Page 124 of War and his Queen

The warmth of his brown eyes heat. “If it isn’t my favorite cherry…”

The small wand I’m holding stains a deep mauve over my lips. “Do you know why you’re here?” I trace my bottom lip with my thumbnail to clean the edges.

“Because as always, I’m whatever youneedme to be.”

My eyes snap to his, before looking around the room.

I relax. “Exactly.”

His long fingers wrap around the bottle of 42. “I’m going to need this more than you, though, especially if I’m dealing with EKC’s finest psychos.”

“Four. There are four down there.” I grab my phone before we all follow Stella out.

Bas hisses through the alcohol as our heels click against the marble hall that leads to the staircase. “This is still classed as work, technically speaking.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” My hand moves aimlessly to the bracelet on my wrist, checking the clasp.

“You’re evil.” His arm falls to his side.

Stella and River stumble down the stairs in a fit of laughter, as we follow not far behind.

“Watch yourself here, Bas…” River jokes from over her shoulder.

Silence. “Thanks for the heads-up, little queen…”

Once we hit the foyer, the air grows tense the closer we get to the family room.

Petty? Maybe. Do I care? No. I probably get it from my mother.

The room falls silent when we enter, and to distract myself, I settle on where Priest is leaning against the doorframe on the other side. I pointedly ignore War, but I know he’s on the sofa near the fireplace, and IknowKatsia is right beside him.

Movement from War as Priest’s shoulders harden when he sees Bas.

No movement from Vaden, but that’s no surprise. He never announces his moves.

“You got a fucking death wish?” I don’t’ know if War is directing his question at me or Bas.

Priest holds my stare.You just had to go lower.

Yup. Yes, well, I did.

“How are you doing, Bas?” Priest’s cool assessment remains stoic, as Bas sits on the curved sofa directly in front of him.

“You know, not too bad, considering…” His eyes widen on my brother, placing an ankle over his knee. Bas could say a lot of shit in this moment, but he won’t because if there’s one thing about Bas Blackwell, it’s that he’ll always protect my pop. “You knowwhat, though, if I missed out on watching the show Halen put out on her Instagram story because I was too busy helping my dick warmer do her job—" His eyes settle on War. “—I’d be mad too.” He grins from behind his glass.

I take that back.

“What’s he talking about?” Vaden shifts his weight forward, turning over his shoulder to find War.

Shit. Fuck.

Katsia bristles, sinking deeper into her chair.

River whines beneath her breath, cussing while heading to the bar.

Stella waves her hand with a sparkle in her eyes that looks a lot like anticipation. “Actually, it was great. Here.”

“Stella,” I growl through the grit of my teeth.

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