Wanted by a King: A dark MC romance, page 1
Contents
Cover
Copyright
Also by
Also by
Follow
Follow
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-six
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Chapter Thirty-nine
Chapter forty
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Trigger warning
Wanted by a King Copyright © 2023 by B. Lybaek & Sarah JD.
Cover Designer: Cady @ Cruel Ink Design
Photographer: Emma Jane Photos
Model: Myles Wyatt Clohessy
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Any unauthorized distribution, circulation or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
All names, characters, events, and places found in this book are either from the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual events, locations, organizations, or persons, live or dead, is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author.
ASIN: B0C9QZCZ86
All rights reserved.
The Metamorphosis Duet
Emotionally dark MF friends-to-lovers
Just Leave #1
Just Stay #2
Dancing with Desire
Dark stripper & stalker reverse harem
Tempting Distractions #1
Untold Secrets #2
Beautiful Chances #3
Dancing with Desire Omnibus
The Drákon Legacy
Protégé #1
Heir #2
Leader #3
Ruler #4
The Cruz Kings MC
Tempted by a King #1
Wanted by a King #2
Claimed by a King #3
Scandalous Secrets
A taboo series of standalones with Sarah JD & T.L Hodel
Dante’s Storm
Heavy Hearts
Heavy #1
Deep #2
Buried #3
The Insatiable Series
Insatiable Kitten #1
Tainted Kitten #2
Vicious Kitten #3
Breaking the Silence
Silent Hush #1
Savage Scream #2
Scandalous Secrets
A taboo series of standalones with B. Lybaek & T.L Hodel
Lily’s Ash
The Cruz Kings MC
Tempted by a King #1
Wanted by a King #2
Claimed by a King #3
Standalone
Subbing for Santa
WEBSITE
WEBSITE
Bibi
Remember in the last acknowledgment where Sarah mentioned her terrible memory? Don’t worry, neither does she. While that might be her fatal flaw, mine is how often I change my mind. Seriously, it’s outrageous. Yet, Sarah puts up with it with very little complaining. Every time I have a new idea, she’s quick to embrace it, and run with it until we can turn it into something useful.
Sarah
While working with me, Bibi has had to learn how to Sarah proof things.
Like that memory of mine which is so bad (the struggle is real) means she’s had to resort to emails with dot point topics so I can refer back to things.
I’m lucky she’s so patient with me and my chaotic ways, otherwise these stories would never get done and she’d spend all of her time trying to spark my memory.
What’s that saying?
If I don’t remember it, then it never happened?
I wonder how long I can keep using that excuse?
Aimie & Jennifer—our amazing alpha readers.
You ladies lovingly tore our manuscript apart and helped us put it together to make it the best possible version.
Anoesjka, Dorothy, Melissa F, and Melissa M — our kick-ass beta ladies.
You guys are the absolute best.
Emma — For the amazing pictures that perfectly bring Grayson Black to life.
Cady — Thank you so much for putting up with our many, many, manyyyyy cover ideas/concepts. Your work is absolutely incredible, and we hope we haven’t scared you away.
“Courage is grace under pressure.”
—Ernest Hemingway.
Zoe
A scream born of terror and despair lodges itself in my throat. Even though my lips are parted, no sound comes out as tears well up in my eyes. Blood rushes to my ears, drowning out whatever sounds Grayson makes as his mouth opens.
Although the shot was barely more than a pop, the sound playing on repeat in my mind is louder than anything else. My eyes refuse to close. Instead, they stay on Grayson. Specifically, the bullet embedded in his shoulder, and the blood gushing from the wound.
I’m shaking as hard as a twig in a storm, and if I wasn’t already on my knees, I know I would fall, unable to stay on my legs.
Fuck!
How did we get here?
How did this happen?
Instead of pulling back, Grayson surges forward, snatching the gun from my trembling hands. After activating the safety, he tosses it to the side and reaches for me.
“No!” I scream, fruitlessly trying to dodge him by throwing myself to the side.
It’s useless, and it only takes him seconds to close his hand around my wrist, using the hold to pull me to my feet. Then he throws me over his uninjured shoulder.
Slamming the door behind him, he marches me over to the bed, tossing me down on the filthy mattress while blood runs from his wound.
If I feared him before, it’s nothing compared to now—now that he actually has a reason to hurt me.
“Please don’t kill me,” I whimper as he swings a leg over me and sits on my thighs. “P-please.”
My heart beats wildly in my chest, and for a brief moment, I wonder if it’s possible for it to shatter my ribcage and break free.
I already know that the people staying here at this dirty, low-rate motel are dodgy as fuck, so the chances of anyone coming to my aid are not just slim to none, they’re non-existent.
Grayson shakes his head. “What the fuck is the matter with you, Princess? Why do you think I’d kill you?”
“Y-you tried to strangle me,” I croak. At the words, my hand automatically moves to my throat, and I rub the sore skin. “I could see it in your eyes… y-you… you weren’t going to let go.”
Although he softens, I still try to recoil when he lifts his hand and gently cups my face.
“I would never hurt you on purpose, Zoe. You have to know that.” After scrutinizing me for what feels like hours, he adds, “What have I done to make you scared of me? Me, of all people. Don’t you know…” Trailing off, he swallows harshly.
Unable to help myself, I snort derisively. Is he serious right now? He fucking held a gun to my head and forced me to suck his cock.
More time passes and I get the sense he’s wrestling with a decision before he finally exhales heavily. Then he moves off me and gestures toward the door.
“You want to be free, Princess?” There’s no emotion in his voice. No anger, disappointment, or… anything.
I watch as he throws his arms out to the side.
“Run, Zo. If you’re fast enough, you might make it out of the door. Hell, maybe even out of this neighborhood. But just know, you’ll never be free of me. I’ll always be waiting in the shadows. You can’t outrun me. You can’t hide from me.”
Zo? Well that’s new. I don’t think I’ve heard him call me that before.
I gulp, overwhelmed with the magnitude of his words.
When I don’t take the opportunity to test the truth of what he’s saying, he takes my hand and hauls me to my feet. As soon as I’m standing, he pushes me against the wall, placing a hand on either side of my face so I’m caged in.
“I’ll always be there, ready to kill any motherfucker who dares to touch you. And if you invite another’s hands on you, I’ll sever every single finger and make a necklace for you.”
My eyes widen and my lips part in shock. “W-what?” I squeak. “That’s too fucking dramatic, even for you.”
He chuckles darkly. “You think I’m joking, Princess? I’ve never been more serious in my life.”
My gaze flicks between him and the door. I know trusting him would be beyond stupid. But there’s something in his voice I can’t ignore, something that makes me think he’s being real with me for the first time.
It’s too late, though. The shit he’s done to me is the stuff nightmares are made of. He took advantage of me while I was drunk, and left me naked and alone in the garden. He’s taken stuff from me he isn’t even aware of, and a part of me wants to tell him just to see his reaction. Because that’ll tell me how sincere he’s being.
Lifting my chin, I meet his dark gaze. “You were the first guy I ever sucked off,” I inform him. “The first time, you coerced me while I was drunk. The last time you forced me by gunpoint.”
My ego purrs like a fucking kitten when his brows shoot up to his forehead, and he opens and closes his mouth before swallowing harshly. My eyes trail his Adam’s apple as it bobs in his throat.
“What?” he asks, sounding aghast. A myriad of expressions cross his face as he takes two steps back and his arms fall to his sides. “But you’ve had sex before?” He growls the last part, as though he isn’t happy about that.
Well, tough shit. Right now, I couldn’t be happier that I lost my virginity at one of Cassie’s parties. I think I’d die if I’d given it to Grayson, or if… I swallow… if he’d taken it from me.
“So?” I sniff. “Just because I let someone stick their dick in me doesn’t mean I wanted to lower myself to do that.”
Silence stretches around us like a blanket, but with the crushing weight of a mountain. I keep watching Grayson, and there’s no denying I love the way his face morphs into a mask of horror. I fucking hope he’s realizing how deep the shit he’s done to me runs.
When he takes a step toward me and reaches his hand out, I jump to the side and out of his reach.
“Don’t touch me,” I hiss while baring my teeth.
As his arm falls limply to his side, a look of pain flashes across his face. I bite down on my bottom lip, once again looking between him and the door. If he meant what he said, I’m only mere steps from my freedom.
I could go to the bank, withdraw everything in my account, and give it to him. It would be easy to return home, pack a bag and leave. With the monthly allowance from the lawyer’s office, I could easily live on that until I go to Harvard.
“Will you be okay?” I ask as my eyes land on the bullet wound that’s still bleeding.
“If you leave, I won’t be okay,” he simply says.
For some reason, my anger returns and I push against his chest, ignoring the blood seeping from his shoulder.
“You don’t get to say things like that, Grayson. For months, you’ve treated me like shit. Like I’m beneath you. You’ve dictated my life, punished me, refused to give me answers, and belittled me. You’ve treated me as nothing more than a disposable pussy for your enjoyment.”
Ignoring the flare of pain from my raw throat, I pant. My anger is so palpable I can taste it on my tongue. Iron, that’s the taste assaulting me.
“Those are just the things that come to mind. In reality, there’s so much more I haven’t even begun to unravel. So what the fuck makes you think you can say shit like that now?”
By the end of my very long tirade, I’m breathless.
He sighs. “You’re right. I’ve done all that and so much more. I deserve your anger.”
“Damn right you do,” I mutter, feeling self-righteous.
I shot him.
I fucking shot him point blank.
Try as I might, I can’t fathom how he can stand straight. Let alone how he’s able to talk to me without writhing in pain. I’ve never been shot, so it’s not like I know what the pain is like. But there has to be some, right?
That I didn’t mean to shoot him is a sorrowful excuse, as well as a lie. My stomach churns as I admit to myself that I wanted to hurt him. Not necessarily shoot him, but… fuck, I don’t know. My thoughts are a rambling mess that I don’t care to sort through. The facts remain the same no matter how I look at it.
I shot him.
Grayson
Zoe Miller fucking shot me!
She has me by the balls. That’s the only way I can describe the fact that she is still fucking breathing right now. No one shoots a Cruz King and lives to tell the tale. Not for long, anyway. Yet here she is, her blonde hair wild from our struggles, her blue eyes wide with fear, and those cheeks of hers tinted with the red of her anger.
Fuck!
To say I lost my mind after Zoe disappeared is an understatement. It took me a whole fucking week to finally find her. I’d been worried that the Reapers managed to get to her first, but luckily for her, I found her before they did.
And what a fucking explosive reunion it was. My shoulder took the brunt of Zoe’s wrath, and I welcome the pain throbbing from the wound as I take in her fearful gaze. She thinks I’m the enemy, and in a way, I fucking am, but I’m the better of two evils, and eventually, she will understand that.
Her harsh words managed to penetrate my stone-cold heart, an unfamiliar feeling throwing me off a little.
I fucking hate knowing that she has spread her thighs for others before me, but fuck, knowing I’m the only one she’s taken into her hot little mouth has me ready to beat my chest like a fucking caveman.
The fact that I coerced her while she was drunk doesn’t bother me. If she didn’t want to suck my cock, she wouldn’t have. But forcing her at gunpoint has really done a fucking number on me, and I’m sick of feeling the unfamiliar feeling of self-loathing. I’m not that fucking person.
Well… I never used to be.
Now?
Fuck. I don’t know. The only time I’ve hated myself this much was the day I let my dad die, and I’ve learned over the years that what happened back when I was a teenager wasn’t my fault.
The incident at Dirty Diamonds when I forced Zoe to her knees and choked her on my cock in front of an audience is a different story. That was one hundred percent on me, and I know I need to make things right, but how?
How the fuck do I ever make up for that?
With my hand pressed to the bullet wound in my shoulder, I consider what I said to her.
“I would never hurt you on purpose, Zoe. You have to know that.”
I meant it. I know she doesn’t believe it after what I did to her at Dirty Diamonds, but I don’t know how to explain to her that the man on that stage holding that gun to her head wasn’t fucking me.
Well, I mean it was, but I had no control over that version of myself, and while I know I should let her run, I already know too fucking well that I’m not strong enough to let her go.
Not fucking ever.
Jesus fucking Christ. How did I get here?
The version of me at Zoe’s age wouldn’t have shoved her to her knees and made her accept my cock into her mouth when she came home drunk.
No.
Eighteen-year-old Grayson Black would have helped her get the damn shoe from the mud and carried her into her house to clean up. I probably would have even put her to fucking bed without so much as copping a feel.
I’m only twenty-fucking-six for fuck’s sake. How have I changed so much?
I already know the answer. It’s this life. The MC. The darkness that follows you when you live life as a career criminal. You do shit you never imagined you would do, and eventually, you forget that once, there was a version of yourself that was fucking good. Decent.
“Grab your stuff and get your ass on my fucking bike,” I hiss as I inspect my shoulder. It’s throbbing like a bitch, and I can feel the sleeve of my black t-shirt clinging to the blood soaking through.
Zoe rears back at my words, a look of confusion furrowing her brow. “But you said I can leave.” She shakes her head. “Yeah, you said if I leave you would track me down, but now you aren’t even giving me the chance to run?”
