No Such King (Bloody Royals, #1)

by Coralee June

“Fuck, this hallway is terrifying. Is my father’s cock hanging out on that statue, Adonis?” I asked in disbelief while looking at a suspiciously large marble appendage. Adonis sighed pretentiously in that way only his snooty self could recreate. “I’ve never seen your father’s cock, sir, but I know the artist took certain liberties.”

“Why do you have tears in your eyes, pretty girl? Who do I need to murder?”

“I don’t want space. I want him to tell me that he doesn’t see me as this monster—this murderer.” He looked at his lap. “What did I tell you? I’m the monster catcher. Besides, monsters can be beautiful, too.”

“Because power allows me to be closer to you. To protect you. To take care of you. August is king, but I am not afraid to be a monster, Christine. A monster isn’t hesitant to fight or to get their hands bloody. I can accomplish things he wouldn’t get away with. I don’t have a moral compass, which means I don’t give a fuck who I have to hurt to get to you. Monsters aren’t afraid of the dark, baby.”

“I’m sorry I’m not deserving of such a devoted monster,” I whispered. “I’m sorry you’ve had to watch me love him.” He chuckled lightly. “But I still get to watch.”

“I’ll get him here. For you. Always and anything for you, baby.”

With August, I had to become what I feared. With Atticus, I got to accept the darkest parts of my soul. And somewhere between all of that, Leo was there too. We were trauma bonded, the rugged bodyguard and I.

Lying on his back, he guided me to his face with surprising strength, easing me down onto his mouth until I knew he was going to suffocate.

“Do what, Little Monster?” he whispered so softly I almost didn’t hear him. What the fuck? They had pet names now? I needed a cute name for her. Like mine or tightest pussy I’ve ever dicked.

“Atticus is your friend,” I said, putting emphasis on the word friend because I didn’t want him trying to lick her kitty.

“Why the fuck did I have to wait an entire day before coming here?” Because you’re an insufferable asshole, and I didn’t want to deal with you.

“Nod like a good girl so I know you understand.” I did what anyone would do at that moment. I nodded.

“I’m afraid I can’t ask you,” he replied. “You see, Christine, if I asked, that would imply you had any say in this. But it’s not my mother, this Crown, or your so-called crimes that draw us together. It’s…fate. As obscure and obsolete of a construct as that is, you’ve been mine since the day you were born. You’ve had my heart since that night you moved in. We have been meant to belong together for as long as I can remember. It’s too late to stop now. It’s too late to ask.”