Reign of a King (Kingdom Duet 1)

s. “I’ll make sure Aiden behaves.”

I smile at the enthusiasm in her tone and face. There’s something about her that’s both bold and innocent. I wonder how she gets along with a hot-headed person like Aiden. He’s so much like his father, it gives me whiplash.

“I will love to.”

“You will not.”

My back snaps upright and I nearly yelp like a damsel in distress at that strong, authoritative tone.

The entire atmosphere shifts from familial and fun to stormy and dangerous in a fraction of a second as Jonathan strides to the middle of the scene as if he’s the master of it.

The priest’s words and the slight chatter coming from the inside filter and vanish into thin air. Even the people greeting and passing us by might as well be invisible right now.

My entire attention is attuned to the man standing before me in his pressed black suit, diamond cufflinks, and dark leather shoes that I could see my face in if I squint hard enough.

There’s something about Jonathan’s presence that throttles and pins me in place without him having to touch me. The fact that it’s effortless on his part makes him even more frightening. He’s a man in power and he’s well aware of the fact.

All I can do is watch as he dominates the room and everyone in it. Or maybe it’s only me.

His black hair is styled back, revealing that strong forehead and his too-sharp jaw.

He is too sharp.

Everything about him is, from his suit to his face and down to his damn character.

He looks perfect tonight — masculine, groomed, and out to ruin lives. Which is funny since I don’t ever remember seeing Jonathan dishevelled.

Being presentable seems to be his default mode. It’s an extension of his infuriating confidence and how, if he chooses to do so, he can own any place he walks into.

Then I recall that he shouldn’t be here. I didn’t even tell him about the charity event.

“What are you doing here?” I pull myself out of the trance his presence never fails to trap me in.

He places a hand to his pocket. “I was invited.”

“No, you weren’t.”

“Black Belt.” Jonathan raises his brow at Layla.

My eyes snap to the culprit beside me, and I whisper-yell, “You invited Jonathan?!”

She fakes a smile at Ethan, who’s meeting Jonathan’s glare with one of his own, and then at Elsa who seems suffocated by the tension.

Layla pulls me by the sleeve of my dress into a corner and says in a low voice, “To my defence, I didn’t think he’d come.”

“Why would you invite him in the first place?”

“Why do you think? His bank account and the amount of money he writes on cheques.”

“I thought you hated Jonathan.”

“I don’t hate his money. Come on, mate. Think of the cause.”

“Ugh. Fine. But one of these days, I’m going to kill you, Lay.”

“I know you love me. Besides, you don’t have to check your watch now that he’s here.”

I hit her shoulder so she’ll shut up and she hits me back before we re-join the others.