Seven kings bound to seven queens; this is our tradition. A second king for each queen, each wife, should the first husband die protecting her; this is our vow. We escaped the Bratva, but this tradition we share won’t die.
Until now. I will not share her.
NASH
You know the saying, “Better the devil you know than the one you don’t?”
Oh, Vale knows me. She just doesn’t know I’m the devil.
I’m her best friend’s father.
I’m the evil man who’s loved her all along. Just ask her violent ex-boyfriend. Oh wait … you can’t.
No. One. Hurts who I love.
No. One. Touches my queen.
VALE
Nash holds me hostage to protect me? How’s that working for him? I’ll snark at him until he wishes for death.
He is not my father.
No. We share a forbidden secret. One night, when I was eighteen.
But now we share a man hunting us. One of his brothers’ many enemies.
The only way I can survive? If Nash is my king.
The only way Nash is my king? If I accept one of his brothers, too.