Loyal by Default: Legacy of Carter Reed (Assassin's Heart #2)

by K.C. Mills

Three days wasn’t shit compared to the lifetime of women he had experienced, but McKenna had somehow managed to do what others before her couldn’t. She gave Carter Reed hope that he could be happy; that he deserved something good regardless of all the bad he’d done.

“This was my trial run to see if I could be happy settling. To see if you had potential to make me happy and you don’t.”

“She’s not alone and if you touch her, you will seriously regret that shit.”

She froze. That voice, his voice. McKenna wanted so badly to look but was afraid she was imagining things, dreaming possibly, like she had been since he walked away.

“Who the hell a...

“Tell him who I am, McKenna, and you might want to let this muthafucker know what a huge mistake it would be for ...

And for the record, Kenni, I know exactly what you want and need…” Carter glanced over his shoulder. “Because you’re mine.”

No matter how much she wanted to argue with Carter, he spoke the truth. She was his. She had been since the first night McKenna found him bleeding in her living room.

“You are my standard, Kenni. I’ll take you, however and wherever I can have you. I don’t give a fuck about any of this. It’s just things.”

“I’m the same man, and for the record, you haven’t felt me yet. But you will…”

she felt him all over. Inside and out. It was impossible not to feel Carter Reed.

He smiled, sinfully confident. “Are you nervous, Kenni?”

“No, are you?”

“No, I’m com...

For her, he would sell his soul to the devil.

“You are that fucking stupid. You accepted the contract. I believe you wanted to hurt McKenna. And because that’s what I believe, I’m going to hurt you. Mercilessly.”

But if you decide you don’t want to try, you won’t get another chance, Carter.”

I don’t know how the fuck I’m gonna make this work with you wanting to run and never look back, but you’re stuck with me, Kenni. No fucking outs.

I just killed the man who held answers to questions that have caused many sleepless nights.

“Thinking about anything but you while you’re awake is a challenge I haven’t yet mastered, Kenni.”

“Butterflies symbolize rebirth, growth, beauty in life’s darker moments.”

“Your life in my darkness?” he murmured and she gently shook her head no.

“Navigating my life after you took your darkness away.” His gaze reflected remorse and she added, “But black also represents power, strength, and it’s sexy…” Sh...

“It will only ever be me.”

“You have the money I gave you.” And access to every penny I have now.

“I’m annoyed because you don’t want me to do what a man who gives a fuck about you should naturally do.”

Carter mailed a cashier’s check for the amount owed to the city to cover the past due property taxes on her family home. She wouldn’t spend the money he forced her to accept so he handled the problem. The house was important to McKenna, losing it would have been devastating.

“I’ll always choose you.”

“Ezekiel Omari

“Names aren’t important. Your identity is in your bloodline. You’re mine, Carter, not just in name, never forget that.”

His first thought was, fuck she’s beautiful, quickly followed by his second, she’s mine.

“You lied to your mother…” he said against her nipple before grazing it with his teeth.

“I didn’t…” she rushed out in a breathy tone.

“You said you don’t need a man or a husband to be happy. Th...

“It’s not.”

“It better be or I’m fucking offended.”

“I should be very relevant to your happiness.”

“You are.”

“Then you lied. You ...

“Do you need me?” She pulled back and her eyes met his. A sinister smile eased onto his face. “You’re my li...

“You told your mother she would be the first call when you found a man who wanted to marry you for the right reasons. I want to know what those are.”

“Now?”

“Too many to discuss but the most important one is because he can’t see life without me and he doesn’t want a life without me.”

“Then after we finish what we’re doing, you should call your mother back.”

“...

“Lifeline, Kenni. You’re mine.”

I can’t fucking live without you and I don’t want to.

“You don’t have to fear shit about me.” Losing you will always be a fear.

She didn’t argue or object. She followed Carter back to the car and let him take her home but the entire time all she could think was, she was already home. With him…

Carter: If I didn’t think that shit made me sound like a pussy I would agree so I’ll rephrase for you. A man who can’t stand for his woman to give her time to anybody