Kings of Blood and Money (Underworld Kings)

Tightening my hands on the steering wheel, I guide the car down the winding roads. Nothing but dark fields. The farther away I drive, the worse my stomach knots. I suppose that place was a safe haven from Noah’s cold gaze and hateful words. Noah harvested a hate toward me that penetrated right to my soul and never seemed to wane.

Blasting the radio, I sigh. Things will be different now. If they’re not, I’ll just leave. Go find Ivy and follow through on that dream of running away we once had.

Thunder clouds groan, a spark of lightening igniting the sky from above, altering the atmosphere, welcoming me home. I pull up to the iron gates. They seem taller than I remember. More imposing. More a prison than the school I just left. The security house door opens, and Roman, the security guard who’s worked here the past four years, squeezes his large body through the doorframe. If the giant man with scars all over his bald head and hands the size of a bears wasn’t intimidating enough, the gun openly strapped to his hip makes me squirm in my seat.

“Miss Remington.” He nods. “Welcome home.” At least someone is here to welcome me back.

“Thank you, sir,” I mumble through the open car window, wind ruffling my hair. I bite my lip, tapping my hands on the steering wheel, waiting for the gates to groan, the steel clanking as they open before me. Stealing a breath, I drive up the gravel driveway, every second sending my heart rocketing, and park on the side of the property, hoping it won’t be in anyone’s way.

Opening the door, I step out just as the first drop of rain falls, hitting my cheek and dripping to my chest. Staring up at the huge property, more castle than house, my fingers curl into fists. Things will be different. I’m different. The elegant cream stone and tall beams holding up balconies all around the third floor is what made me love this place. It’s fairy-tale beautiful, with lights all around, making it almost glow when the sun disappears from the sky. “I’ve got this,” I murmur to myself, popping the trunk and reaching for the handle of my suitcase.

Five years in one small suitcase.

Punching the security code into the alarm system, I let myself inside. It’s quiet, no staff milling around, just the familiar scent of pinewood and cinnamon. I’m home.

“Hello?” I call out.

Nothing.

A heavy sigh escapes my lips, misery snarling through me as I drag my case up the stairs. When I hear the shower coming from Remi’s room, his door ajar, I stall in my step.

My heart shudders in my chest.

I haven’t seen him since the night I was caught spying on him.

“Are you ready for that kiss now?”

I swallow, shaking off the memory, and move closer, sneaking a peek inside. His bed covers are disheveled. His scent coats me in a caress. I inhale him, never wanting to exhale. Remi always smells of the outdoors and clean linen. The twins share a face, a flawless physique they work hard to perfect, but that’s where the similarities end. Remi is all sexy relaxed. Jeans and t-shirts that do nothing to hide what lies beneath.

Noah is all business. He oozes danger. His faultless features are hard and icy. Attire is smart, professional, all designed flawlessly to encase his frame. And it worked for him. God, could that boy pull off a suit and tie. My legs squeeze together to ward off the throbbing building there. Noah is a beast. His penetrating gaze chases me in my dreams, and yet I’d still drop to my knees before him if he told me to. Willingly welcome him into my mouth. Caress his hardness with my tongue until he ordered me to stop.

The shower turns off, jarring me.

Hurrying away, I climb the second set of stairs to my floor. No one ever comes up here. The entire floor is avoided like the plague by everyone but me and…

“Midnight.” I screech a little too loudly. My buddy races toward me, rubbing his body across my shins. Reaching down, I scoop him up, his purr buzzing in my ear as I snuggle him.

“Who’s been taking care of you?” I coo, noticing bowls placed outside my room with food and milk inside. My door’s been left open for him to come and go as he pleases, which is new. There are two other rooms on this floor that have always been empty. When I was younger, Midnight and I used to explore them, making up games that we were in a hotel and each room had guests inside—fun people with enchanting lives.

“I missed you, yes I did,” I baby talk to him, abandoning my suitcase and throwing myself on the bed. I moan when Midnight takes the opportunity to escape my love.