Tragic King (The Dominant Bastard Duology 2)

When Rodrigo got home from his meeting with Fitte’s Loke Sigurdsson, the main floor was filled with the smell of roasting chicken and fresh bread. Since his butler John had retired and moved to Florida with his wife, he wasn’t even sure there were groceries in his house, but thanks to Minnow he never had to worry about food.

Rodrigo found her alone, reading in the screening room.

“You’re going to make us all fat.”

She startled then rolled her eyes at him.

“He’s down at the forge.”

“Loke wants us to bring the bikes he ordered to a concert they’re having nearby.” He laughed. “I swear I make that band extra money just so they can buy more from Severin.”

“You’d better go tell him.”

“I wanted to talk to you anyway.”

She laid her book aside then tucked her feet up underneath her, wrapping her arms around herself and looking adorable in her oversized sweater.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing. I just wanted to make sure you were okay after what happened at the bar. I haven’t talked to you alone since then.”

She smiled shyly, and he let himself admire the red bow of her lips and the way her eyes still widened with that intrinsic sweet innocence that had drawn both him and Severin to her. She hadn’t been an innocent by the time they’d met her, but her submissive nature always made her seem young. Well, that and the fact that she was years younger than they were.

It had been impossible not to fall in love wi

th her. He’d kept waiting for the other shoe to drop – to finally prove she wasn’t good enough for Severin – but she was, even though he didn’t want anyone else to be.

She was better for Sev than he was. She was better for him than Sev was. She balanced them.

“I’m fine.” She smiled again, but he didn’t buy it.

“You were surprised.”

She shrugged. “I’m not sure why. You’re both better actors than I gave you credit for. It never even crossed my mind.”

“I never meant to insinuate myself into your relationship, no matter how much I’ve always wanted him.”

She grabbed his hand and squeezed it, then brought his knuckles to her mouth and kissed them.

“I know. This isn’t just what he wants, Ro. When you guys were fighting and I hadn’t clued in yet? I was afraid you’d leave us. You’re part of our relationship and always have been.” She tilted her head adorably and she smirked. “The only difference now is maybe I’ll get a breather once in a while. I have no problem making some popcorn and watching him pin you down and fuck your ass in the ballroom.”

Rodrigo felt the tips of his ears heat. “In the ballroom?”

“Yeah, that’s what I got my first time, so it’s only fair. If you get a bed the first time, we’ll know who his favorite really is.”

“I know why he chose the floor.” He sprawled on the couch beside her and tapped her collar. “It makes sense not to let little pets up on the furniture. It makes them forget their place.”

Minnow turned a brilliant shade of crimson and punched his shoulder.

“I can see we’re going to need to set some ground rules.”

Her eyes widened.

“Just because I have submissive tendencies with Severin doesn’t mean you can act like you and I have equal power in this situation.”

“Don’t we?” she asked. “If we’re both his submissives? Besides, he collared me first. That has to count for something. I’m like...the senior submissive in this relationship.”

“You’re the submissive he shares with me and lets me discipline.”