The Jealous Groom by Alexa Riley

Chapter 2

Magnus

“Stop fighting,” I growl as I carry Allison out of the back door to the waiting car. The driver has the door open and doesn’t say a word as I clearly kidnap her from the event against her will. “The airport,” I bark as I slam the door.

“No! We can’t leave, Amber is still in there,” she pleads, and her eyes widen as the driver speeds away.

“Not for long,” I say and straighten my suit. “Henrik has another car waiting.”

Her eyes widen in realization, and she slumps against her seat. “Why are you doing this?”

“I allowed you to attend your sister's wedding and even let you enjoy most of the reception. But my good graces are over, and I’m coming to claim what’s owed.”

“You can’t be serious.” A strand of dark hair falls out of her perfectly styled bun, and my fingers itch to tuck it behind her ears.

My face is dark as I lean in close, and she tries and fails to put distance between us. “I never joke about my possessions.”

“It was a stupid card game, Magnus. You can’t come to the other side of the world and kidnap me.”

“Who was that man you were dancing with?” My scowl is so intense it narrows my vision. “Why did you let him touch you? To make me jealous?”

She crosses her arms and looks out the window as she raises her chin defiantly. “I’m not answering any questions until I talk to my sister.”

“Then it will be a silent trip home.”

When she turns to face me, her eyes widen once more. “To Norway?”

“Ja.” I answer in Norwegian, and her mouth falls open.

My brother Henrik and I were on vacation in the Greek Islands after a year of nonstop work since we’d taken the throne. We lost our mother, the pillar of our royal family, the year before, and since then we’d taken over duties. Henrik and I decided to forgo tradition and share the responsibility even though I was the eldest and next in line. It was balked at by others in line, but we didn’t care. Our mother raised us to forge our own path, and so we did.

Once we found our new footing and delegated what was necessary, we were able to take a breath, along with a much-needed vacation. We agreed on quiet alone time with lots of sun…and no women. Even though it was a vacation, we didn’t want to lose focus, and women would only be a distraction.

After a day on our yacht, we decided to disembark and visit the casino. As soon as we walked in, it felt like the whole place was charged with electricity. Everything was expensive, from the velvet seats to the gold tables and the diamonds in the chandeliers. It was more opulent than most castles I’d lived in, but it was nothing compared to the beauty sitting at the bar.

Allison was in a tight black dress that was high on her thighs and cut low in the front. It was a dress that said look at me, and I fucking did. She was laughing with another woman at the bar. She wore a similar dress, but I didn’t really look at her because I was totally focused on Allison.

Her dark hair hung over one shoulder, and her red lips were the same shade as her shoes. I’d never seen anything so tempting in my entire life, and when my brother froze beside me for a split second I was angry. I thought he had his eyes on the woman I wanted, but to my surprise he was having the same reaction to the woman sitting next to her. To Amber.

We didn’t approach them right away, but instead went to the private room we’d reserved for gambling. We sent word to the bar that they were invited to join us and indulge in spending our money while we played together. It was agony waiting on them to enter, but as soon as she stepped a red heel through the door, she was mine.

“You cheated,” Allison hisses under her breath from beside me like she’s recalling the same thing.

“To have you?” I scowl like she’s being ridiculous. “Of course I would cheat. But that night the gods gave you to me, and that’s the end of it.”

She throws up her hands in frustration, and I shrug as the car gets closer to the airport.

We had drinks and food brought in, and then dancers and performers to entertain the women. It was a night of decadence, and I’d never smiled so much. I’d also never drunk so much. I was strict on how much I indulged because I didn’t want to lose my control, but when it came to Allison, I had none.

“I never agreed to marry you,” she huffs.

“You did, and you shall.” My words are final, but she won’t look at me.

The four of us were seated at the round poker table with Allison and Amber in the middle. They were laughing, and when I took her hand in mine, it was the first time in my life that I truly knew what I wanted my future to look like.

I told her that if the next card was the queen of hearts that she would have to be my bride. The way she raised an eyebrow in challenge made my body weak, but I knew I had to try. With a small nod and a curl of her lips, the bargain was made. I prayed to all the gods, and when the dealer turned the next card, it was done.

I must have had more to drink that night than I realized because when Allison excused herself to the restroom with her sister, I didn’t follow. That’s when they made a run for it, and she slipped through my fingers. Since then we’ve been traveling all over the world to hunt them down.

“Where I come from, this is called kidnapping.” She tries the door handle, but it’s locked, so I take hold of her wrist and place it in her lap. I don’t pull my hand away but leave its weight on top of hers and rub my thumb across her wrist.

“Where I come from, this is how you take a bride.” I let my eyes move up and down her body so that she doesn’t miss my desire. “You steal her.”

“Please, Magnus.”

My nostrils flare, and I lift her wrist to my mouth, where I place a kiss on the tender skin and inhale her scent. Sweet lilies invade my mind as I breathe her in and then gently brush my lips in the same spot. “I love how you say my name.” I open my eyes to meet hers, and I feel my wicked smile spread. “And how pretty you sound when you beg.”