King of Envy (Kings of Sin, #5)

by Ana Huang

Vuk opened his eyes and turned his head. His expression was unreadable. You think I hate you?

A moment later, he unfolded himself from his seat, and I instinctively sank deeper into mine. My heart rate kicked up when he moved toward me.

Had I finally pushed him over the edge? Was he going to murder me right here on his private jet?

My pulse fluttered at the words scratched in bold black. I don’t hate you. But I wish I did.

I felt a small brush of air as Vuk reached over and snapped the seat belt in place for me.

This time, I couldn’t hold back a scream, and I instinctively grabbed Vuk’s hand. He tensed, but he didn’t pull away.

I moved to pull away, but his fingers curled, trapping my hand in his. His skin was rough and warm, his hold steady.

What do you talk about? “Anything. Everything. Movies, memes, current affairs.”

me. I know what memes are. A pause. What do you and Jordan talk about when you fly together? Specifically.

Who’s your favorite sibling? I side-eyed him. “Are you trying to get me in trouble?” He shrugged, a shadow of a smirk playing around his mouth.

I hadn’t forgotten his earlier note: I don’t hate you. But I wish I did. But he wasn’t acting like he wanted to hate me. He was acting like he genuinely wanted to know more about me.

“Why wouldn’t I marry him?” Deflection 101: answer a question with a question and hope they moved on. Vuk’s gaze bore into mine, so cold it burned. That’s not an answer, Ayana.

If we use your logic, I would’ve married Jordan before you. I’ve known him a long time, and I enjoy his company.

“That’s a lie. You don’t enjoy anyone’s company.”

I’m trying to prove a point.” Which is? “You don’t like people.” People in general, no. His gaze dipped for a moment before meeting mine again. But there are exceptions.

Vuk wasn’t talking about me. He couldn’t be, not based on the way he’d treated me in the past. But he’d joined me on this trip. He’d held me when there was turbulence.

My conversation with Vuk had done more than distract me from my near-death panic; it’d made me forget it entirely.

I was about to turn and see what had him so spooked when I felt it. His presence at my back, cool and commanding. The faint smell of whiskey and leather. The soft brush of his shirt against my arm. He didn’t utter a word; he didn’t need to.

“Obviously, I’m not talking about anything else.” Obviously. His mouth tipped up. Was he laughing at me?

“If you weren’t here tonight, what would you be doing? Brooding in a corner somewhere or terrifying peasants and children?” His eyes glittered with amusement. I can do both right here. I’m a good multitasker.

For better or worse, Vuk’s presence wiped that away in one fell swoop.

He was competent, but his voice could put a bear on cocaine to sleep.

Whether she was near or far, I suffered.

“Keep it up. I will take off my heels, and I will stab you with them,” I threatened. Vuk leaned back and stretched like I’d offered him a day at the spa. What if I said there’ll be strippers at the party? His lazy stare didn’t lose any of its original sting. He could pierce armor with those eyes. Would you be upset?

Vuk watched me quietly. If you were my fiancée, I wouldn’t look at another woman. Entertainment or not.

An extra moment alone with her was worth the disruption—unless it put her in danger.

A goddess to suit every mood. But no matter what role she slipped into, onstage or offstage, she maintained a spark that was entirely her own. It was that spark that kept me coming back over and over again. Waiting. Watching. Obsessing.

Ask me if I need help again and I’ll change our plans to camping. With bears.

I hadn’t planned to come here—I hated juice—but my feet had a mind of their own. Or…My pulse sped up when the door opened and a stunning brunette stepped out. The universe has its own plans.

but otherwise, she was dressed down in a T-shirt, jeans, and makeup-free face. Even so, she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.

I’m sorry for leaving so abruptly the other day. My movements were stiff. An emergency came up. “It’s okay. I had to leave for a fitting anyway.” She cocked her head. “A thank-you and an apology in the same month. It must be winter in hell.” Don’t get used to it. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

I had a mile-long to-do list back at the office, but I could stay here with her forever. Just us, just like this.

I’m sure you don’t care about what happens to my shoes.” I care about everything relevant to you.

No need for an Uber. I’ll drive you. “That’s not necessary. I⁠—” My car isn’t far. I shrugged off my jacket and handed it to her. Use this for cover instead. Your purse looks expensive. Ayana crossed her arms. “Are you always this bossy?” Yes. “It’s not an endearing trait, you know.” I know.

“You can drive me home, but only if you let me ask you three questions during the ride. You have to answer—truthfully.” I almost smiled. No one else would’ve dared bargain with me so brazenly. I’m doing you a favor, yet you’re the one making demands? “Yep.” She gave an elegant shrug. “It makes no difference to me. If you don’t want to answer, I’ll just take my chances with the giant, rain-summoned rats.” My almost smile morphed into an almost laugh.

A passing bus trundled through a large puddle and sent a spray of water our way. I instinctively turned my body to shield her

“You know what I mean.” I don’t. Are you asking about dinner dates, Ayana, or are you asking about fucking? Her sharp intake of breath made my mouth curve.

I only wanted one person, and they weren’t her.

I wanted to lean over and crush my mouth against hers until she didn’t remember her own name, much less his. I wanted to wrap her legs around my waist and make her scream for me and only me. I wanted a lot of things I couldn’t have, so I settled for mocking indifference instead. Do you spend a lot of time researching me online?

It happened so suddenly I hardly noticed it until the sound left my throat. A rumble of laughter—mine. My first genuine laugh in possibly years.

The delight that lit Ayana’s face made me wish I was the type of man who laughed easily, if only so I could see her smile more often.

Then I got into trouble, and he saved my life.

He was too rough, too cold, too masculine—and yet, he fit perfectly.

An island of calm amidst a sea of uncertainty.

Vuk’s mouth curled at my prolonged silence. Ask me. “Ask you what?” Who I owed money to.

“No.” Vuk’s eyes flared with surprise. “If you want to tell me, you can,”

You’re a lot of things, Ayana. Manipulative isn’t one of them.

But no crowd or camera made me feel the way Vuk did—like I was myself again. Like I was seen.

If I couldn’t have all of her, then I’d hoard the piece of her that still offered me a glimpse of hope for redemption.

But my patience was fraying, and if he didn’t remove the threat from his voice when he talked to her, I was going to rip his tongue out, patience be damned.