In Wicked Chains (The Wicked) Read online

  It was the only time she allowed it, the only time she could look at him and not see the man who fathered him.

  Sasha told Elina they’d left Earl’s remains for the cops to find, and showed her the tiny newspaper article calling his death a drug deal gone bad. Elina tried not to dwell on it. She couldn’t believe Sasha would go through such lengths for her. Niko wasn’t happy at all with what Sasha did, seemed the plan was to keep Earl distracted, not have him feel her up.

  Elina loved them so much. She wanted to reach out to Kingston, but she didn’t know how. She saw the pain and blame in his eyes when he looked at her. He’d put both her and Sasha in danger. He almost lost them both.

  He lost a father.

  And though she knew he wasn’t mourning Earl’s loss, she didn’t know how to turn to him without blaming him for what his father did.

  Adrian visited on the fourth day of her self-imposed exile. He brought chocolate and workplace gossip, forcing her to speak and beg for the blasted chocolate. They munched and laughed until her sides hurt. In the kitchen, pots clanged as Kingston prepared dinner.

  Adrian stared at her. “You’re still icing him out?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know what to say to him. I can’t look at him without seeing his father.” She bit her lip. “I don’t know how much longer we can go on like this.”

  “You’re going to break up with him?” Adrian gaped.

  Was she? Her heart cracked at the thought, but what choice did she have if she couldn’t look at him, much less allow him to touch her in broad day light? Elina shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  “Well, you better know, and soon.” Adrian stood. “That gorgeous man loves you to pieces. So many of us wish we had what you two have, don’t mess it up. Someone will snap him up in a heartbeat.” He brushed a kiss to her cheek. “Might be me, who knows.” He chuckled on his way out the door.

  Elina didn’t return his mirth. Long after Adrian left, she remained propped against her pillow, staring into space. Kingston loved her, she knew that. Did she love him enough to push past the hurt and pain?

  “Dinner’s ready.” King appeared in the doorway with the familiar wary expression on his face. “Should I bring it to you?”

  She shook her head. “I’ll come out.” Climbing off the bed, she ignored his surprised expression and made her way to the living room.

  “Sit.” He pulled out a chair for her. “I’ll get it.”

  Elina dropped her hands in her lap, twisting shaky fingers around each other. Kingston returned with two plates, one he set down in front of her, the other he placed in the spot opposite her on the table. He took his seat as she stared at her plate.

  “It’s chicken and dumplings,” he explained. “Taste it.”

  She did. It tasted amazing and she nodded her approval. He beamed. Elina stared into his eyes, then tore her gaze away when his hope flared. She concentrated on eating, looking up only when he cleared his throat.

  “I-uh. I have to tell you something.” He dropped his spoon and held her gaze. “I recently learned Harper Royce is your sister.”

  Elina blinked. What did he say?

  “I-um. Sasha knew. She’s known from the very beginning.” He leaned forward. “We were at Harper’s engagement party when Sasha spilled the beans and judging from Harper’s reaction, it’s true.”

  “How?”

  He shrugged. “I have no idea, though maybe Harper knows.” He took her hand. “That woman is surrounded by secrets.”

  “What about your secrets?” She pulled her hand away. She may have a sister, but right now Elina didn’t care about Harper Royce, she cared only about the man sitting across from her.

  “My secrets. El, when was I supposed to tell you my father was a rapist?’

  “About the time I told you about mine,” she shot back. “Or what about when he threatened Sasha? You warned her.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “Why wasn’t I on the list of people to be warned?”

  “I didn’t think!” He shot to his feet, yanking on his hair. “I didn’t think he’d go after you. No one knew about us, we were so new we’d never even been out in public. How was I to know?”

  “You didn’t even suspect him when I told you about someone following me? You never even entertained the possibility?”

  “Why would I, huh? He’s only ever wanted Sasha.” He came over to her side and dropped to his knees. “I never thought he’d go though you to get to her.”

  “Well, he did.” That familiar feeling of despair rose within her and she choked up. “I thought I’d never have to go back there again, that place where it’s nothing but pain and darkness. I thought with my father’s death I was free, but I was proved wrong.”

  “El, baby. You never told us—did he hurt you in anyway?” His thumb brushed her chin in a small gesture, but tension radiated off him.

  She shook her head. “He only fondled my breasts a little but he would have. He would have.”

  Kingston held her close, her head on his shoulder as she wept. His body shuddered in her arms as he cried with her, for her.

  “I’m so sorry, El. So sorry.”

  “Ssh, it’s okay now.” It was her turn to comfort him. She slid her fingers though his hair, pulling gently on his braids. “He didn’t win. I’m here with you, in your arms.”

  “I never want to let you go.” He pulled away to look into her eyes. “The world fades away when you look at me, when you speak. Nothing exists but us. I want that always. I love you, El.” His eyes pleaded for the same response, but her lips were already moving.

  “I love you, too.” She kissed his forehead, his eyelids. “I love you.”

  “I’ll never leave you unprotected again,” he vowed. “You’ll never have to go back to that place.”

  Her tears flowed faster. “Promise?”

  Kingston nodded and kissed her lips. “I promise. Cross my heart.”

  That’s enough for me. She parted her lips, allowing her man inside. He kissed her slowly, deeply, and she responded in kind. He stayed on his knees. She remained sitting with her hands around his neck until he spoke.

  “Dance with me.” He got to his feet, hand held out to her.

  She stared up at him. “Dance? But there’s no music.”

  He grinned and took her hand, helping her stand. “I have to turn it on.” He walked over to the couch with her in tow, picked up the remote for the surround sound and flicked it on.

  Soft music filled the room. The title track from Marcia Ambrosius’ album, Late Nights and Early Mornings floated to them.

  Kingston dropped the remote back on the couch and held his arm open. “Dance with me, El.”

  She stepped into the warmth of his embrace and he held her close, bodies swaying to the sexy beat. Kingston moved with her, whispering the words of the song in her ear. Elina closed her eyes and sighed.

  This is happy. Kingston is home. She was where she wanted to be.

  Pressing kisses to his neck and throat, she dragged her nails down his back. “Make love to me.”

  He took her lips, undressing her without stopping the swaying. She did the same, unzipping his jeans, pulling his t-shirt over his head, while rocking side to side. He lowered them to the couch, mouth trailing kisses from her lips down her body.

  His tongue swirled around her nipples. Teeth nipped and bit until she tugged on his hair and pushed his head lower. He chuckled, but obliged willingly. Kingston settled between her thighs and she widened them with a sigh.

  He sucked on her clit and she cried out, hips lifting to meet his mouth. Fingers pushed into her pussy, thrusting and out. She rode them, cries mixing with the music filling the room. That quick an orgasm threatened and she pulled on his shoulders.

  “King, come inside me. Now.”

  He kissed his way back up her body, cradling her head as his cock nudged her wet entrance. “I love you, El. So much.”

  Elina rolled her hips, lashes fluttering as he slid inside. “I love you, too.�
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  He reared back and thrust in hard.

  Her head and tits bounced.

  “This is forever, El.”

  “Forever.” Like she’d ever let him go. This shit was for keeps. She locked her ankles around his waist and sank her fingers into his ass cheeks. “Forever.”

  Epilogue

  “Do you, Harper Elizabeth Royce, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold…”

  Harper’s heartbeat drowned out the minister’s words, but really, did she need to hear them? All she had to do was smile and say yes. From the corner of her eye, she watched the small crowd. No one was there for her.

  She had no family alive. At least, none she’d claimed, not the sister who’d apparently been through hell by the hands of a mad man, not the friend she’d alienated with her selfish actions.

  Definitely not the man I love.

  Since any and all thoughts of Maysin brought her to tears, she shied away from memories of his face and his touch, and instead focused enough on the matter at hand to murmur, “I do,” under the expectant stares.

  The minister shifted his attention to bother Isaiah about his vows and she dropped her gaze to her gown, a gorgeous creation made by the incomparable Ms. Wang. Harper grudgingly admitted she looked fucking stunning in the sleek, form-fitting number. On her feet she wore the ridiculously expensive pair of pink Givenchy heels Sasha gifted her a while ago.

  “I do.”

  Isaiah’s confident voice cut into her thoughts. She raised her eyes to him, and immediately wished she hadn’t. He wore that freaking gotcha expression she hated so much, topped off by a smirk.

  “Then by the power vested in me…”

  The reality hit her, then like a slap to the face, bringing instant tears to her eyes. She felt them, the invisible ties binding her to the man at her side. Slowly she felt her hope draining away, taking with it any chance for happiness, any chance for laughter.

  “…husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

  She’d have collapsed if her new husband hadn’t settled a death grip on her elbow. Behind them the crowd cheered, chanting kiss, kiss.

  Tremors rocked her body. Her heart thumped so loud she wouldn’t have been surprised if everyone heard it. It was crying out. That’s what it was doing, crying out for Maysin.

  “Well, wife? Care to seal this deal?” Isaiah raised an eyebrow and she stared at him like he’d gone mad.

  Seal what deal?

  “Kiss. Kiss.”

  Ah, yes. This deal. Lips quivering, she tilted her head up, offering herself. He covered her mouth, tongue delving between her lips. She dug her nails into his forearm for balance.

  You can do this, Harper. You’re strong enough to get through this. But what about a broken heart? Could she get over that?

  She went through the motions after the ceremony, all movements mechanical, barely speaking as she exited the church. The morning drizzle had given way to a steady downpour and she raced to the white stretch limo while Isaiah stayed inside to shake hands. She needed at least this time to herself.

  As the driver opened the car door, a movement down the street caught her eye. She turned.

  Maysin stood in the rain, exposed, watching her.

  “Maysin,” she whispered his name and then spoke louder, “Maysin.”

  He met her gaze, those green eyes so sad, defeated.

  She moved in his direction. Flinging away the bouquet of lilacs, she held out a hand. He shook his head and turned, hurrying away. “Maysin!” She gathered up the wet hem of her dress and ran after him. “Maysin!” If he heard her, and she knew he did, he never turned back, never.

  “Don’t leave me! Maysin. Maysin!” A heel broke. Her ankle twisted and she went down on the wet sidewalk, sobbing, calling his name, but he never slowed. She searched the retreating crowd, but he’d disappeared, taking her heart, her love.

  About the Author

  A Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y with a Spousal Equivalent of almost eight years. Together they raise a 7 y/o daughter who loves reading and school (wonder how long that will last). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing plot points of The Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother

  Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ‘09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Avril remains a believer of love in all its forms.

  Visit: http://www.avrilashton.webs.com

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