Divorced And Crowned By The Dangerous Kings

Evelyn Rowe.

"Can I?" Victor asked me with pleading eyes, from his position on the bed. He was kneeling right between my slick thighs which were being held in his hands.

"Evey..." he moaned out when my legs trembled in his hold.

I nodded vigorously to answer the question he had asked, and his head immediately dipped as he licked the juices from my pussy.

I reacted spontaneously, thrashing around as my hand went to his head. I wasn't sure if I wanted to pull him off or keep him there, because as much as I was enjoying it, I was also really sensitive.

"Victor..." I managed to say, panting heavily, "I need you inside me now."

His reaction, however, wasn't what I expected. Because his face suddenly turned cruel as he laughed out loud.

My heart started to beat really fast, and that was when I woke up to find Victor standing at the foot of my bed, laughing mockingly at me.

Oh my gosh, how long had he been standing there?

I was soaked in sweat and I tried to get up from the bed, but a sharp stabbing pain in my belly stopped me, reminding me that I had a miscarriage that morning.

"Were you just having a sex dream about me?" Victor asked once he stopped laughing. If I thought the laughter had hurt me before, the disgust in his voice right now was like a knife plunged in my heart.

I swallowed my tears because if there was one thing that Victor hated, it was seeing my tears. According to him, they made him feel like he was treating me badly.

'As if he's not,' I scoffed internally.

"Did you hear me, wench?" He yelled at me, making me jerk out of my thoughts.

"I.. I'm sorry. It was just a bad dream," I replied, hoping he would drop it.

My body couldn't take another beating. I was still dealing with the pain of this morning's beating that led to the loss of my baby.

"Hurry and dress up. Make sure you use something to cover all that..." he motioned to my bruised eyes.

I swallowed.

Yet another banquet where I'll be forced to be the happy wife of Victor Blackthorn while he fraternizes with his countless mistresses. What a nightmare.

He walked off without another word, and I was actually relieved. I managed to get myself out of the bed and went to take a shower.

My whole body was sore and really painful, but I pushed through it.

When I was done, I sat with my makeup collection, trying to find a way to cover the bruise on my eye. It would really be weird if I wore sunglasses to the banquet.

However, while I was trying to fit into my dress in a way that wouldn't irritate the bruises on my stomach, my door suddenly burst wide open and a very angry Victor entered.

"What are you still doing in here? How long does it take for you to fucking get ready?" He yelled.

"Sorry," I whimpered, hurriedly getting the dress on. I was shocked he was actually waiting for me.

Normally, he leaves earlier so he can have the time to fuck one of his mistresses before the party, and I take another car to the event. After all, I'm only there for appearances.

The only time we had gone to a banquet together was after we got married, and he spent the night showing me off. I considered myself lucky then, only to discover that everything was a facade.

So why was he waiting for me today?

Grabbing my purse, I hurried after him with hope springing in my chest. Maybe things were getting better, after all.

But I had forgotten that hope is a dangerous thing that kills.

***

The Blackthorn Annual Banquet was going great. For the first time in months, I was the lady in Victor Blackthorn's arms and he treated me with such respect that I had begun to forget the atrocities he had committed.

It was finally time for his speech as the CEO and as soon as his name was called, he turned to me and whispered softly, "Join me on stage?"

I was taken aback by the softness in his voice, but I didn't think too much into it. Maybe he felt bad about the loss of our baby and wanted to make it up to me.

I beamed and took his hand as I climbed onto the stage with him.

"I want to start by thanking you all for being here to celebrate our annual banquet," Victor started.

I stood awkwardly by the side, not knowing what to do with my hands so I put them behind me as I listened to him speak.

I was already beginning to imagine how good things were finally going to be between Victor and me, so I barely registered his words until he said my name.

"Most of you know my wife, Evelyn Blackthorn..." he paused and motioned to me with his hands. Not knowing what else to do, I smiled and waved my hands.

"Honestly speaking, she has been a great source of misery in my life lately," he continued and my smile dropped, alongside my hands.

What? I thought. This can't be happening to me.

"We announced her pregnancy to the media a while ago, which is why I find it appropriate to inform you all that she's no longer pregnant."

I swallowed hard, wishing this nightmare would end. This was a new level of low.

"She miscarried this morning, and I'm pissed. This might sound outrageous but she's of no use to me if she can't even give birth to an heir. She just sits at home all day doing nothing, except spending my money," he stated.

The audience laughed and some even shouted "gold digger."

I turned to leave the stage but Victor's bodyguard held me in place. That's when it dawned on me that this was pre-planned.

My belly suddenly felt like it was tearing to pieces, and tears streamed down my face in public for the first time in my life; as I looked at my devilish husband who continued his speech nonchalantly.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not divorcing her. She might still be useful..." a few scattered laughs followed that statement. "I mean, some people might want my leftovers. After all, she's not that bad looking, ri-?"

"That's enough," a deep voice came from behind as the door slammed open, and that was the last thing I heard before blackness took over.

Dominic Russo.

"Call Doctor Matt," I barked at my consigliere, Marco, as I carried the fragile brunette in my arms and rushed toward the waiting car.

Blood stained the bottom part of her dress, and the sight of it sent a sharp twist through my chest.

I had seen a lot of scumbags in my lifetime, but Victor Blackthorn took the fucking cake.

I had watched him humiliate her on that stage like she was nothing more than a disposable object. And then she had collapsed right in front of him, and he hadn't even flinched.

"Where are you taking her to?" Marco asked as he slid into the back seat with me, his phone already pressed to his ear.

"To my house," I said without hesitation.

Luca was already behind the wheel, and he drove off immediately.

I turned my attention back to the woman in my arms. Her breathing was shallow, but at least she was still breathing.

I adjusted my hold on her, so that her head rested against my shoulder.

"Doctor Matt is on his way," Marco said after ending the call. "He'll be waiting."

Good. I was so occupied with my thoughts that I didn't even hear his conversation with the doctor.

I didn't know what caused her to bleed. I could only hope it was menstruation and not internal bleeding.

But does menstruation cause this much blood?

Doctor Matt and two nurses were already waiting as we piled into my estate minutes later.

"Bring her here," Matt ordered the second he saw the blood.

I followed him inside, my boots pounding against the marble floor as I carried her toward one of the guest rooms.

"Lay her on the bed," he instructed sharply.

I did, stepping back only when one of the nurses gently nudged me aside. They quickly started checking her vitals.

"Give us some space," Matt said suddenly, when he realized I was still in the room. "I'll call you when she's stable."

I clenched my jaw and stepped back, just as the door shut in my face. Dragging my hand down my face, I turned and went into the living room.

I didn't know why I was worried about her this much.

I dropped onto the couch, resting my elbows on my knees as I stared at the floor.

I didn't even know her name. I didn't know anything about her. And yet, the image of her collapsing on that stage wouldn't leave my mind.

"You know I could have stayed back to scout for you," Marco said as he handed me a glass of whiskey.

I took it but didn't drink.

"There was no need," I replied. "We already saw that our target wasn't there."

He scoffed. "But he sent a representative. We could have waited to see what he was planning."

"No," I said, sharper this time. "Postpone the meeting with Jon Denver and oversee the club activities tonight."

Marco frowned. "You're not coming?"

"No."

I slammed my glass on the table and the liquid spilled a little.

Refusing to acknowledge my temper, I stood and headed upstairs, peeling off my jacket as I went.

I took a quick shower to wash off the blood and as soon as I got out, I collapsed face-first onto the bed.

Still, my mind went back to her. The disbelief on her face when Blackthorn started talking. The way her eyes finally turned hollow, like she was used to it. And then, the tears.

I hadn't even been invited to that damn banquet. It wasn't my scene. But on my way to Deranged Desires, my club, I saw the lights and heard the celebrations.

When Marco told me it was the Blackthorn Annual Banquet, I had felt the familiar urge to crash it and see if Liam Kingsley would be there. The bastard was my archenemy for a reason.

But he wasn't there, deciding to send a representative instead. I was already leaving, but then I heard Blackthorn's derogatory speech and knew I needed to do something.

Even now, I suspected that he had something to do with his wife bleeding out. But I guess I would have to wait for the doctor to come back with news.

Several minutes later, when I was almost dozing off, a knock sounded at my door.

"She's stable now, Don," the doctor informed me. I was on my feet instantly, making my way outside.

"What's wrong with her?" I asked as we walked.

He sighed, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "It's really bad."

My hands curled into fists at my sides.

"She had an incomplete miscarriage," he continued. "And her blood sugar is dangerously low. She's lost a lot of blood and even though I've slowed the bleeding for now, she needs to go to a hospital."

The words hit hard. Miscarriage?

I exhaled slowly. "Can I see her? Is she awake?"

"Not yet," he said. "But you can go in."

I turned toward the guest room.

"Don," he called, stopping me in my tracks.

"Based on the injuries on her body," he said carefully, "I don't believe this was natural."

I turned back to him slowly. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying she was physically assaulted."

Something inside me snapped. The image of Blackthorn's smile, his cruel jokes, and his smug little laugh flashed through my mind.

My first thought was simple and terrifying. "I'm going to kill Victor Blackthorn."

But first, I had to get his wife to a hospital.

***

As we drove to the hospital, she lay across the back seat, hooked up to an IV with one of the nurses monitoring her. I sat with her and watched her face the entire time.

She was pale with long dark lashes against her cheeks. There was a faint bruise around her eyes that I hadn't noticed before, which fueled my anger.

At the hospital, they rushed her in immediately, nurses and doctors surrounding the gurney.

"Family?" one of them asked.

I didn't hesitate. "Yes."

They disappeared through the doors and left me alone in the hallway.

I paced back and forth, my body too tense to sit. That was when my phone rang, and I answered as soon as I saw it was Marco.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"The club is on fire," he replied after a short pause.

I scoffed, "I'm currently in the hospital, Marco. And honestly, I don't have time for jokes."

"Don, this isn't a joke. Deranged Desires is on fire."

The words didn't register at first. And when they did, I let out a bitter laugh.

"I'm on my way. And when I get there, you better have the bastards responsible lined up for me."

The call ended.

I stared at my phone for a second before throwing it against the wall. It shattered on impact, but that wasn't enough.

I dragged a hand through my hair, chest rising and falling, trying my best not to yell in anger.

I had two suspects already. And if either of them were behind this, I would make sure they begged like dogs before they died.

Evelyn.

I groaned as I opened my eyes to the soft morning light streaming through the windows. This wasn't my room, I noticed.

My eyes tracked from the white ceiling to the drip fixed on my wrist.

What happened? Did Victor finally bring me to the hospital? And why can't I remember anything?

Just then, a nurse came in.

"Hi, you're awake," she beamed. "I hope you're feeling better."

"Where's my husband?" I asked her.

"It wasn't your husband that brought you here, Mrs Blackthorn." I wasn't surprised she knew my name. Victor made sure to keep the social media well informed of his private life.

After adjusting my drip, the nurse handed me a cup of water with a straw and asked, "Do you need anything else?"

I shook my head as I drained the water in the cup. There was a TV hung on the wall opposite the bed and my eyes were glued to it, because they were showing the events of last night's banquet.

"On second thought, can you please increase the volume for me?"

She nodded and did so, walking out soon after.

"...fainted on stage and was rescued by a mysterious stranger. Rumors have been circulating that he is a member of the mafia, but due to the fact that his face wasn't captured, we aren't able to prove anything yet."

My heart thumped as I watched the news. The way I slumped on the stage was unflattering and Victor would be sure to point that out when he comes.

But that was the least of my worries now. I needed to leave before the mysterious stranger came back, or worse, my husband.

"Public opinions, however, are divided at this point. Some people are in support of the Blackthorn bride, insisting that Mr. Blackthorn has taken it too far..."

My heart swelled, knowing that not everyone took his side like they always do. After all, he was a huge celebrity to the people and also on the Forbes list.

"...but the majority support Mr. Blackthorn, more so because of the statement he released this morning saying the mysterious stranger was actually Mrs. Blackthorn's lover, and the reason for her miscarriage."

For the first time in a very long time, anger fueled inside me against Victor. Grabbing the remote on the bed stand, I turned the TV off and got to work on removing the drip connected to my wrist.

If I stay here any longer, I risk someone seeing me and calling Victor. Or worse, someone calling the paparazzi.

I couldn't wait for the doctor to come in either, because I wasn't sure they'd discharge me without alerting anyone.

When I was done removing everything, I made my way to the door slowly. I was in pain, but I had already endured worse while living with Victor.

However, my plan was thwarted when I got to the door. I broke into a run for the elevator, only to collide with a hard body.

I groaned as pain wracked through my entire body, but thankfully, I was still on my feet and I realized that the person I ran into was holding me up.

"I'm sorry," I apologized as I looked up to see Liam Kingsley, the king of the corporate world; at least, according to the media.

Quickly, I scurried out of his embrace. He was Victor's rival, being number one on the Forbes list, and I didn't need anyone to remind me that rich men were cruel.

I was a living proof of that, but dang, he's handsome. His blond hair was gelled back, and his green eyes pierced into my honey ones.

"Do I know you?" He asked, effectively snapping me out of my thoughts. "You look familiar."

Shaking my head vigorously, I replied, "No, I'm sure you don't."

Without wasting time, I tried to bypass him but he held me back. Goosebumps erupted from my body due to the contact and I gasped.

I'm sure he felt it too because his lips slightly parted, and I couldn't help but notice them.

Snap out of it, Evelyn.

"It was nice to meet you, but I've really got to go."

But instead of releasing me from his grip, he just tilted his head like he was studying me. The ding of the elevator sounded behind him, just as a man stepped out.

He looked at me, and my heart hammered in my throat as I took in his hoodie.

"Get away from her," he barked as he pulled me away from Liam's grip.

In confusion, I turned to him and asked, "Do I know you?"

Liam let out a short laugh and remarked, "The irony. Guess I'll be seeing you around, little angel."

My eyes widened. Little angel?

"Let's go," the man holding me said.

But I pushed him away. "I'm not going anywhere with you. For all I know, Victor sent you to kill me."

That made him chuckle.

"Well, unless you want the doctors to discover that you're missing and call your husband, I'll advise you to follow me."

How did he know that I was running from the doctors?

As if reading my mind, he answered, "If you were properly discharged, they would call the person who brought you in, no?"

"You're the one that brought me in? You're the mysterious stranger?" I asked, surprised and extremely grateful.

"No, I'm not. But I'm taking you to see him now." He replied and pulled me over to the elevator just as the doctor entered my room.

***

We pulled into an estate, bigger than the Blackthorn Estate. And that's saying a lot, because the Blackthorns loved to showcase their wealth.

This one, however, looked old but still elegant. Getting in, I was nervous to meet the Good Samaritan who came to my aid yesterday.

"Don, she's here," the man who brought me here said.

"Thank you, Marco. You may leave."

I followed the voice I clearly remembered from last night, to see a man in a hoodie coming towards me. My first instinct was to run, because I had always associated hoodies with assassins.

But instead, I stood my ground and said, "Thank you so much for saving me yesterday."

"It's nice to have your acquaintance, Evelyn. I'm Dominic," he replied, pulling off his hood.

And for the second time today, I came face to face with a hot man that could make any woman wet her panties, and I was no exception.

Apart from the fact that my savior had dark hair and even darker eyes, he also had piercings and tattoos. I gulped as he moved closer, but I couldn't move as fear kept me frozen.