Page 137 of Savage Throne
Leo’s voice cut through the hum of the blades. “Do you know what it means to wear this ring, Monique? Truly?”
“Please, enlighten me.”
“It means you’re not just a player in this world. You’re the one who will rule it.”
The weight of his words hung heavy between us.
Rule it.
The thought should have sent a thrill through me—should have sparked something dark and powerful in my veins.
But instead, it made me tremble.
Because the truth was, Leo never gave anything without expecting something in return.
I looked down at the box, at the glittering sapphire that felt more like a noose than a crown and I realized what he was really saying.
He wasn’t giving me power.
He was handing me a responsibility that would tie me tohimforever.
Or was I just bugging?
I’m not your wife, Leo. I’m not your legacy. . .so what are you doing?
But I didn’t say it out loud.
Not yet.
Because this was stillhisgame, and I needed to play it carefully.
The helicopters roared overhead, rattling the tent walls, and I let the sound wash over me like a lifeline.
Lei was out there, somewhere close, and soon—soon—I’d be back with him.
I just had to survive this moment first.
Leo watched me with a predator’s patience and took that beautiful jewelry out of the box. “Take the ring, Monique.”
I did what I had to do.
I lifted my hand, keeping my face as blank as stone and let him slip the ring onto my finger. The cold metal slid against my skin, smooth and heavy, and I shivered as it settled into place.
“Yes. So perfect, my little monster.”
I flinched.
“I thought about this last night, I imagined it.”
I studied him.
Leo’s gaze lingered on my hand. “It suits you.”
Without breaking his stare, he gently lifted my hand and then slowly, almost reverently, he bowed his head and pressed his lips to the finger adorned with the ring, kissing it.
What the fuck!
It was such an unexpected gesture that for a moment I could only blink at him in surprise.
