The Marriage Debt (Underworld Kings)

And I’d be lying if I said it didn’t turn me on.

She’s right. I am sick.

But I don’t fucking care.

I take another sip of my rum.

Jill is my wife now. And I’ll be damned if I don’t enjoy every last inch of her body like it always belonged to me.

As I overlook the city, my soon-to-be empire, my eyes land on the bookshelf in the corner of the room. I get up and walk to the dusty shelves where a crown lies on the top. I take it off and stare at it. I’d forgotten I even got it from her parents when she ran away. A promise, to me.

She would be found … and she would marry me.

Oh, the way things have turned out since then.

This little kid’s crown is filled with memories of lies and obsession.

Even back when we were little, I wanted to torment her and invade her every thought. I couldn’t get enough. No matter how sick and twisted I became, I still chased after her, no matter how much she hated me.

All it did was make me want … more.

But now she’s finally here in my goddamn penthouse as my wife. My fucking princess.

Age 9

* * *

Once upon a time, there was a girl with a crown too heavy for her head … and a prince more than willing to take over for her.

When Jill is least expecting it, I snatch the crown off her head and run off with it.

“No, give that back!” she shrieks.

But all it does is make me laugh as I dangle the crown around my finger.

I love seeing her get all worked up, but what I love more is when she chases me.

“C’mon then. I dare you to get it back,” I taunt.

Rage almost spews from her eyes like a fucking laser. “Give. It. Back.”

What is she going to do? I can’t wait to find out.

When she approaches me, I keep backing away, wondering how far she’s willing to go. How close she’s willing to get.

“Stop,” she says through gritted teeth.

A grin spreads across my face. “No.”

She runs straight at me, catching me off guard. But I avoid her and twirl the crown around so she can’t grab it. “Missed.”

This is so much more fun than whatever boring game Jasmine and Jill were playing.

She groans, visibly frustrated. “Luca!”

“Jill!” I repeat, egging her on. I love it when she gets this annoyed with me. There’s something about seeing all those emotions light up on her face like fireworks.

“C’mon, Luca …” Jasmine scoffs, sighing loudly as if it’ll make me stop.

“What, Jasmine?” I retort as she follows us around the garden in that dumb pink dress.

“It’s not funny!” Jill yells, still chasing after me, but I win every single time she tries to snatch the crown out of my hands.

Suddenly, she stops and says, “Why do you do this? Huh?”

Because I like it, that’s why.

But I’m not gonna tell her that.

“Because you look stupid,” I quip.

The shocked look on her face is amazing. “I do not!”

“Only queens and princesses wear crowns,” I say. “And you’re neither.”

Now that’s really gonna piss her off.

Her voice gets even louder as she spews, “I am a queen!”

I hold up a finger. “Queens are only queens if they’re married to a king.” I put the crown on my own head. “Maybe I’ll be one now.”

Jasmine laughs but immediately hides her smile behind her hand when Jill notices.

“C’mon then, Jill. You wanted to be a queen,” I add, bowing for her.

She throws me a look of disgust. “What? You want me to be your queen?”

I tilt my head. “A queen isn’t a queen if she isn’t married.”

She turns and sticks up her nose like only a snooty little princess would. “I would rather marry a slug than you.”

A slug?

Better than me?

“A slug?” I can’t even stop the laughter from rolling off my tongue.

Jasmine tugs at Jill’s arm. “Let’s do something else.”

“No, I want my crown back,” Jill replies. “He can’t bully me.”

Bully her? Is that what she thinks I’m doing?

Fine, I’ll show her.

When the two aren’t looking, I dive into the grass and find the slimiest slug I can find. I approach her with the crown in my hands, hiding the slug underneath.

“I’ll give it back …” I lie.

When she holds out her hand, I place the slug on her palm instead.

The shriek that follows is the loudest one I’ve ever heard, and it makes me laugh so hard I can’t even catch my breath.

Toying with Jill Baas is the best thing ever, and I don’t think I’ll ever get enough.

Ever.

Present

* * *

Before I go into the venue with my father, I adjust my suit and take a deep breath. Inside, a new De Vos partner is waiting for me, and I give him a handshake. “Luca De Vos. I’m overseeing business right now.”