Page 195 of King of Sin
Her lashes lowered slightly, fingers absentmindedly playing with his shirt as her voice softened.
“I was dreaming about that night at the club… when I last saw him,” she admitted. “When I was injured. Bleeding. He left me there.”
Her throat tightened.
“And in the dream… you left me too.”
She lifted her eyes to him, something vulnerable flickering in them.
“I wasn’t missing him,” she said quietly. “I was scared you would leave me.”
A pause.
“I haven’t really had anyone who stayed since my parents died,” she added, voice softer now. “I thought Vincent would never betray me… because we were friends for so long. Friends are supposed to be loyal, right?”
Her smile turned faintly confused.
“I think that’s why he hurt me so easily. He knew I was too starved for love to ever question him.”
Silence settled between them.
Then Juliet took a breath.
“But I’m not stupid,” she said firmly. “I would never go back to someone who betrayed me.”
Her expression held for a moment… then softened.
A warm smile spread across her face as she suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled into him.
“I already have a rich, loyal billionaire who loves me to death,” she said lightly, tilting her head up to look at him. “Why would I ever go back to a traitor like him?”
For a moment, Cassian didn’t move.
Then all the jealousy, anger, and tension in him shattered.
His arms tightened around her as something warmer replaced it entirely—something almost fragile in its intensity, as though her words had undone every wall he had been holding up.
A slow smile spread across his face as he tightened his arms around her, pulling her even closer until there wasn't a single inch separating them. He held her as though she was the most precious treasure he had ever been given, his chin coming to rest lightly atop her head as he breathed her in.
After a long moment, he reluctantly pulled back just enough to look at her. Gently cupping her face between his hands, he brushed his thumbs across her cheeks before lowering his head and kissing her once more.
***
It was a full house at Vincent's mansion.
The sprawling estate buzzed with life as members of his social circle mingled with acquaintances he barely recognized. Laughter echoed through the grand living room, blending with the soft music drifting from hidden speakers. Waitersmoved through the crowd carrying trays of drinks while guests clustered in small groups, chatting, laughing, and toasting to one another.
The massive coffee table in the center of the seating area was already cluttered with several bottles of expensive liquor and countless half-empty glasses, evidence that the party had been going on for hours.
Vincent sat sprawled on one of the leather couches with Griffin and Nolan beside him, a crystal glass of whiskey resting loosely in his hand. Although people frequently stopped by to greet him, he barely acknowledged them. Instead, throughout the evening, his gaze repeatedly drifted toward the phone lying face-up on the table in front of him.
Each time, the screen remained stubbornly dark.
No missed calls.
No messages.
Nothing.
