I spun her in the air and kissed her hard.
“You’d do that for me?” I murmured against her mouth.
She nodded. “You were the only man brave enough to make me his queen. My place is by your side. And I’m happy I don’t have to give that up.”
Emotion clogged my chest.
The blood in my veins burned hot, while a cold sweat ran down my spine at how close I had come to losing this perfect—thisbeautiful—future I didn’t deserve but would fight like hell to keep.
And then the words tumbled out.
“I love you, little bird.”
Gabriella pulled back, pressed her lips to my forehead, and held my head between her hands. “I love you, my handsome, vicious prince.”
Hearing those words once was not enough. Later, when my cock was buried deep between her legs, she was going to say it again…and again…and again as I filled her up.
Chapter 50 – Gabriella
To my surprise, tonight’s activities were taking place in a training gym instead of the pub.
Every other celebration or gathering seemed to take place on those hallowed grounds. I would have felt more at ease beneath the low wooden beams stained dark with age, the muted glow, and the floors sticky with spilled beer and whiskey. A restaurant. Asanctuary.
Instead, harsh fluorescent lights flickered overhead, throwing a sharp glare across the room. They accented the murmured conversations and the restless shuffle of boots. The gym had plenty of training equipment, but most of it had been pushed to the sides. Center stage was a boxing ring set on a raised platform a few steps above the crowd.
There was an electrical charge in the room like a thunderstorm about to break. Everyone knew something was about to happen. But judging by the surprise on their faces when they saw me, I doubted they knew what.
A few voices whispered my name as the men surrounded Liam as he made his way toward the boxing ring. I felt their questions.If a civil war was blooming on the horizon, then my marriage to the boss didn’t help matters much. Maybe I shouldn’t have come. I bit my lip to make it stop trembling. Liam didn’t seem to notice—thank the saints. Keeping his arm around me, he pushed through the crowd. He didn’t release me until he deposited me safely beside Connor.
I gave Liam a squeeze, which sent a shockwave of fear straight to my heart.
And then my touch fell away. The distance became an ocean, and it threatened to swallow me whole.
Liam made his way to the steps which led onto the platform. Standing next to the table was his family’s friend, the redheaded doctor. They shook hands. A terse acknowledgement rippled through the air around them.
I gripped the horned pendant. It was just a silly talisman, but anything to keep him safe, anything to protect this good, beautiful man.
You have to survive.
Liam was everything.
The crowd parted again, and the scrawny kinsman with the thin mustache and hipster glasses scuttled forward.
“How the hell does he think he’ll beat Liam?” I hissed under my breath.
Connor shrugged. “He’s proficient in several martial arts and other combat sports.”
My eyes bugged out. “Really?”
Connor only nodded.
Well…shit.
“Gentlemen.” Doc Ryan’s voice boomed through the room. “Tonight we gather to settle the question of power.”
A hush fell over the crowd.
“Since you have accepted Liam’s challenge, Kevin, the choice of weapons goes to you.”
