Chapter 110 Would You Die For Me?
Kira’s POV
Adrian’s fingers wrapped around my arm like iron wrapped in velvet. “What…” I started, but the protest died the second my eyes crashed into his.
He didn’t say a word. Just yanked me back into the room, kicked the door shut with his heel, and crushed his mouth to mine.
Holy. Shit.
It wasn’t a kiss. It was a claim. His hand fisted in my hair, tilting my head exactly how he wanted, tongue sliding against mine like he’d been starving for me his whole damn life.
My knees buckled. Literally. He caught me, backed me against the wall, and kissed me deeper…slow, filthy, perfect. My lips were tingling, swelling, on fire. I hated how good it felt. I hated that I kissed him back like I’d die if I didn’t.
When he finally pulled away, we were both breathing like we’d run a marathon. His forehead rested against mine, gray eyes dark and wild.
“Couldn’t let you walk out of here without reminding you who you belong to,” he rasped.
I shoved at his chest, cheeks burning. “You’re insane. We have a funeral to get to!”
He smirked, thumb brushing my bottom lip. “Exactly. Now you’re beginning to understand that I’m insane about you.”
I didn’t have a comeback for that. Because yeah… I’m equally insane for letting him kiss me like that.
We made it out of the room somehow. Victoria and some of the other men were already in the SUV ahead of us.
She had practically locked Antonio in the hotel room earlier saying she didn’t want him anywhere around Miranda. I thought he was going to fight to leave, but he was even the one that shut the door himself like she finally bewitched him or something.
Adrian and I slid into the back of the sleek black car waiting for us. I immediately scooted all the way to the window, pressing myself against the glass like I could melt into it. My lips still throbbed. My whole body still hummed with needs that weren’t met.
And whose fault is it anyway? Not the time, Kira. Focus on the plan.
He watched me for three whole seconds, then his arm snaked around my waist like it had every right in the world. One smooth tug and I was plastered against his chest, heart slamming so hard I was sure he could feel it.
“I was wondering why I couldn’t breathe properly,” he growled against my ear. “Didn’t know you were trying to become one with the window.”
I elbowed him. “Personal space, Your Majesty. Ever heard of it?”
He didn’t budge. Instead, he pulled me straight onto his lap.
I squeaked as my legs straddled him, dress riding up my thighs. The driver didn’t even glance back.
Professional…like it was the most casual thing in the world. Still, my face went nuclear.
“What are you doing?” I hissed, trying to wiggle off.
Adrian’s hands settled on my waist, thumbs stroking slow circles that made my brain short-circuit. “Soon enough you’ll realize you can’t live without me, princess. Don’t worry…when the time comes, I won’t play hard to get. I’ll be right here, waiting like your good little puppy.”
I glared down at him. “Does that explain why I’m currently sitting on your dick in the back of a moving car?”
His grin was pure sin. “Exactly.”
He pulled me down until my chest was flush against his, one big hand sliding lower to rest on my ass, the other splaying across my back. Then he buried his face in my neck and inhaled…deep, slow, like he was pulling my soul into his lungs.
“Just want my scent all over you,” he murmured against my skin. “Don’t mind me.”
“Mind you?” I sputtered. “You’re literally groping me and I don’t want it!”
He looked up. For a split second, real hurt flashed in those gray eyes…raw, unguarded, like I’d punched him in the chest. My stupid heart squeezed. I had to remind myself that he’s the villain that wants to sacrifice me.
I hardened everything inside me. “Let me go.”
He caught my chin with two fingers, gentle but firm, turning my face back to his. Those eyes… God, they were pleading. Pure and sincere in the truest way possible. Like he’d burn the world down if I asked him to. I felt myself melting, leaning in—
No. Stop it, Kira!
I jerked my head away and stared out the window. Anger bubbled up hot and fast. He has a mistress. A child. Caroline and their son…the prince.
He’s playing me just to get what he wants. I don’t care about him. I don’t. When this is over, when I’ve used him to get my mom’s company back, I’ll sell everything and disappear to some beach where wolves and kings don’t exist.
“What can I do?” he asked quietly, voice rough. “Tell me what I have to do for you to forgive me. To accept me. I’ll do anything.”
I laughed, short and bitter. “You could try jumping out of this moving vehicle, your majesty.”
The second the words left my mouth, he shifted me off his lap, reached over, and popped the door handle.
Cold air rushed in. The car was doing sixty on the highway and this lunatic decided to be dramatic?!
I screamed, lunging for him. “Adrian!”
He paused, one foot already out, wind whipping his hair, and gave me the saddest smile I’d ever seen. “Didn’t you say I should jump?”
My heart rate spiked so hard I saw spots. “Will you actually die if I asked you to? What the hell is your problem?!”
He pulled his leg back in, closed the door, and looked at me with those same devastating eyes. “If my death would make you accept me… forgive me… I’d do it gladly, Princess.”
Why do I feel like he’s being genuine? Would he really do that? The car filled with heavy silence instantly.
Then, I remembered Liana’s warning…how he needed me as a sacrifice to break his curse. This had to be an act. Perfect, Oscar-worthy bullshit so I’d let my guard down.
Right?
And yet… I’d seen how genuine he looked two seconds ago.
My head spun. How can the same man who’d die for me also want to slit my throat on some altar?
Just then, a voice…not mine…whispered inside my skull, clear as day. ‘How can a maid know all that she knows? Isn’t that concerning?’
I blinked hard, agreeing with the train of thought. “Right??”
The word slipped out loud. Adrian frowned. “What?”
I froze, ice shooting down my spine. Had I finally lost it? Hearing voices now? Great. Add ‘going crazy’ to the revenge to-do list.
Before I could spiral harder, the driver’s calm voice cut through. “We’ve arrived, sir. St. Augustine’s.”
I shoved every chaotic thought into a box, locked it, and exhaled. Time to attend my own funeral.
Adrian reached over and took my hand, threading our fingers together. His palm was warm, and steady. “Don’t forget,” he said softly, “I’m right by your side. Whatever happens in there… you’re not alone.”
I squeezed back once…hard…then let go and stepped out of the car.
The church loomed in front of us, black hearses lined up like shiny coffins. Fake flowers everywhere. Fake tears already flowing from the steps.
Frederick and Evelyn stood at the entrance shaking hands like grieving parents of the year. Miranda posed beside them in a black dress that probably cost more than my coffin, dabbing her eyes with a tissue that had zero mascara on it.
My stomach twisted, but not with sadness… With pure, burning rage.
This was it. The very first act of my revenge.
I was going to walk into that church, sit in the front row, and watch them bury me while I breathed right in front of them.
Then I was going home…to my house…and I was going to smile, laugh, and slowly, deliciously, destroy every single one of them from the inside out.
Adrian’s hand brushed the small of my back as we started up the steps, but I didn’t pull away.
Let them see us together. Let them wonder who the hell the woman in the blood-red dress was.
Because the girl they killed?
She was back.
And the funeral they threw for me?
It was about to become their worst nightmare.