“Is something the matter?” King asked.
“No. Not at all. I’m trying to imagine us living here together.” I looked into his blue, blue eyes.
He flashed his trademark smile. “For the record, you love it. Especially the master suite I had built for you on the top floor.” He opened his door and walked around to help me out. “Shall we?”
I suddenly felt nervous. I knew this man, but it felt like our first date. “Ready.”
He grabbed a snoozing Arch from the car seat, looking like an experienced father, totally comfortable handling him.
“You know, you look really hot with a baby in your arms.”
He smiled. “You always say that.”
“That’s because you do.” He looked hot without a baby in his arms, too.
We walked up to the front door, and King opened it up. “Just wait until I put on a blue skirt. That will blow your mind.”
I laughed. “How is this possible?”
“What?” He held the door for me, and I entered, taking a whiff of the air. It smelled like home—Arch’s baby powder, my perfume, even the vanilla air freshener candles I loved.
“You’re so happy. I’ve never seen you like this.”
He stepped in close, letting me catch the scent of his expensive cologne. Exactly the same he’d always worn. “I am not that other man, Mia. I keep my promises, and I always will.”
He leaned down and kissed me. My body stilled as I took in the warmth of his lips. They felt silky and sensual as ever. It felt like kissing the man I’d fallen in love with so many years ago when he’d been just a man, deeply devoted and strong, but just a man.
My king. I pulled back and stared up at him.
“Is everything all right?” he asked, his voice velvety and deep.
“I think you need to go put that baby down and show me the master suite.”
“Thought you’d never ask.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
KING
I could spend hours gazing into Mia’s sky blue eyes, telling her how long I’d waited for this moment, of the hell I’d endured. But why waste my energy on talking when I could be with her, showing her how I felt?
I set our son into his crib and take Mia by the hand, guiding her up to the top floor, our private oasis filled with every luxury a woman could want—fireplace, sauna, walk-in closet. I spared no expense for her, knowing that this room would be where we would spend our time relearning each other. Fucking. Talking. Resting. And for me…pretending.
I help her up the last flight, knowing her body still needs to heal. But I need her more. I need the real her. The one with scars and grit. The one who knows pain and suffering as much as she knows love.
My Mia.
For her, I will keep my promise. She will live in a safe world free from the insanity and violence of 10 Club.
I will never tell her the truth.
Because, you see, I did give up. I took off the ring. I ended my life thousands of years ago.
But something happened the moment I drew my final breath, the cold steel of the blade in my gut seared into my memories forever. I saw every second we’d lived now, then, and those moments that would never be when I had been cursed.
It is true what they say—your whole life flashes before your eyes when you die. But what no one tells you is that it truly is the whole. What could’ve been, what has been, what might be. I saw how I had tried a million different ways to be a good, good man and save the people I loved, only to end up destroying them and myself in the process. Mack, Mia, my people and children. Every move I made left everyone scathed.
There was only one move I hadn’t tried.
And in that moment, able to see the pieces, I knew how much I loved Mia and that there wasn’t anything in this world I wouldn’t do for her.
Including the unthinkable.
I show Mia her new palace, only vaguely aware of what I’m saying about the work I’ve done on the house. In my mind, we’re already in bed. I’m inside her, on top of her, kissing her sweet mouth and tasting her.
“This is just…” She draws a short breath, looking around the finely furnished room. “It’s incredible.”
“Enough sightseeing.” Standing at the foot of the bed, I pull her body close and kiss her. Softly at first, so as not to scare her. She has no clue what I am, who I am.
Her soft body melts against me, and I wrap my arms around her, careful to hold her close but not hurt her. I’ve acquired many gifts over the centuries and my powerful body is one of them.
Our mouths mingle and our tongues dance, but that’s not what I want. I quickly strip off her clothing—jeans and T-shirt—and watch while she removes her undergarments. Her creamy skin is paler than I remember, but I know in time she’ll grow strong again.
“You’re beautiful, Mia.”
She blushes, standing before me nude.
“You’re not so bad yourself.” She flashes one of those coy, knowing smiles that feels like a familiar song—one I love.
“I can’t believe you’re finally here.” I shed my pants and reveal my hard cock without hesitation.
She licks her lips and grins, just the way I knew she would.
“Shut up and fuck me,” she says.
I don’t need further encouragement, but I do know to be careful with her.
I quickly have her on the bed beneath me. I can’t hear or see straight as I plunge my cock into her, feeling like it’s the first time. Our bodies move and sweat and she groans softly in my ears as I push and withdraw my thick shaft.
A million thoughts run through me when she’s pushing her hips into mine, trying to get my dick deeper. You’re mine. I will never share you or leave you. I will always protect you.
The minutes fly by, and her body tenses. Her nails dig deep into my shoulders. The moment I hear her climaxing, the cum explodes from my cock. I think about how good she feels, how right she feels. I think about how I can’t wait to make love to her again as soon as she’s ready. Next time slower.
She sighs, and her arms fall limp to her sides. “That was incredible.”
I smile to myself. This was all worth it. As long as she never finds out the truth.
I pull out and get up from the bed, knowing I’ve neglected a dozen phone calls in the last hour.
“Hey. Where do you think you’re going?” Mia’s heavy lids are almost closed.
“I’m going downstairs to get vitamin water,” I say quietly, sliding on a pair of jeans, and glance at her stomach carrying our second child. “For the baby.”
“Sounds good.” Mia smiles, closes her eyes, and nestles into the bed.
“That’s my girl. Be right back.” I grab my cell, make my way down to the first floor into my study, and hit the send button. “It’s me.”
“For fuck’s sake, King. You think I’ve got all fucking day waiting for you to answer your phone?”
Goddamned Seers. Always so mouthy. “Shut the hell up, Hagne.”
“Or what?”
“Or I’ll come and show you what happens to disobedient bitches who work for me.”
She grumbles on the other end of the phone. I don’t like being so crude with her, but whatever gets the job done.
“Fine. Sorry,” she says. “So what’s the next job?”
“I’ll text you the address where he’s hiding.” The fucker has been on the run for weeks, but I am still the man who can find anything or anyone. For a price. And my price is Mia’s happiness.
“He’s dangerous, so be on your guard,” I add.
“Always am.”
Not really. However, that’s the benefit of owning a chalice and having resurrected Seers at your beck and call. I can always bring them back if they are killed, and I can use the many gifts I’ve acquired to make them loyal. “Text me the moment he’s dead.”
“Fine.” She hangs up, and I send her the location of a club member who’s been sneaking around, trying to find out who runs 10 Club.
I do.
&nb
sp; But now I run so much more than that.
You see, when I died, I understood how impossible it would be to have a world completely free of cruelty, evil, and darkness. There was a logic to 10 Club—creating an infrastructure to control and manipulate the bad things in this world, in lieu of allowing them to run rampant. But taming the monsters of this world would require a man with extraordinary power and gifts. Someone willing to accept the darkness in his soul.
Someone like me.
After all, how better to keep evil away from those I love than to understand it and become intimate friends with it? Or, in my case, to rule it.
So, it seems, I always was meant to be king. I simply had to accept my place in this world if I wanted to give Mia her happy ending. But there’s nothing a man won’t do for the woman he’s destined to love. Including being a little bit evil.
THE END
AUTHOR’S EVIL NOTE
Hi, All!
I hope you enjoyed the twisty road and dark surprises! It’s funny how when I envisioned this story about 10 Club, I always saw it leading back to the very beginning in order for King and Mia to truly be free and happy. In my mind, it had to be a sort of do-over where they got to rebuild their love from scratch and do it their way.
What I didn’t see happening in this story, and neither did you, was a lot of sex. Now, I know some people feel like ya just can’t have a romance novel without a ton o’ steamy scenes. Others don’t like the sex scenes at all; they just want a good story.
For me, however, I always feel like it can be raunchy and steamy or sweet and “fade to black” as long as it goes with the story. (Example: Pride and Prejudice v. Fifty Shades. Love them both.) That’s why from me you’ll see lots of steam in one book and not much in another. I treat each story like a unique creation that’s just got to be told how it’s got to be told, regardless of formulas or rules.
So I hoped you enjoyed! Personally, I hate to see the series end, but I love seeing everyone get their happy ending (I mean that both ways). Plus, I love that King stayed just a little bit evil. After all, that’s why we love him. (Bad boys are the best!)
Anyway, I’ve got some sexy EVIL KING bookmarks for you (while supplies last). As always, DO mention if you took the time to write a review! I’ll include an extra thank-you goody.
EMAIL: [email protected]
And for all you Romantic Comedy fans, keep an eye out for the next Happy Pants Series book, LEATHER PANTS!! Yes, it’s coming out MARCH 3 (2017) now. Yippy!
www.mimijean.net/leather-pants.html
Until then, happy reading, everyone!
Mimi
What songs kept my writer-tank fueled for this book? Here’s my EVIL PLAYLIST!
“Jar Of Hearts” by Christina Perri
“F*ck You” by Lily Allen
“Save Me” by Jem
“Your Woman” by White Town
“Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye
“I Always Knew” by Jem
“The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson
“Stopwatch Hearts” (feat. Emily Haines) by Delerium
“Dirty Laundry” by Bitter:Sweet
“The Fear” by Lily Allen
“Everything’s Okay” by Lenka
“Heathens” by twenty one pilots
“Pumpkin Soup” by Kate Nash
“Mercy” by Duffy
“I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers
“The World At Large” by Modest Mouse
“Possibility” by Lykke Li
“All These Things That I’ve Done” by The Killers
“Cecilia And The Satellite” by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
“Lottery” by Train
“Play That Song” by Train
“My Type” by Saint Motel
“Cold Cold Man” by Saint Motel
COMING March 3, 2017
Book #3, The Happy Pants Café Series
It Only Takes One Hot Rock Star To Ruin Your Life…
The youngest woman to ever sit on the bench, the Honorable Sarah Rae Alma has busted her butt to get where she is. No fun. No distractions. And definitely no bad boys. In fact, she takes a certain pleasure in crushing their souls—yes, she has her reasons.
So when rock-n-roll’s most famous bad boy, the legendary Colton Young, enters her court, looking hotter than sin and smugger than hell, she’s just itching to serve a little justice.
But Sarah’s about to make the biggest mistake of her life. And her fate will land squarely in the hands of the world’s most notorious rock star rebel.
Will he crush her? Or will he tempt her to take a walk on the wild side?
FOR EXCERPTS, BUY LINKS, AND MORE:
www.mimijean.net/leather-pants.html
EVIL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BIG EVIL HUGS!!! to the souls who put on their dark and wicked hats every time I write one of these non-snarky King books. Thank you Karen, Dali, Ally, and Naughty Nana for helping me get the plot rolling smoothly. Thank you, Latoya, Pauline, and Paul for taking time out of your lives to make my books sparkle (and get out on time). I am evilly grateful.
As always, a big thanks to my guys—angels every one of you! I know it suck sometimes to have a wife and mom who’s a crazy writer. Never a day off.
Evil Kingly Wishes,
Mimi
ABOUT THE EVIL AUTHOR
MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling romance author. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dream. Mimi lives with her Latin lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and the rat terrier duo, Snowflake and Mini Me, in Arizona. She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men.
Sign up for Mimi’s mailing list for giveaways and new release news!
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TEN CLUB (KING SERIES Book 5) Page 17