Sinful Pleasure (Sinful #1)

CHAPTER 61

C HAPTER 61

ALLYN

Another day passed by, followed by another.

It’s been over 2 weeks since I’ve been here, and still no word from my father. It’s too good to be true—like calm before storm.

If it were up to Mikael, Maddox’s head would already be hanging on the wall like a trophy. N ot just because he’s a King, but because Mikael knows exactly how much Maddox means to me.

Mikael wants him dead as much as I want him alive. But my father doesn’t know him like I do. He hasn’t seen the side of Maddox I see every day—the man who, despite his sharp edges, softens just for me.

Last night, Maddox even cooked dinner.

Just the thought of Maddox King—a man who commands armies and strikes fear into everyone—taking time to Google how to make mac and cheese made me laugh.

A knock at the door broke me from my thoughts. I turned my head toward the sound.

“Come in,” I called, loud enough for the person outside to hear, as I sat brushing my hair in front of the mirror.

The door opened. It was Betty, a kind woman in her forties who always greeted me warmly. She met my eyes briefly before lowering her gaze, reaching into her pocket.

“As you requested, Miss Romano,” she said, holding something out.

I glanced down at the small box she was offering me, my breath hitching. My hands trembled slightly as I took it from her.

“You didn’t tell anyone about this, right?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“No, miss,” Betty assured me, shaking her head. “No one saw me when I went to buy it.”

Relief washed over me, and I exhaled slowly.

“Thank you, Betty. I really appreciate it.” I smiled, leaning in to hug her impulsively. She froze for a moment, clearly startled, before giving a hesitant pat on my back.

“I owe you,” I said softly, releasing her.

Betty nodded quickly and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Alone once more, I turned my full attention to the white box in my hand. My fingers shook as I gripped it, my pulse racing. What happens next depends on what this box contains.

I turned the small white box over in my hands, my breath catching as I saw the words written on it-Pregnancy Test.

My throat felt tight, my saliva refusing to go down.

Maddox doesn’t know.

He doesn’t know about the random waves of nausea or the moments I’ve spent over the toilet, vomiting for no reason.

Maybe it’s paranoia. Maybe it’s all in my head. But I had to be sure.

That’s why I asked Betty to buy the test and bring it to me when I knew Maddox wouldn’t be around.

For what felt like an eternity, I paced the room, clutching the test in my shaking hands.

What if it’s positive? What then?

My heart pounded as I finally forced myself into the bathroom.

The moment I finished, I placed the test down on the counter and backed away like it was some ticking time bomb. My chest heaved as I left it there, retreating to the bedroom.

I sat on the bed, my hands clasped tightly in my lap. My heart felt like it had dropped to my feet, my pulse racing so fast it hurt. A thousand scenarios played out in my head, each one more overwhelming than the last.

What do I do if it’s positive? How do I tell Maddox?

The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the pounding of my heart. I stared at the wall, frozen in place.

Don’t be a coward, Allyn. You have to do this.

With trembling legs, I walked back to the bathroom. My hands were unsteady as I picked up the test.

Positive.

It hit me like a freight train. I stared at it, unblinking, unmoving, my mind struggling to process.

I’m pregnant.

My knees buckled, and I sank to the floor, the test clutched tightly in my hand. My thoughts spiraled. I’m carrying Maddox King’s child. The weight of it consumed me, making it impossible for me to breathe.

But before I could gather my thoughts, the sound of the front door slamming shut snapped me back to reality.

The heavy, forceful entrance could only mean one thing— Maddox.

Panic surged through me. I scrambled to hide the test, locking it back in the box and shoving it into a drawer.

With my heart still hammering in my chest, I took a deep breath and headed downstairs, steeling myself for whatever came next.

When Maddox looked up, I didn’t see the usual warmth.

Instead, I saw only darkness, rage coiling within his eyes. I tensed.

Was I really going to do this?

Was I ready? No.

But I knew deep down that he had every right to know.

“Maddox, can we talk?” My voice was barely above a whisper, my words falling out like fragile glass.

Without a word, Maddox brushed past me, his cold presence like a storm front. He didn’t spare me a glance, not even a second.

“Not now, Allyn.’’

“It’s important,” I insisted, my words trembling as I took several steps to catch up with him.

But he didn’t slow down. His broad back was tense, his suit straining against the rigid muscles beneath it. His breath was sharp, uneven.

“It can wait.”

“No, it can’t.”

I reached out and grabbed his arm. I spun him around, desperate to make him listen, to make him see me.

The instant his eyes locked onto mine, the air between us turned cold.

Dark. Like death itself.

His gaze cut through me, leaving no space for softness.

“We need to talk,” I said again.

His jaw tightened. The rage in his eyes deepened, but something else was there too—pain, frustration, and… maybe fear?

“Your father is holding my sister captive. He sent me a video of him torturing her.’’ His voice was tight and controlled, as if he were holding onto his sanity by a thread. ‘‘He wants to meet me, or Lydia dies.”

The words hit me like a slap across the face, the blood draining from my face.

I released his arm, my heart hammering in my chest.

“So, I’m fucking sorry, Allyn, but I don’t have time for this right now.” His voice was a growl, raw with anger. “I need to save my sister.”

“I’m coming with you.”

He froze, his eyes narrowing.

“What? No!”

“Don’t do that,” I warned, stepping closer. “I’m his only weakness, Maddox. I’m the best chance you have to save her.”

His jaw clenched tight.

His eyes momentarily flickering with the knowledge that I was right.

I wish that wasn’t the case. I wish it was easy.

But that’s not who we are, and it never will be.

We are not meant for this.

There’s no room for happiness in the world we’ve chosen.

Not while we’re still breathing.