King of Pain by Piper Stone
CHAPTER1
“Family is supposed to be our safe haven. Very often, it’s the place where we find the deepest heartache.”
—Iyanla Vanzant
Carina
Betrayal had a bitter taste, a caustic bile slithering through my system. The acid burned as it slid through my veins, infecting my blood with its heavy treachery. My legs felt heavy as I moved toward the vestibule, my father waiting with an extended arm. He smiled as if this day meant something other than what it was. He’d told me I was his shining star, proud of me in everything I did.
Then he’d sold me off like a cow waiting for slaughter. I was disgusted by the sight of him, his fake smile adorning his look of contentment, an effect of the contract signing away my life. In my mind, he deserved to be gutted like the pig he was. All respect for him and his empire had been lost, my innocence traded for millions of dollars and the welcome thought of inheriting additional power from the unholy union.
My father had been stupid enough to believe that I wouldn’t make good on the threat I’d made, the dutiful daughter being led around by a strong sense of family. But I wasn’t interested in remaining in a noose that would only get tighter.
I would honor the promise I made.
To myself.
Destroying both families.
And I’d enjoy every moment of doing so.
I’d put my armor on, showing him how strong I was, but the bastard had broken through my defenses, using the single thing against me he knew I wouldn’t be able to tolerate: tossing my younger sister to the wolves. Still, he had no idea my level of strength or the lengths I was willing to go to in order to regain my freedom.
And to rid the earth of vermin.
And in my mind, I was unstoppable.
If only I could be wearing red, my favorite color. That was more fitting for an act of vengeance, the hue exactly as I imagined Diego Santos’ blood would be the moment the blade tore through his neck.
Despite anger simmering in my veins, I slipped my arm around my father’s, providing a practiced gaze of admiration. Yet the anger remained a raging inferno ready to explode. As he pulled me to the entrance of the church, I took a deep breath, rubbing my fingers across the knife I’d purchased only days before. My father had underestimated me, which would ultimately lead to his death. I’d start with my intended husband first, a man I loathed with every fraction of my being. Then I’d go after Diego’s father before ending my killing spree by cutting my father’s heart out and shoving it down his throat.
Only then would I feel vindicated from the atrocity that my life had become.
“Are you ready?” he asked as he patted my hand, unaware of my plans.
“Absolutely. Let’s get this party started.”
As the traditional music began playing, I scanned the crowd of three hundred people; celebrities and musicians, politicians and heads of state who wouldn’t miss the wedding of the year for anything. Little did they know they’d be witnessing a bloodbath.
And I couldn’t be more excited to see their horrified reactions.
My beautiful baby sister stood at the altar, her face beaming from happiness. She had no idea I’d saved her life in more ways than one. She would be leaving town soon, her dream of living and playing music in Paris coming true. I hadn’t regretted my decision. I would do anything in my power to protect her against the evil running through our family.
My pulse was racing, my heart thudding rapidly as I took my first steps toward the monster waiting feet away from the priest. While I knew my soul would be damned for all eternity for what I was about to do, I’d lost any ability to care. No longer was I the special princess. I’d become a woman expected to accept a crown of blood and thorns.
Perhaps my father had also considered me weak, choosing me to marry the son of a cartel kingpin. However, he had no idea just strong I’d become. The crowd rose to their feet, most looking at me admiringly as I walked down the soft red carpet, white rose petals already adorning the path. At least Diego’s blood wouldn’t stain the precious tile hand selected from Italy.
As we approached, my intended remained where he was, facing the thick pane of stained glass, the image of Christ a symbol of good, in contradiction to the blasphemous ceremony about to occur. He didn’t flinch nor did he bother watching my approach, his air of arrogance creating another wild thrumming of my pulse. When we passed my mother and sister, I turned my head, noticing my mother was crying. She’d been under my father’s thumb for so long she hadn’t said a word to me about the atrocity or asked what she could do to help. She’d been a willing participant, but she would remain alive because I knew she had no other choice.
My father would have beaten her for disagreeing with him.
At least the beatings I’d received as a child had allowed me to become resilient, hardening the shell and in a town like Los Angeles, that had become a benefit. What my father also didn’t know is that his anger had given me the courage to become cunning in everything I did.
He handed me off, squeezing my arm and lowering his head to kiss my cheek through the veil. As my stomach recoiled, I flicked open the knife, exposing the blade.
After the guests had returned to their seats, the priest began his sermon. I wasn’t a woman who had patience, but I’d learned to do so over the years. It was just a matter of minutes now before I’d begin my revenge.
As I inhaled, I was surprised he wore a different scent than I was used to, the richness of timber, citrus, and exotic spices assaulting my senses. Then as we turned toward each other, I allowed Diego the gesture of lifting my veil as I controlled my rapidly beating heart. I wanted the monster to look me in the eyes and know that I was sending him off to the fires of hell.
I took a deep breath, prepared to slice his jugular when I lifted my gaze, his eyes piercing mine.
And in those few seconds there was no one else inside the church, no sound other than that of my beating heart. When his nostrils flared and he parted his ruby lips, I returned the knife back to its original position. A jolt of powerful electricity tore through me, causing my legs to tremble. I’d never felt this way around the brutal man before. Not once. But as I stood here in the hallowed location, my core began to heat, the inferno of rage turning into a wave of desire unlike anything I’d ever felt.
I took shallow breaths, blinking several times to try to regain control of my resolve, but something was very wrong.
The man standing in front me was gorgeous, tall, and muscular with a stunning carved physique. Thick dark hair framed his chiseled face, his jaw clenched as if irritated by the proceedings. He exuded power in his presence, his eyes commanding, peering down at me like a wolf whose hunger knew no bounds. But as I stared into them, the same ones I’d gazed at on several occasions, I concentrated on the flecks of violet surrounding his steel gray eyes. And I knew without a shadow of a doubt I couldn’t carry out my act of retaliation.
Because the man standing in front of me was an imposter.
But that was only the beginning of the nightmare.
