CHAPTER 18
C HAPTER 18
MADDOX
“Did everything go as planned?”
My father glanced at me across the round table, surrounded by his men. Angelo sat on my right, zoned out as we had this meeting.
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms in front of my body, nodding.
“He’s dead.”
A satisfied smile appeared on my father’s face as he leaned back in his chair. I stared at him blankly, still annoyed that he insisted on this meeting. I was also irritated that the idiots he calls his “most trusted men” were present.
My father never had a good judge of character. His choice of company was questionable. Not that is any of my business.
“Good job, Maddox.”
I gave him a cold stare and looked down at my hands. The same hands that ended Ricardo’s life just the night before.
To his credit, he didn’t even look that scared when I pointed my gun at him. It was like he knew it was coming sooner or later. Karma eventually catches up with people. In his case, I was the fucking karma.
And I was nice enough to grant him a quick and painful death.
I could’ve had my fun with him, but I didn’t. If he valued his life, he would never have thought of betraying my family.
Ricardo isn’t the first person I’ve killed for this reason, though. There have been too many to count—too many to feel remorse for.
Loyalty is the highest value in our family. We may be monsters, but we still follow a strict code. Not just The Kings— but everyone involved in our world. Ironic, isn’t it?
I’m the one talking about loyalty after fucking my brother’s future wife.
I acted like an animal. I acted out of desire, and that’s something I don’t usually do. I want to put a bullet in my skull for letting this happen. More than that, I want to put a bullet in my skull for not regretting it at all.
But why should I? She wanted this just as much as I did, so I did what I had to do to get her out of my fucking system.
What I don’t get is why, after fucking her, she still haunts my thoughts.
Why does my mind drift back to two nights ago when her pussy squeezed around my cock so perfectly, so wet and ready for me.
Why do I remember how seductive her lips looked, partly open as I pounded her from behind? Or how her eyes sparkled with fire with every pull of her hair?
Why do I have her whole fucking face etched in my head as if I actually took the time to look at her— rather than at her perfect ass bouncing against me?
And the sounds she made when I was inside her — damn it, her moans are the most satisfying sound I’ve ever heard in my miserable life.
I almost came just listening to her cries as she screamed my name, begging me to go deeper.
And I don’t fucking get it.
When I fuck a girl, I never like her to spell my name, let alone scream it. Every sound usually turns me off. I find it annoying, even cringe-worthy, so I usually make them shut the fuck up.
But with Allyn, it’s like her moans were injected into my veins. It’s an addiction I’m only just now realizing— because her moans made me come harder than I ever have in my entire fucking life.
My cock is getting hard in the middle of a meeting with my father and brother, just thinking about that night.
“What’s the plan with The Romano’s?”
Angelo’s voice echoed through the room, snapping me back from my daydreaming.
“If these fuckers show up to the meeting in Italy, we’re screwed.”
“They won’t,” my father answered without hesitation, waving his hand nonchalantly.
“How do you know?” Angelo asked immediately, earning approving glances from my father’s men. Our father’s face showed irritation.
The Romano’s are a delicate subject, mostly because they’re our biggest rivals. It’s been like this for ages. They are no less powerful than us, but I wouldn’t say they’re much of a threat anymore.
Our family is still the top power in the world. We’ve earned it—some will say fair and square, others will say through dirty means with blood on our hands.
Both will be true.
But for some reason, my father is afraid of The Romano’s.
I know fear all too well to not recognize it. I’ve seen it in the eyes of thousands of people, begging for their lives before I take them.
And my father is afraid.
“Instead of worrying about that, start thinking about your fucking wedding,” my dad snapped, making Angelo roll his eyes in annoyance as he leaned back in his chair.
“I want it to happen as soon as possible.”
I grimaced, though I didn’t even know why. I glanced at Angelo.
“Can’t you let me breathe for a second?”
“You’re going to marry her the day she turns twenty-one, and that’s the end of the discussion.”
My father didn’t leave room for hesitation, rising from his chair. The idiots he calls men stood up around him like obedient puppies.
My brother’s face soured, but he still nodded, accepting what my father said—and his fate.
Of course, he will. He’s just one of his puppets, after all.
I stood up from my seat, leaving Angelo and my father to deal with their bullshit. It’s not like I’m needed—or wanted—there unless there’s a dirty job for me to do.
Angelo’s leaving for Italy tonight.
I can’t help but think about how my brother will screw up this meeting, just like he screws up everything else in his life.
*****
ALLYN
I made it my goal for today to cook the most delicious, mouthwatering pasta. And that’s coming from someone who has no clue how to cook.
I found a recipe online, and Lara is sitting in one of the kitchen chairs— more for moral support to make sure I don’t mess everything up. I told her I wanted to try and do it myself, even though she offered to help.
I’m back at The King’s residence, and as usual, I’m bored out of my mind, so I figured, why not try something new?
Maybe burning the King’s kitchen to the ground wouldn’t be such a terrible thing.
“Damn it!”
I cursed aloud as I burned myself on the pan. Lara jumped up from her seat, but I stopped her.
I continued stirring the pasta sauce, focusing on the task, while a hurricane raged inside my head.
A hurricane caused by none other than Maddox King.
We had sex.
And the reality of it hit me hard a few hours later.
It was supposed to be just sex.
Not the best sex I’ve ever had in my life. The man I can’t stand gave me the most mind-blowing, out-of-this- world experience.
He managed to make me come without even touching me.
My ex couldn’t even make me come while going down on me, and Maddox didn’t even touch me—and still had me shaking to my core around his cock.
It’s ridiculous.
And after everything, he stayed true to his character, leaving as soon as he came, like the dickhead he is. Not a single word before he dressed and left my room.
I should be thankful that he handled it instead of making everything more complicated.
We both got what we wanted, so why not… right?
It’s not like I expected him to cuddle with me or anything. It was a casual sex, I get it, but still, a part of me was annoyed— disappointed, even.
The following morning, as we drove back to The King’s residence, he ignored me the entire time while Lydia kept talking about her hook-up with her guy. I wanted to pay attention, but I couldn’t, knowing that Maddox was in the same car.
I caught his stare several times in the rear-view mirror, but every time our eyes met, he turned his head away.
And that brings us to this moment, where I’m successfully burning the pasta.
“Are you sure you don’t want help?” Lara asked, eyeing the mess I was making.
“No need, Lara. Thank you.”
Our bonding time was interrupted when someone burst into the kitchen, causing Lara to jump from her seat. Her face went pale as she stared at the person standing in front of us.
“Sir Maddox King.”
I was facing away from him, but that didn’t stop my body from shivering when I heard his name. I gripped the spoon in my hands tighter.
‘‘Leave us alone, Lara.”
Lara didn’t even wait for him to finish his sentence—she was already on her way to the door. I stopped her.
“No,” I shot a glance at Maddox. “If you can’t see, I’m cooking, and she’s helping me.’’
Lara froze, her face stunned, probably wondering how I could speak to him like that. But I didn’t care. If she weren’t here, I might even slap him across his arrogant face.
Maddox turned to Lara.
“Lara, can you finish what Miss Delgado seems to be cooking?” he said, eyeing the mess in the kitchen. “I need to talk to her in private.”
“Yes, sir. Of course,” Lara replied, her voice soft.
She walked toward me, giving me a pleading look, silently asking me not to make a scene.
If it wasn’t for Lara, I would’ve made a big scene by now, but seeing her expression and how scared she looked, I just sighed and nodded. I left everything I was doing and followed Maddox out of the kitchen.
As he walked ahead of me, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated that I didn’t have something handy to hit him with. But staring at his huge, muscular back, I knew it wouldn’t even faze him if I did.
I followed him to his office. Maddox opened the door, waiting for me to step inside. Once I did, he closed the door behind him, then turned, leaning against it, his eyes locked on mine.
Looking at him now, as handsome as ever, only made me want to slap him even more. He didn’t deserve the looks he was gifted with.
I crossed my arms over my chest, silently challenging him to speak first. When he didn’t, I sighed and asked, “Why am I here, Maddox?”
He shoved his hands into his pockets, and I hated how my eyes followed the movement. His sleeves were rolled up, ink peeking out from under the fabric. Those same tattooed hands had been wrapped in my hair just a night ago as he fucked the daylight out of me.
“You have to be careful in Italy,” he began, holding my gaze. I scoffed and shook my head.
“I’m being serious, Allyn.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Is that why you brought me here?” He nodded. “I can take care of myself, thank you very much. If that’s everything, I’d like to go back to Lara.”
I wanted to leave, but he was practically leaning against the door. It was mission impossible.
I stopped in front of him, tilting my head up to meet his eyes.
“Allyn,” he sighed. He looked tired somehow. ‘‘This isn’t some fucking game.”
My blood boiled. The audacity he had.
“You want to talk about not playing games, Maddox?”
I tilted my head to the side, locking my gaze on him. His eyes roamed over my face.
“Because I don’t think you’re mature enough for this.”
I tried to push him aside, but he stopped me by grabbing my arm roughly. A small smile tugged at my lips, knowing I was going to take advantage of this moment.
‘‘And you know what?’’ I asked in an innocent voice, fluttering my eyelashes as I placed my hand on his chest. His body stiffened, but he didn’t push me away, so I took the opportunity to slide my hands down to his belt.
My other hand curled around his neck. His eyes never left mine.
I couldn’t believe how easily he was letting me touch him, but I was using this against him now. He leaned forward, pressing into my touch as I pulled him down so that his lips were inches from mine. His dark, messy hair fell in front of his hooded eyes.
I waited for him to fall into my trap and make the first move. As if he was reading my mind, he did. He leaned in, trying to capture my lips in a kiss, but I tilted my head to the side.
He was so hard against my stomach— I knew it had to be painful.
I lowered my lips to his neck, leaving a trail of wet kisses before biting him just below his ear, earning a deep groan from him.
I smiled devilishly.
I placed one last kiss below his earlobe before leaning in to whisper in his ear.
“I have my fiancé to protect me, but thank you for your concern, sir.”
I patted his chest, then pushed him away with as much force as I could muster.
This time, he didn’t fight me. I shoved him aside easily and walked out of the room, leaving Maddox too stunned to speak or follow me.
As I walked down the hallway, a victorious smile spread across my face. If he thought he could play with me, he had another thing coming