But what now? Where do I go? What do I do? My breathing picks up, and my throat tightens.

“Mia, look at me,” he demands.

Tears fill my eyes to where it distorts my vision, and my chest starts to heave.

“Mia.” I hear him, but he sounds far away.

I’ve waited all my life for this, but I can’t help but think I made a mistake. Now Dillan has no reason to keep me. To protect me. I told him I wasn’t a charity case, but that’s exactly what I was to him.

“Mia.” He gives me a little shake, and I manage to focus on his eyes. “You’re okay. They’re gone, Mia. They can’t hurt you anymore.”

Of course, that’s what he’s thinking. Why would I be upset that they’re dead? That I’ve wished for something all my life, and now that I have it, I’m not sure I want it. He’s going to leave me, and I’ll be all alone again. Luca won’t speak to me after what I’ve done. So many people have died because of me. Shouldn’t I be next?

“Mia!” Dillan snaps in my face, and I blink as fresh tears roll down my throbbing cheeks. “I’m not going anywhere,” he states. Placing his forehead on mine, he lets out a long breath. My hands come up and grip his muscular arms, refusing to let go of him. “I’m right here, Mia. I promise you. I’m right here.”

EPILOGUE

BONES

I’M GETTING IN my car to leave Kingdom when I get a text.

Nite: We have a problem.

I sigh. It’s always fucking something. I never cared to leave this place before. Hell, I’ve lived here. The home I built with the Kings has stayed vacant for months at a time. Now I can’t wait to go home. Because that’s where she is. The woman I’m in love with.

Me: Where are you at?

Nite: Kink.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

I throw my car in gear and squeal my tires heading that way. Fifteen minutes later, I enter the club through the front door to see Alexa and Cross arguing about what most couples argue about-money.

“That’s too much, Cross,” she growls, placing her hands on her hips while looking down at the marble flooring he’s added to the stage.

His lips twitch, and he starts laughing. “You can’t be serious right now.”

“I told you that you’re not going to pay for all of this,” she argues. “Plus, who in the fuck puts marble in a club? Laminate or tile is best.”

“I told you-” He spots me walking across what will be the dance floor and nods to me.

I nod back and make my way down to the basement, letting them have their argument. She’s been fighting him all the way. Alexa and Jasmine went into business together. They both own the club and Kink. Alexa was to pay to remodel the club, and Jasmine was spending her inheritance on Kink. Then there was an accident at the bar Alexa originally owned here, and Cross stepped in to rebuild it better than it ever was. Alexa’s remodel was supposed to be done with a small budget. Cross took over, paying for everything one hundred percent, and he doesn’t do anything small, let alone cheap.

“I said absolutely not.” I hear Jasmine snap.

Seems everyone is in a mood tonight. “What’s going on?” I come up behind her in the hallway.

She spins around, eyes narrowing on me before she glares over at Nite. “Are you serious? You texted him?”

He crosses his arms over his chest, staring down at her.

“You fucking tattled,” she shouts.

“What’s going on?” I repeat, turning to ask the man that stands to her right. I know Nite isn’t going to answer me. Maybe he’ll help me understand what the fuck she’s so pissed about.

“She’s refusing my services.” He points at her, and she snorts, shoving his hand away from her face.

“Fucking children. All of you.” She steps into him, and Nite grabs her arm, yanking her back.

“Office,” I demand, and Nite drags her away. “Give us ten minutes,” I tell the man I had called earlier this morning, and he lets out a huff but nods.

We enter the office, and Nite places her down in the chair at her desk. Nite and I both sit down across from her.

“This has to be a joke.” She glares at me.

“Look, I’ve spoken to Hooke-” She rolls her eyes at the mention of his name. He owns the Kink location in New York. I don’t blame her for hating the sexist bastard, but his club is successful. And even though I’m Alexa and Jasmine’s silent partner-on paper-I’m not going to profit off this. I want it to be successful for her and Alexa too. “We need these security cameras.”

“Are you even listening to yourself? We can’t put cameras inside of a sex club, Bones. It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.”

I shake my head. “They will only be in the hallways. Not in the rooms.”

“No!”

My teeth grind. “This is to save our own asses, Jasmine.” I try to reason with her.

“They sign NDAs,” she argues.

“Yes, they do, but only the members. Not the company they bring with them,” I remind her. “And we need those cameras to prove someone willingly walks down a hallway and into a room.” Hooke recently had a lawsuit from a third party who entered and tried to say they were brought there against their will. The cameras he had installed show otherwise. Hooke won, and the accuser had to pay him.

She tilts her head to the side in thought. Her short red hair covers a part of her face. Just when I think she finally gets it, she says, “No.”

Nite slams his hands down on the table, and it rattles from his force, making her jump. He stands to his feet. “This isn’t a fucking debate! The cameras are being installed, and that is that!”

Silence follows his outburst. I watch the anger leave her face as it pales. Nite slowly lowers back down into his seat, and her wide eyes go to mine. I think she expected me to be as surprised that he spoke because that anger returns to her face and her narrowed eyes go back to his.

She stands, reaching across her desk, and slaps him across the face. “You son of a bitch!” she screams at him. Then she gets up and exits the office, slamming the door shut behind him.

I sit back in my seat, running a hand down my face. I’m exhausted. And I’ve still got one more place to go to after this. “You didn’t have to say anything,” I tell him.

He surprises me again by adding, “I know that woman, and you weren’t going to win.” He stands and turns toward the door to exit, mumbling under his breath, “She’s as stubborn as they come.”