Page 249 of Lethal King

“I’ll be down in a moment,” I grumble.

Shuffling over to the closet, I find a shirt and start to get dressed.

“What’s he doing here?” Rozalia asks. Standing up, she comes to join me.

“I guess he’s finally decided to answer one of my fucking calls.”

“You should be punishing him for ignoring you so blatantly,” she suggests, resting her chin on my shoulder. “It’s disrespectful.”

“No,” I say, buttoning up my dress shirt. “I’m done being combative with my own allies. I don’t want to end up like Leander.”

“You and Leander are nothing alike.”

“I know. But I still have to prove it. Every single day, I have to prove it.”

“Poor you.”

With a teasing kiss on the neck, Rozalia steps away again.

“It’s a king’s duty.”

“How mature.”

I can’t help but laugh.

“Don’t jinx it, angel. This is the first time I’ll be talking directly to an Italian since I called off our wedding and announced my intention to rule as an unmarried king.”

“You think they’re still pissed? Why exactly? Just because they can’t force you to marry one of their daughters?”

“I’m sure we’ll exchange some heated words,” I nod.

“You think you can handle that alone?”

“Yes. You’ve calmed me.”

“Maybe,” Rozalia laughs. “But only outside of the bedroom.”

“Just how you like it. Would you like to come downstairs with me?”

“I was planning on it,” she immediately replies. “We’re supposed to be partners, after all.”

“More than partners,” I smirk. Turning around, I gaze up and down her perfect body. For the first time since she snuck in my window, I spot the blood stain around the neckline of her black turtleneck. “How was your day? Any luck finding Tytus?”

Rozalia’s steady spirit falters at the mention of her missing brother.

“No,” she sighs. “No one’s seen him since you left him in the woods.” A heavy pause fills the air. “Rian, I’m worried about him.”

Dropping her chin, Rozalia goes to hug herself. But before she can, I do the job for her. She sinks into my embrace, and I hold her tight.

This is a vulnerable side of her that only I get to see. For someone so tough, Rozalia can be surprisingly fragile when it comes to those she cares about.

I’ve decided to commit the rest of my life to protecting this side of her, as well as every other side, at all costs—even when she doesn’t need my help.

“I’m sure he’s fine,” I insist. “We’ve both heard the rumors. Some old Greek mafia families have been reappearing, causing trouble. Someone has to be behind that. I bet it’s Tytus. It has to be. Wasn’t that the plan all along? To take what Leander had started and use it for your own benefit?”

Rubbing her forehead against my chest, Rozalia considers the theory before positing her own.

“I still think it’s Krol.”