Sinful Pleasure (Sinful #1)

CHAPTER 12

C HAPTER 12

ALLYN

“Mr. and Mrs. King are expecting you to join them for breakfast, Miss Delgado.”

I had just finished applying my pink lipstick when Lara entered my room. I turned toward the door to face her.

By the time I got back to the house last night, she was already in her room. I’d had to ask the guards to confirm it.

At least I slept peacefully, knowing she made it back safely.

“Okay,” I nodded, standing up from the chair. “Are you okay after last night?”

“Yes,” she flashed me a faint smile. “Are you?”

Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, as if unsure whether she should ask.

I offered a small smile in return. “I’ll be fine.”

Or at least I hoped so.

I followed Lara out of my room, down the grand hallways, descending the staircase, and into the dining room.

Each step brought my heart closer to imploding.

Why? The answer is simple— Maddox Freaking King.

The consequences of last night weighed heavily on me, and they would continue to haunt me forever. I was dizzy, yes—but not drunk enough to blame my actions on the alcohol.

I knew exactly what I was doing. And I wanted to do it.

That kiss.

That damned kiss haunted me all night, replaying on a loop in my head. My lips felt like they’d been marked—no, claimed—by him.

It was toxic, like a poison I had willingly let seep into my veins. How was I supposed to face him now?

How was I supposed to face Angelo?

Great job, Allyn. You’ve outdone yourself. Managed to make your already chaotic life even messier.

Lara opened the door to the dining room, stepping aside to let me pass. She gave me an encouraging look, but it did little to calm the nerves tightening my chest. I took a deep breath and walked in, greeted by the sight of the entire King family seated at the table.

The moment they noticed me, their conversation halted, and every pair of eyes turned my way.

Martin King sat at the head of the table, his posture relaxed and commanding. To his right was his elegant wife, Rosetta King, who sat beside Lydia. The King women were the only ones smiling warmly in my direction.

On Martin’s left sat Angelo, and next to him was an empty seat.

An empty seat between him and Maddox.

God, why are you doing this to me?

My gaze betrayed me, sliding over to Maddox as if magnetized. A flood of conflicted emotions surged through me.

And, of course, he looked up at that exact moment, locking eyes with me for a fraction too long before dropping his gaze back to his plate. His face remained impassive, but that brief connection felt like a seismic shift.

“Allyn, my dear!” Rosetta’s warm voice broke the tension. She rose gracefully from her chair and approached me with an effortless charm that only she could carry.

Wrapping her arms around me in a warm embrace, she smiled down at me.

“I’m delighted to see you again after all this time. As beautiful as ever.”

“Thank you, Mrs. King,” I replied softly.

Rosetta King was a stark contrast to the King family’s intimidating reputation. She was in her forties but radiated youth and elegance, easily passing for someone in her thirties. Tall, with a slim figure, blond hair, pale, flawless skin, warm brown eyes, and a dazzling smile that could melt glaciers.

She is not the mother of The King’s siblings, but she is Martin King’s wife. No one knows much about their real mother.

“Please, call me Rosetta,” she laughed lightly, stepping back. “You’ll be part of the family soon.”

Before I could respond, an arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me close. Startled, I looked to my side to see Angelo standing beside me, his presence strong and reassuring.

I couldn’t help but glance over at Maddox. For some reason, I hadn’t expected him to care enough to notice us, but there he was, his eyes locked onto mine once again.

His expression was unreadable, his usual mask in place, but I did notice the way he clenched his jaw before he deliberately shifted his gaze away as if I were the last person he wanted to look at. Rosetta stepped back with a gentle smile.

“Please dear, join us for breakfast” she insisted with a warm smile.

Angelo, pulled the chair out for me to sit. I nodded, offering a soft “thank you,” before sitting down between Angelo and Maddox.

“We hope you’re feeling better today,” Rosetta added, her voice tinged with concern. “Maddox told us you were sick.’’

I glanced at Maddox, but he didn’t even look at me. He just kept eating, ignoring the conversation entirely.

I turned back to Rosetta, nodding with a small smile.

“Yes,” I lied. “I’m sorry I couldn’t join you for dinner last night.”

“It’s not a big deal, darling,” Rosetta replied sweetly. “The important thing is that you’re feeling better now. Your health is our top priority.”

I didn’t say anything. I simply nodded in response, picking up my fork and starting on my breakfast.

The silence hung heavy until Lydia spoke up.

“For how long will you be staying with us?” She looked between Rosetta and Martin King, a curious glint in her eyes.

“Not much,” Rosetta said with a warm smile. “We only came to congratulate Angelo and Allyn on their engagement.”

I almost choked on the water I’d just sipped, coughing violently as everyone turned to look at me. My face burned with embarrassment, but I managed to cover the moment with a forced smile, muttering a quick “sorry” under my breath.

“So…” Martin began, his cold gaze shifting between Angelo and me. “Have you chosen a date for the wedding?”

“No,” Angelo replied casually, leaning back in his chair with one arm draped over the back of mine. His tone was as unbothered as his posture. “Why don’t you choose it? You arranged this marriage anyway.’’

“Angelo!” Rosetta scolded him, but Angelo just glanced her way with an unimpressed glare.

“The sooner you get married, the better,” Martin interjected, his tone final and unyielding.

I could feel the nausea bubbling up inside me. And Martin King only made it worse. The way he stared at me, so cold and detached, sent chills down my spine. His effortless dominance was suffocating.

So, this is where Maddox gets it from.

“Allyn isn’t even twenty-one yet, Father,” Angelo said, his irritation as clear as mine. His words didn’t feel like a defense—more like an added frustration for him to vent.

“Why don’t we change the subject, yeah?” Lydia interjected, her tone sharp enough to cut through the growing tension. “You’re boring me a little over here.”

“It’s important to set a date,” Martin replied sternly.

“And they will,” Lydia shot back with a raised brow. “Leave it to them.”

Martin’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he took a long sip from his wine, choosing to retreat into silence.

“Allyn,” Rosetta’s voice pulled me back, soft and soothing compared to the icy exchange that had just taken place. “Do you like Scarlet Vale so far?”

“Yes,” I replied, managing a genuine smile. “It’s a beautiful city.”

And that was the truth. The city itself was breathtaking. It was the circumstances that had brought me here that left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“But I’d like to go home for a few days— to see my mom.”

I immediately regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. Everyone at the table turned to look at me, and the weight of their attention pressed on me like a thousand pounds.

“If that’s okay, of course,” I rushed to add, trying to soften the request.

Angelo furrowed his brows, his tone shifting into something that was neither an agreement nor a denial.

“Why didn’t you discuss it with me first?”

I shrugged, trying to sound casual.

“You were gone. And I just talked to my mom yesterday. I’d love to go visit her if that’s okay.”

I lied. The lie came so easily, slipping off my tongue without hesitation. I hadn’t spoken to my mom in days, and I certainly hadn’t returned any of her calls. But I hoped that this little plan of mine would work in my favor.

Angelo studied me for a long moment, his gaze steady, before finally nodding.

“Okay, you can go.” His voice was neutral, but the way he said it didn’t feel like permission—it felt more like a decision he made without much thought. “Maddox, will you accompany her?”

My blood ran cold, and I swear the world stopped turning for a moment. Just the mention of his name felt like a death sentence hanging in the air.

Maddox didn’t respond immediately, his silence heavy, almost like he was waiting to see if anyone would question him.

He hadn’t said a word throughout this entire exchange—he was just watching, observing the mess unfold.

“Do I have a choice?” His voice was low, muttering sarcastically.

“Can I come too?” Lydia chimed in, her voice cheerful and excited. “I love a good adventure trip.”

I nodded her way with a smile.

“Unfortunately, I can’t be there,” Angelo added, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. “I have an urgent deal that needs to be closed in New York before the end of the week. But you can go.”

“So it’s decided!” Lydia exclaimed, clapping her hands, completely ignoring Angelo’s words. “We’re leaving tomorrow?”

“Only for three days,” Angelo clarified, his gaze shifting to me. “We’ll leave for Italy after that.”

For the first time since breakfast, something grabbed Maddox’s attention enough to make him lift his head. Our eyes met, and I could see that he was searching for answers in my face—answers I wasn’t sure I could give him.

“Tell your mother we’ll join you the next time,” Rosetta said warmly, giving me one of her radiant smiles. “I miss her.”

I nodded, barely hearing her words, my focus still fixed on Maddox. The brief moment of eye contact lingered, but it was Maddox who broke it first.

He looked away, his face as unreadable as always, leaving me with that familiar sinking feeling in my stomach.

Whatever.

I got what I wanted. I was going back home.

Even if it was only for three days, I was escaping this place.

*****

MADDOX

With each step closer to my brother’s office, the anger inside me built up—rising higher and higher until it reached a point where I could feel it seeping through my every muscle. I didn’t have much patience to begin with, and my entire fucking family was pushing me to my breaking point.

I was the last one to find out that Allyn was going to join Angelo on his business trip to Italy.

The stupidity of this family was reaching new fucking highs.

I burst into my brother’s office without even knocking, fury flooding my veins.

The sight that greeted me made my blood run cold. Angelo was lounging back on his couch, a naked girl kneeling between his legs. Her head moved up and down, and Angelo was guiding her by her hair, a sick grin on his face.

He didn’t even seem to notice me at first. But as soon as he looked up, still holding the girl’s hair, he paused. She was choking, the look on his face suggesting it brought him some twisted satisfaction. I wrinkled my face in disgust.

“Get her out of here before I put a bullet in her skull.”

“You always spoil the fun.”

His voice was dripping with frustration as he pushed the girl off him, watching her stumble awkwardly as she landed on her ass. I didn’t even bother looking at her as I turned my head, just in time to see Angelo zip his pants up.

“You could have joined us. I have no problem sharing with you.”

My fists clenched by my sides, but I forced myself to hold back.

The girl, her face pale with fear, trembled on the ground, her makeup smeared and saliva at the corner of her mouth. This wasn’t new to me, not by a long shot. It barely fazed me anymore.

Angelo just waved dismissively, as if the girl were a mere nuisance, and she scrambled to her feet. Her eyes were glued to the floor as she left, still naked. The door shut behind her, leaving us alone.

He plopped back down on the couch as if nothing happened, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and arrogance, as if I wasn’t about to rip his head off. He looked down at his expensive watch, an air of casual indifference about him.

“To what do I owe your presence at this late hour, brother?”

“Why?” I drawled, stepping closer, my voice low and dangerous.

‘‘Why what?’’ He raised an eyebrow.

“Why the hell would you take Allyn with you to Italy?”

I was no longer even trying to hide the anger in my voice. Angelo leaned back, a smirk on his face that made my blood boil.

“She’s my future wife, and if I want the world to believe that, I have to take her with me to places.”

“That doesn’t mean dragging her into the lair of the most dangerous and ruthless men in the fucking world, idiot.” I snapped, now standing directly in front of him. My fists were clenched at my sides.

Angelo feigned indifference, but I could see through him. He was trying to act unbothered, trying to remain in control, but deep down, I knew he was rattled.

He’s afraid of me. Just like everyone else. I’m a monster—a psychopath. And he has every right to be terrified of me.

“You want to get us all killed?” I growled, my voice low, dripping with menace.

“You’re overreacting,” Angelo shot back, trying to remain defiant.

I didn’t give him the luxury of more words.

I grabbed him by the throat, squeezing tightly until I heard the wet sound of him choking, the same way that girl had choked on his dick just minutes ago.

His skin turned ashen in seconds, eyes bulging, gasping for air, but it was useless. He had no chance against me.

Oh, how I love the feeling of control. Seeing that look of fear in someone’s eyes—it’s the only thing that makes my empty days feel meaningful.

“Am I, brother?” I hissed, my voice cold, my grip tightening. His pupils were fading, the life in his eyes slowly dimming. “Because it seems to me like you’re making one dumb decision after another, dragging me down with you.”

The life in his eyes was slipping away, and I relished it. I wanted him to feel what it’s like to be powerless. To know what it’s like to be beneath me.

Just when I felt him on the brink of passing out, I released my grip. He collapsed forward, clutching at his throat, desperate for air.

“I swear, if you mess up, I will end you,”

“I won’t,” he barely managed to speak, still holding his throat.

He should be thankful he’s alive. He should be on his knees thanking whatever gods he believes in that he’s not lying dead on the floor right now.

I don’t feel empathy. I don’t feel anything at all.

I can’t even remember how many lives I’ve ended with my own hands. The number doesn’t matter. It’s ugly, sure—but it’s what I was born to do.

Without saying another word, I stormed out of his office, slamming the door behind me. If I stayed even a second longer, I wouldn’t be able to guarantee that he’d leave that room alive.

On my way out, I almost collided with two more of his whores, their hips swaying as they made their way to his office. Both were draped in robes—but nothing underneath.

The blonde one shot me a look that was supposed to be seductive—biting her lower lip, stripping me with her eyes.

If I wanted, I could’ve given a simple command, and she’d have dropped to her knees right then and there, taking me in the middle of the hallway without a care for who might see.

But I didn’t even glance at them. They didn’t realize it, but I was doing them a favor. I was saving their lives.

There’s a world of difference between Angelo and me.

He gets his kicks from these women. It’s how he releases his pressure. But it’s more than just the women for him— it’s the game. The power he feels from using them however he pleases. Kissing them, fucking them, sharing them with his friends— or his business partners.

I won’t lie—I’ve indulged in his hospitality.

We’ve shared women. More than once. But it’s never been about pleasure for me the way it is for him.

Sex, for me, is a transaction. A way to relieve the tension in my body.

No more, no less.

I like to fuck for my own pleasure, yes. But I don’t like being touched.

Ever.

Just the thought of someone else’s hands on my body makes my stomach turn. It’s not even a matter of pride. It’s a matter of control. I don’t want anyone near me unless I’ve given them permission.

And no one dares to cross that line. Not when they know what I’m capable of.

I haven’t felt guilt or pity for another human being in a long time. These things are weaknesses—luxuries that don’t exist in the world I live in.

It’s kill or be killed. Simple as that.

But then again, I can’t stop thinking about one thing— W hy the hell did I let Allyn kiss me?

It doesn’t make sense. I don’t do this shit.

So why didn’t I feel disgusted when her lips touched mine? Why didn’t that little voice in my head scream at me to kill her?

Instead, I kissed her back.

I fucking let her touch me.

She’s my brother’s fiancée, for god’s sake.

That alone should’ve been enough to make me keep my fucking distance.

I need a way out of this mess.

And I need to get Allyn Delgado the fuck out of my head.

For her own good