The Marriage Debt (Underworld Kings)

Fuck me. It used to be easy to put all the things he said away in my mind when I still believed he hated me. But now … now it’s like he can reach straight into my chest and make my heart beat for me.

“I don’t understand why you suddenly care,” I murmur.

He lowers his gaze, looking at me in a demanding way. “I’ve always cared.”

The brush of the swab doesn’t even faze me anymore. All I can focus on are how gorgeous those dark eyes of his are and just how wrong I was all these years about my own feelings for him.

Maybe I didn’t hate him for stealing all the things I never wanted to give … But only hated him for making me feel things I didn’t want to feel for him.

I swallow down the lump in my throat when he leans up on my knees and arches his back to meet my gaze from down below, huddling between my legs, lips perked, my head lowering to get closer to his. And the kiss that follows is nothing short of sweet bliss.

A low, resonating groan emanating from deep within his chest makes my clit throb again. And when he smiles against my lips, I know for sure. The devil stole my heart and made it his.

Luca

* * *

I wake up to the sound of my phone buzzing.

My hands are still firmly curled around Jill’s waist, her body easing into mine as she sleeps tight. I don’t want this moment to end, but the phone keeps buzzing, and it’s my job to pick up.

Groaning, I turn to grab it.

“He’s on the move.”

I sit up straight in bed. It’s my private detective.

“Where?”

“Inside the city.”

“What?! And you didn’t tell me?” I say through gritted teeth as I get up and grab some pants to put on.

“I called as soon as possible, once my men detected him, but you weren’t picking up.”

“It’s the middle of the fucking night,” I growl back.

I hastily put on my things with one hand, keeping an eye on Jill so she doesn’t wake up. She’s not going to like it, but now that it’s happening, I have no choice but to leave.

“What are you going to do?” he asks.

“I’ll figure it out,” I reply, and I shut off the phone.

Of course he wouldn’t ever involve himself. He knows better than to barge in to mafia business.

And it leaves me no choice but to handle this myself.

Fuck.

I’m going to have to resort to plan B.

Shit’s about to go down, and someone’s gonna get hurt.

Jill

* * *

Hours later, I wake up in shock and sit up straight.

I didn’t even realize I’d fallen asleep.

One second, Luca carries me to his bed and curls his arm around me to hold me tight, making me feel like I’m on cloud nine, and the next, I’m dreaming of him killing every damn fucker who ever tried to hurt me. For just a moment, I could forget about who we are and believe in the story of us.

I blink a couple of times to gather my bearings. It’s the middle of the night, and the rain is still pitter-pattering against the window. But the bed beside me is empty. Cold. As though Luca has been gone for quite a while.

Where did he go?

I get out of bed, only to realize I’m still very much naked.

Clutching the blanket, I quickly grab some clothes from the closet that fit me. An oversized hoodie and a pair of sweatpants that Lita probably bought in my size at Luca’s request.

I open the door and peer out. Everything is still pitch black.

“Luca?” I call out.

There’s no response. Not a single sound.

I walk out and check the living room and the kitchen, as well as the bathroom, but there’s really no one here except me.

What is going on? Why did he leave so suddenly in the middle of the night?

When I turn my head, there’s that door again, luring me in.

His office.

The one place I haven’t fully explored yet.

I swallow and go back into my room to grab another pin. Even though I’m not supposed to, there’s no one here to reprimand me, so I shove the bobby pin into the lock and wriggle it around just like before.

It doesn’t take me long to open it.

I know Luca doesn’t want me to snoop, but I can’t stop myself from opening the door and stepping inside. If he’s gone, this is my only shot at finding out if he is being truthful to me … or if he’s still a liar through and through.

My body is a bundle of nerves as I sneak inside and quietly peek around to make sure the place is really abandoned. I even make a stop at the bunny’s room, giving it a few pets as it chews on its freshly cut carrot. Someone’s been in here recently, but it’s deserted now.