Chapter 89

Jane hadn’t known that, but it was catchy considering the school was called Helldonna. After all, he was one of the football captains. “So, he thinks you’re going to queen me?”

A wicked smile graced his face. “When Luc destroyed our team, no one else has carried the team to the playoffs. Until I joined, that is. So, they call me the King of Demons, and I’ll be the king when I secure the title for our school.”

“If,” she said, curtly. “You have to get past my boys, which you lost to this past week.”

“Yes.” His eyes gleamed. “I did not expect David to perform as well without Ryder. We underestimated him.”

She knew her smile was smug. “He’s the bestest.”

“If you say so.” He sat quietly, watching her again. “Do you want to be Luc’s queen?”

“That’s for me to discuss with him, I think.” She felt her skin heat as his gaze traveled down her body. “Stop.”

“Just admiring.” He reached for another cookie. “They are lucky Ryder loves you so.” “Why?”

“Because Ryder is a beast.” He dipped his cookie in the milk. “And a king all by himself. If he were to threaten anyone about you, they’d step down. Even David.”

“David wouldn’t give me up,” she said, though she feared he would. He had been trying to let her go.

“He’d have no choice if Ryder wanted to fight for you. You have no idea how badass your boyfriend is.”

A giddy feeling warred with her responsible side. “Ryder wouldn’t fight for me like that, especially with David.”

“Oh, he would.” He chuckled. “But, as I said, they are lucky he loves you so much. It’s why he has been so patient. He knew if he made a move on you David would do something, and then he’d have to decide whether to destroy him or step aside.”

She frowned, thinking over how well David and Ryder got along with her. Ryder had been the playful one, the one stepping down, she could say. But, clearly, everyone knew Ryder could wipe the floor with anyone. “He’s the sweetest guy in the world,” she whispered more to herself than Damon. He laughed quietly, almost choking on his cookie. “Probably for you, yes.” “So, you’re not going to spy on me,” she said, sitting up.

“Watching over you,” he said before giving her a closed-mouth smile. “Trust me, I don’t mind.” Jane rolled her eyes. “You’re such a bad flirt.” “I had to try,” he said, chuckling.

Jane realized she really liked him, and the itchy feeling almost instantly eased. “So, you’ll be around if I need you?”

“I’ll always be available to you.” He held out his hand. “Your phone? I’ll give you my number and get yours.”

She grinned, handing it to him. “Smooth way of getting a girl’s number.”

He smirked but kept his attention on the phone. “You make me try harder than any other girl.”

Now, she laughed. “And here I thought I was easy.”

“Easy?” He tossed the phone to her. “Ryder has been pining after you for years. I wonder if he really made the first move.”

Her body went up in flames. She had been the one to tell Ryder how she felt first, not Ryder.

She’d been the one to turn a kiss into something more, to tell him to take her virginity.

His deep chuckle halted at the sound of the front door opening. Kingston was home.

Damon stood, turning toward her stepfather and held out his hand. “Kingston Leodegrance, I’m

Damon King. I go to school with Jane.”

Kingston sent her a glare but shook Damon’s hand. “I’ve seen you play. Impressive.” “Thank you, sir.”

“Not good enough to see my daughter,” Kingston retorted before focusing on Jane. “You’re grounded, young lady. That means no boys, even new ones. Even the boy who defended you from your attacker Friday night.”

Before Jane could reply, Damon was speaking. “Sylvia invited me inside to meet her. I don’t think she realized I met Jane Friday . . . But I took the opportunity to express to Jane she had a friend. My group saw what happened, and we don’t support Dylan. But our classmates do.”

Kingston sighed, his gaze softening as he took her in. “It was bad?”

She could only shrug. She hated being mad with him, especially when he looked at her like she was his little girl that he didn’t know how to protect.

“I hoped no one would recognize you,” he said, setting aside his briefcase. “Did this young man help?”

“His friends did,” she said with a smile. “Damon assured me I can call on him, though. He’s a bit of royalty, as far as the school is concerned.”

“Well.” Kingston walked around until he stood between her and Damon. At first, he stared at her face, his blue eyes just a paler shade of David’s. “I think we should talk, Jane.” He turned to Damon, shaking hands. “Thank you for everything you’ve done. But I will be upset if you are alone with her while she is grounded.”

Damon grinned, snagging another cookie. “I can respect your rules. But I might sneak over for Sylvia’s cookies. They’re sweeter than your stepdaughter.”

Kingston actually laughed, but he ushered Damon toward the door. “In those instances, I expect to see you sitting close to my mother, not staring at Jane like she’s your prey.”

Damon winked at her before opening the door. Then he stumbled back. He’d stumbled because there was a very fierce boy standing outside.

“Ryder,” she whispered, her lips trembling as Kingston put a hand on her shoulder to hold her in place.

Her bad boy sized Damon up before moving aside. “Beat it.” She wanted to smile as Damon chuckled and passed him.

“Ryder skipped practice and came to see me,” Kingston said quietly then gestured for Ryder to enter. “I brought him to see you so we can talk. I fear you won’t talk to me without him.” He lifted his hand. “Go. Get your little reunion over with.”

That divine smile that made her entire body tingle spread over Ryder's face. “How long are you gonna make me stand here, Sweet Jane?”

Jane whimpered and rushed toward him.

He swooped her up, hugging her as he buried his face against her neck. “Fuck, babe,” he whispered, squeezing her as he kissed her neck.

She cried, kissing his face everywhere she could before he turned and gave the one she needed to live. Tingles. Every caress was a jolt down to his spot and then radiated outward. She felt like a breakable goddess in his arms. One he was prepared to shield, but when he deepened his kiss in front of Kingston, she knew he was always going to see that she was something incredible all by herself. He smiled against her mouth, kissing her sweeter now. “Let me see those pretty eyes.” Opening them, she laughed, holding his face.

“There’s my girl,” he said, pecking her again. “Told you I’d come for you. Always with you, babe.”

She sniffled, nodding as Kingston cleared his throat. Ryder didn’t let her turn just yet. He kissed her firmly on the lips then nuzzled her nose.

“Sit,” Kingston ordered, but the bite from before was gone. “Please.” Jane watched Ryder smile. He’d done magic, she knew it.

He lowered her to her feet but took her hand and led her to the sofa. When he spotted Sylvia standing in the hall, he nodded. “David sends his love.”

Sylvia smiled, taking in the way Ryder held onto her. “I suppose he did.”

Kingston walked over to her, kissing her head. “Mom, I need to speak to them privately.”

“Be nice, son.” She patted Kingston’s cheek. “She’s the daughter you always wanted, remember? You threw her to the wolves today.”

While Kingston’s back was to them, Ryder kissed Jane’s head. “Everything is going to work out, angel.”

She clutched his hand as she searched his face. “What did you do?”

“You’ll see.” He kissed her forehead and nodded as Kingston returned.