Sinful Pleasure (Sinful #1)

CHAPTER 48

C HAPTER 48

ALLYN

Screwed. That’s the only right way to describe my life right now.

What’s right, what’s wrong? I didn’t know anymore.

Two voices were fighting inside my head and each trying to claim control—I couldn’t decide which one to follow.

One voice belonged to Mikael—the man who gave up everything to find me, to bring me back home, to teach me the truth. He’s my blood, my family, the man who’s been fighting for me.

The other voice led me to Maddox King—the one man who’s saved me in ways I can’t even begin to explain, even when I was too blind to realize I needed saving.

Maddox King was an enigma, a puzzle that I’ve tried to solve for so long, only to find myself completely lost in the process.

I hated him—God, I hated him so much but somehow, in the chaos of everything, he’s become the one person I can’t stop thinking about.

The line between hate and something else is so thin, so fragile, and I didn’t even realize when I crossed it—but I did.

And now, here I was, stuck with a decision I can’t make.

I needed answers, and I needed them now.

My feet were moving before my brain can catch up, leading me through the halls to the garden. The heavy beat of my heart was all I can hear in my ears as I make my way to the large round pool, my mind racing with too many questions.

I slide open the glass door to the garden.

I spot my father, surrounded by his partners, engaged in a meeting. But none of that matters right now. I needed the truth.

I walked into the scene, ignoring the murmurs from his men. Some of them smile at me, some offer polite greetings, while others remained silent—most likely still resentful that my father made me the heir to The Family.

It’s not a secret that men like them don’t respect women, especially ones who hold power. Not that it mattered right now.

I focused on Mikael, locking eyes with him. He knew me well enough by now to see the storm in my gaze. When he sees my face, something in him clicks.

Mikael sighed, his gaze already distant, dismissing the men who were still lingering around him. With a simple wave of his hand, they scattered like leaves in the wind, leaving us alone.

Once the garden cleared, Mikael turned his attention to me, and I could feel the weight of his disapproval. He didn’t even try to hide the irritation in his eyes.

“What now, Allyn?” he asked, his voice dripping with fatigue. His posture shifted as he leaned back in his chair. His sunglasses remained firmly in place, blocking any attempt to read his emotions.

‘“You lied to me, didn’t you?’’

“I don’t remember doing such a thing.’’

“You told me that the whole King family had a part in my abduction,” I shot back, my anger rising. “But that’s not the truth, is it, Mikael?”

“That’s not a lie,” he said with a casual shrug, his tone almost bored as he took another sip of his expensive champagne. “It’s a different point of view.”

And just like that, everything Maddox had said to me—the truth that had felt so real, collapsed in a matter of seconds.

The facade I’d tried to believe in, the belief that my father was the only one who had the answers, shattered into pieces.

Mikael was a liar, just like the rest of them.

“You’re unbelievable,” I laughed, the sound hollow, bitter. “You turned me against them. You wanted me to hate them. You wanted revenge on the whole King family for something they never even did!”

“You’re missing the point, Allyn,” Mikael’s voice turned cold, his patience wearing thin. “They’re still a King. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it?”

“Just because they’re Kings doesn’t mean they’re like their sick father,” I hissed, my fists clenched at my sides. “Just like I’m nothing like you.”

The words stung him. I could see the shift in his eyes, the flicker of rage that flashed behind his calm exterior.

He clenched his jaw, trying to hide how much my words had cut him. I didn’t care. He deserved it.

The man I thought I knew, the man who was supposed to protect me, had been playing me like a pawn in his game all along. And I had been blind to it. It was all a lie.

Mikael’s voice was like steel as he warned me, “Watch your mouth, young lady.” His finger pointed accusingly at me, and his eyes darkened with warning. “You’re overstepping my kindness.”

“I don’t care, Mikael,” I shot back, my voice growing louder. The anger bubbling inside me refused to be contained any longer. “Maddox is serving the consequences of his father’s actions. He didn’t do anything to deserve this.”

“I told you to stay away from that bastard,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

“That bastard is the only person who has never lied to me in my entire life,” I yelled, unable to hold back my rage any longer.

I shoved his expensive bottle of champagne to the ground, watching as it shattered into a thousand pieces, just like he shattered the bond between us.

“Maddox was doing everything to protect me while you were doing everything to hide the truth from me.”

Mikael’s laugh was cruel, taunting. He made no attempt to hide the amusement in his voice as he circled the table, approaching me with a cold, mocking expression.

“You think he was protecting you?” he sneered, raising an eyebrow, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “He used you, and you were naive enough to fall for his games.”

His words stung, deeper than anything I’d expected. It wasn’t just his accusation—it was the deliberate malice in his tone, the way he knew his words would break me. And they did. His words felt like a slap, but it was the truth that burned worse than the lie.

“Do you want me to prove it to you?” he said with a cruel edge, his voice a low growl.

He was seething, veins popping on his forehead as his anger grew.

“Because if I order his chains to be removed and lock you in a room with him, the next time I open that door, you’ll be lying on the ground, dead by the hand of the man you believed was doing everything to protect you.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. The disgust in his voice made my stomach turn, and I felt my throat tighten as I choked on my own saliva.

“Get your shit together, Allyn. Stop being stupid,” Mikael scolded, his voice cold, as he wiped the tear from my face that I hadn’t even realized was there. His touch was so detached, so cruel.

“He’ll be better off dead, just like his whole family.”

I yanked his hand away from my face, my eyes shooting up to meet his, fury and defiance burning in my chest.

“I won’t let you hurt him again, Mikael,” I spat, my voice trembling with anger.

I wasn’t just angry—I was terrified, terrified of how far he’d go to destroy Maddox, terrified of what my father was capable of.

He took a few steps back, distancing himself from me.

“We will have this conversation later,” he muttered, avoiding my gaze entirely. “Now we have more important things to do. Since you’re here, you will take part in the next meeting.”

‘‘What meeting?’’ I narrowed my eyes.

“The Stone Family is here,” he replied, his tone flat as he looked down. “I believe they have information that would be useful to us.”

Before I could respond, one of the servants burst through the glass doors, followed by two men who seemed to fill the space with their presence. Their eyes scanned the large garden with interest, but once they spotted us, their attention locked in.

I instantly recognized the older man—the one I had seen during the last meeting. Garrett Stone.

I still remember the disgust on his face when he saw me, the contempt in his voice as he told me that women had no place at their table.

Now, here he was—on my territory, acting as though he belonged. His presence only solidified everything I had said about men like him.

No dignity. No respect.

Just arrogant power— given to them by their family name.

Next to Garrett walked a man, probably around my age. He looked like a younger version of him— both dressed in suits that screamed power.

My father greeted them with a smile, shaking hands with both men, but when it was my turn and Garrett extended his hand toward me, I refused to take it. There was no way in hell I was going to shake his hand after how he treated me at the meeting.

Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I’m going to bow down to his disgusting behavior.

No chance in Hell.

I could feel my father’s judgmental gaze burning into me, but I refused to let it break my resolve. I didn’t take my eyes off the two men in front of me.

Mikael, however, wasted no time in rectifying the situation, his smile now polished as he invited them to sit at the large table in front of the pool, surrounded by a ridiculous amount of food.

They took their seats on one side of the table, while Mikael and I sat across from them. The servants swiftly brought over plates and glasses, only to disappear again as quickly as they arrived. My father and Garrett began a small, meaningless conversation—something about business deals and investment opportunities. The guy sitting next to Garrett, Theo Stone, didn’t seem too interested, just like me.

Yet, despite his apparent disinterest, I caught him sneaking glances at me when he thought I wasn’t looking.

Bored and uninterested in their conversation, I let my gaze wander, focusing on the younger Stone. His messy, dirty blond hair reached almost to his shoulders—longer than most men, but somehow it suited him. His eyes were a striking blue, and he had a slightly bushy blond beard, which gave him a rugged look.

He seemed like the type of guy who liked to pretend he was above everyone else, though I had no doubt his personality matched his father’s in the most disgusting ways possible.

Theo Stone stole the physical traits from his father—his sharp features, his posture, and probably the same arrogance that Garrett carried with him. I wasn’t surprised.

I knew people like them.

Arrogant, entitled, thinking the world revolves around their power. And judging by the look in his eyes, Theo had inherited every ounce of that.

“I think it’s time to talk business,” my father announced, clapping his hands together, bringing me back to reality. “I believe you mentioned that you have information we may be interested in.”

Garrett’s demeanor shifted, nodding.

“I’m all ears.” My father leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Garrett.

“I have information about Martin King.” he said “We are all familiar with the issues between you and The King Family,” Garrett continued, his voice cold, measured.

My pulse quickened. We’d been searching for Martin for months, and the mention of his name sent a jolt through me.

“Nothing that can’t be solved.” My father’s tone was calm, but there was an edge to it. He was intrigued. “I’m listening, Garrett.”

“I know where he hides.”

The words hit like a bombshell. I shifted my gaze to Mikael. I could see the same fire burning in his eyes—the same hunger.

All of this, everything I had been fighting for, everything I’d become, had been driven by Martin King. For months, we had been chasing shadows, but now, we had a lead.

“Good,’’ Mikael nodded. “You have my attention now.”

“But of course,” Garrett continued, his voice shifting to something more calculating, “this information won’t come for free.”

I had expected this. Nothing in this world was ever given for free. My father, as expected, didn’t flinch at the mention of a price.

“Tell me the price,” he replied, his hand dismissively waving. “Money is not an issue.”

“I don’t want money.”

Garrett’s words hung in the air. My father raised an eyebrow, clearly confused but intrigued.

“Territory?”

“No,” Garrett said, his voice low, his gaze shifting towards me.

And with that look, everything in the room changed.

“Her.”

My body went rigid. It felt like the ground had just shifted beneath me, and suddenly, there was not enough air in the garden to breathe. My chest tightened, and my heart raced as I processed what Garrett was saying.

Me.

I looked at my father, hoping this was some sick joke, but the look on his face told me otherwise. His gaze flickered between Garrett and me, an unreadable expression in his eyes. Mikael leaned forward, his posture rigid and threatening, his eyes darkening.

“You’re overstepping the bounds of my kindness, Garrett,” my father growled, his voice low and dangerous, the words almost slipping out between clenched teeth.

“You misunderstood me, Mikael,” he said, his tone far too casual for the weight of the conversation. “I wasn’t offering an insult—I’m offering a solution.”

The words he spoke next sent a shock wave through the room, hitting me like a thunderstorm. My body froze, my heart hammering in my chest as I tried to process what I was hearing.

“I would ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage to my firstborn son, Theo Stone.”

The world tilted, spinning around me as I struggled to comprehend.

My eyes locked on Theo Stone—his face void of any emotion or regret.

“Desperate enough to suggest such a thing, Mr. Stone?” I sneered, my heart racing with fury. “I believe the last time we met, you told me I had no place at the table, you insulted me just because I’m a woman, and now you are coming here asking for my hand in marriage to your son? That’s pathetic.”

He nodded slowly, but there was no sincerity.

“I can only apologize for my words. I was wrong,” he said, his voice dripping with falseness. “But a union would be a fair trade. We will be untouchable.”

I almost scoffed at the thought.

Untouchable? The audacity of this man, of both of them, was beyond me.

“My family is untouchable already,” Mikael shot back, his tone cold and dismissive. “Why do you think we need you, Garrett?”

“We’re not eternal, Mikael. Someone’s going to have to watch over your daughter after we’re gone,” he said, his words dripping with a calculated calmness.

“I can take care of myself, thank you very much,” I snapped, my voice laced with venom as I flashed a fake smile in Garrett’s direction.

Garrett’s eyes shifted back to me, his grin widening. He clearly enjoyed the discomfort he was causing.

“If you get rid of Martin King, his children will stop at nothing until they get revenge for their father’s death.”

“I’ll get rid of them too,” Mikael responded, but Garrett’s eyes fixed on me once more, and that disgusting smile was still in place.

It’s almost like he knows something my father doesn’t.

Almost like he knows about Maddox King and the way I can’t get him out of my mind.

“You know that’s not going to be an easy task.”

Oh, yes. The fucker knows.

A murderous silence hung over the table.

My heart raced, and the minutes dragged on agonizingly slow as I waited for my father to speak, to defend me, or even kill them both for daring to make such a demand.

“It’s a fair trade, Mikael,” Garrett said, my father cupping his jaw, almost as if he were considering it.

“No,” I spat, loud and clear. “Hell, no.”

Garrett smiled at me, but it was wicked—laughing, mocking me once again.

“Miss Romano, I wasn’t asking you,” he nodded toward Mikael. “I was asking your father.”

And my father just stared at me.

His face was blank, like my hopes of getting out of this unscathed.