King of Envy (Kings of Sin, #5)

by Ana Huang

Ayana added hastily. I almost smiled for the second time that day. I wanted to stay. She was clearly shaken from her encounter with Hank—which was exactly why I needed to leave. I’ll finish next time.

“My advice is to listen, be patient, and never, ever rearrange your wife’s books without permission.” Kai frowned. “You would think alphabetical order by title makes sense, but apparently, it’s not ‘aesthetically pleasing.’” “Why would you rearrange her books?” Xavier looked appalled. “That’s rule number one of being in a relationship, married or not. Don’t touch their shit. If I tried to reorganize Sloane’s stuff, I wouldn’t be here right now. I’d be dead.”

“It was an accident, but I can see why you’re upset.” Kai stepped in, ever the voice of reason. “How about we buy you a new drink and call it even?” Grizzly sneered. “How about no?” He shoved Kai. Hard. Kai glanced down at where wet handprints marred his previously immaculate shirt. When he looked up again, his face had hardened into stone. “That,” he said, “was a mistake.”

“You can’t tell me you aren’t curious about Vuk. He has that hideous scar, but it kinda adds to his appeal. Danger is sexy.” I bristled at the word hideous and resisted the sudden urge to throttle one of my few friends in the city.

“There’s nothing wrong with his scars.” The bite in my voice was so scathing it surprised even me. “They add character.”

“You’re hurt. Where’s your ice pack? You!” She pointed at a random guy loitering nearby. “Get me an ice pack.” “Lady, I don’t know who you⁠—” “Ice pack. Now.”

“Mm-hmm. No wonder you refused to tell me your plans for the bachelor party. I didn’t have a bar brawl on my bingo card, especially not at a place called…” I squinted at the neon green letters buzzing over the entrance. “The Soggy Bottom.” The Fighting Pit was already packed. Vuk delivered his response with such a deadpan expression I almost believed he was serious until I caught the tiny smirk playing around his mouth. I forced the curve of my own lips into a straight line. “Was that a joke?”

Dante’s lip curled. “Petition to swap him out for Viv. At least she understands the difference between virtual reality and actual reality.” His wife grinned. “Not a chance. I look forward to beating you too much.”

I wanted everything I couldn’t have, and every moment I couldn’t steal, but for the space of a heartbeat, I almost believed she wanted it too.

But there was a part of me that, somewhat delusionally, didn’t believe he would hurt me no matter the circumstances.

Vuk’s eyes traced my face. He wasn’t the type to ever show regret, but the tick in his jaw revealed his turmoil over what happened. “I’m okay,” I whispered. “It’s okay.”

ran after him before I lost my nerve. “Wait!” He stopped mid-stride,

If I could choose anyone to be with at that moment, I would choose him.

It took him three steps to close the distance between us. The threat of an oncoming storm lurked behind those cold, blue eyes. Why are you here, Ayana?

“Don’t.” The word scraped across my senses and hit me straight in the gut. He spoke. Verbally. To me. The air evacuated my lungs. His voice was deep and gravelly, exuding control but laced with emotion.

Don’t. The tortured sound rang in my ears, and it was in that moment that the truth set in with painful, wrenching clarity. That wasn’t the command of a man who didn’t want me; it was the plea of someone who did. Vuk Markovic wanted me, and it was killing him that he couldn’t have me, even when I offered myself to him. Especially when I offered myself to him.

He brought his mouth next to my ear, his voice so low and rough it made me shiver. “Kada te konačno budem poljubio, nećeš više nositi njegov prsten na ruci.”

"When I finally kiss you, you won't wear his ring on your finger anymore."

One hundred and thirty hours of remembering the way her body arched into mine. Eight thousand-plus minutes of revisiting how she’d almost kissed me.

“You could shoot me.” He sounded bored. “Or you could find out why I’d risk breaking into your house.” “I prefer option one,” I growled.

I am not your babe or your sweetie.

If only Vuk were here.

but as intimidating and infuriating as he was, he made me feel safe.

I jerked my head up to find his face inches from mine, and iron restraint was the only thing that kept me from kneeing him in the balls.

The resounding whack echoed through the empty studio. “Don’t touch me.”

If I were honest with myself, there was only one person I wanted to see. It made no sense, but few things in my life did anymore. So, before I could talk myself out of it, I headed to the nearest subway station and took the train uptown, toward the most dangerous man I knew.

Roman glared at me, his face white with pain. But he didn’t scream. He got bonus points for that. “I could’ve aimed for your heart,” I said. “I’ll be in touch regarding your proposition. Now get the fuck out of my house before I change my mind.”

He shut his laptop abruptly and stood, his gaze sweeping over my face and the tight-knuckled grip on my bag. His eyes sharpened. What’s wrong?

To my absolute horror, tears welled up instead. For a brief moment, I thought I could control them. Then a sob tore loose, and that was it.

Strong arms wrapped around me and held me close. I instinctively buried my face in his chest, taking solace in his warmth and faint, slightly smoky scent. His heart beat a steady rhythm beneath my cheek.

I thought his walls and gates were what made me feel safe, but they weren’t. It was him.

“I’m sorry.” I sniffled. “I didn’t mean to come in and cry all over you like that. I didn’t—I didn’t even say hi first.” Don’t apologize.

Tell me what happened.

“He touched you,” he said softly. There was no inflection or emotion. Just pure ice.

Eat. Vuk sat across from me after his staff left. It’ll make you feel better. As if on cue, my stomach growled. I really was starving. “How did you know?” You were at a photoshoot all day. I doubt they were feeding you properly.

“And the peanut butter?” It was one of my guilty pleasures. You mentioned it in your sleep when we were in California. I figured you’d like it.

A smirk softened Vuk’s mouth.

“This is almost exactly like the tea I gave you at my house.” Vuk shrugged. I liked it, so I had someone recreate it as closely as possible. “How? It’s my mom’s custom blend. She won’t even tell me everything she puts in it.” I have my ways.

Come with me. I have something that might help.

The fact I didn’t question him was a testament to how much I’d come to trust him.

Because she’s fucking mine.

Jordan was her fiancé in name, but I was the one she’d turned to first. I was the one who understood what she needed—not comfort, but vengeance. I was the one who would kill and die for her in the same breath. No other man could match that, ring or no ring.

His words cut off with a howl when I slammed my fist into his face.

It was the hand he used to make her fucking cry.

No one hurt her and got away with it.

“Wow. The Serb is here. Now that’s a surprise.”

He was facing my way. This time, his eyes slid toward me when I turned. The corner of his mouth tipped up in a knowing smirk. Shit. Caught red-handed.

“You’re the one who followed me.” Vuk regarded me from half a dozen feet away. His face was hard and unsmiling. Tell me to leave. “No.”

You didn’t get dressed up to hang out with me in a library. Maybe not, but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t hoped Vuk would make an appearance tonight. “Once again, you’re the one who followed me here,” I said, knowing full well I’d baited him into doing so. And you’re the one who wants me to stay.

Why did you come to me first the other week?

“Because you’re the one I wanted to see in that moment.”