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Jin was on his feet before West finished speaking. A light flush dusted his high cheekbones and his eyes were wide. “Have you lost your mind?” he snapped. West had to retreat a step for each of Jin’s steps forward while the crown prince poked him in the middle of the chest with one finger. “You’ve gone insane if you think for even a second that I would agree to a marriage with someone I didn’t love while keeping you on the side as some…some…some…secret mistress! If we decide we want to be together for the rest of our lives, you are the one I am going to marry, and that’s final. If I can’t have you, I’m not marrying.”
“But—”
“No! No buts. No excuses. The crown prince has made a decree!”
It was becoming impossible not to laugh. Crown Prince Jin Long Wei was adorable when he was angry. His heart sped up at the thought that Jin might fight for him, but he had to do his part. He had to make sure that he was someone worth fighting for.
But he didn’t know what he could do or say that would convince the emperor that he was worthy of his eldest son.
West cupped his cheek, letting his thumb lightly graze the delicate curve of Jin’s lower lip. “How does anyone have a defense against you when you’re so cute?”
Jin sucked in a breath and turned his head, trying to capture West’s thumb with his teeth. “I’m not cute. I’m fierce. I’m determined.”
“You’re mine,” West stated, snagging Jin’s mouth in a hard kiss that left the shorter man melting into him, his arms wrapping around his waist. He broke off the kiss before it could go too far, and he was eating his own words as he stripped off more of Jin’s clothes.
Responsible.
This was the word of the day.
Responsible.
West pressed their foreheads together. “With what lies ahead, I’m just saying that we need to be a little more cautious for a while. Slow down. You have your father to worry about, the financial future of the kingdom, and a price on your head. Jumping into a new relationship shouldn’t be on your to-do list.”
“I agree, but I would like to remind you that my life is always full of chaotic, urgent matters that demand my attention. If I’m always waiting for a quiet moment to make decisions about my personal life, they will never be made.”
That…was a frighteningly good point.
Jin pulled away enough to look him in the eye. “You’ve been very concerned with how my world reacts to you, but have you given much thought to how your life will be turned upside down if you decide to become part of my life? The new wardrobe and etiquette lessons are the tip of the iceberg, as the saying goes. We would both have endlessly long days where we barely see each other. We would have countless social engagements, together and separately. My mate, my consort in life, is a job.” Jin’s expression twisted up as if he were in pain. “Would you choose that over being a mercenary with your friends?” Jin swallowed hard, his voice becoming so soft. “Do you think you could choose me over them?”
West almost laughed.
It wasn’t as hard of a decision as Jin thought it might be.
As a sniper, he had a sharp eye, and the writing was on the wall for their little team. Charlie got his Will back. They were having some fun now, but it was only a matter of time before they settled down somewhere and built a life together.
Kairo was wrapped up in Isidore, and more than happy to bounce between the mercenary work and learning all of Isidore’s vineyards and olive farms.
And now Ed had Max. When Max wasn’t out digging in the sand and hunting lost treasures, he was going to be lecturing and writing papers. Ed might not be willing to admit it, but it was clear he was looking to slow down, just like Charlie. He’d found the perfect reason in Max.
They’d been doing their independent mercenary thing for three years now, never expecting it to last forever. And not one of them had expected to want someone so much.
West had never thought he’d find someone. As he watched the guys settle into relationships, he’d been mentally preparing himself to go solo. Maybe follow Alexei and Soren around for a little.
But now that he had these eyes to stare into every day, those perfect lips to kiss, he didn’t want to go anywhere at all. The old shadows of countless bloody missions had started to fade. When he was with Jin, he smoked less and smiled more. Even amid the chaos of constant activity, there was a bubble of peace that surrounded Jin, and that peace was sinking into West more and more every second they were together.
