To Become King (Book One)

Fifteen: Sucker for Pain

Knight's P.O.V~
I woke up when I heard faint crying. I looked to the right of me and noticed that Grace wasn't lying there. I shot up and looked over the side of the bed to find her on the floor, naked from earlier that night. I immediately got out of bed and stormed over to her. I grasped her arm and yanked her up from the floor. She was panicking. I didn't have to ask. I knew it was her nightmares. I wrapped my arms around her bare body. I brought her back into bed and counted to ten to get her to calm down. Eventually, she came back to reality and clinged to me.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry . . ." She cried over and over again. I shushed her and caressed her back as I laid back down in bed.  I brought the sheets back over us and ensured her that it was fine.  It took a few minutes, but we both fell back asleep.

***
"Kitten!"  I called out from downstairs.  "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, I'll be right down!"  She responded.

"Where are you going?"  Josh asked.

"Downtown for a little bit.  I told her its for lunch, but I wanted to pick out her ring."  My best friend smirked at me and patted me on the back just before she came down in a floral black dress with a jean jacket over her shoulders.  She had her contacts in and her hair down, just how I liked it. Beautiful as always.  She had a big smile on her face and practically ran down the stairs so fast that she tripped over the last one and I caught her before she fell, making her blush.  "Fuck, Kitten."  I sighed.  "I know you're excited, but calm down."

"Sorry," she mumbled, making me get suddenly turned on by her innocence.  I pushed it aside and gently wrapped my arm around her, pushing on her lower back to usher her forward.  We said goodbye to Josh and I opened the front door for her to go to the car.

***
"Thank you."  She told me sincerely as we walked down the streets of local shops.  I gave her a single nod before we walked in front of the jewelry store I wanted to take her to.  I stopped and when she realized I stopped, she stopped with me.  "What is it?"  She asked.

"I wanted to take you here."  I replied, putting an arm around her and leading her inside.

"A-A Jewelry store?  Why?"  She questioned.  I brought her to the counter and told the man to bring out the best wedding rings.  She gently gripped both of my biceps and turned me towards her, looking up at me in concern.  "Knight, what are you doing?"

"You never got to pick anything for the wedding because it was already planned.  So, I want you to pick out your wedding ring.  Any ring you want."  I told her as the man came out with a set of them and put them in front of us on the counter.

"That's actually sweet, but no.  These rings are expensive and I'm not materialistic, Knight.  You don't have to buy me anything."  She insisted, fiddling with the ring I gave her on her right hand.  "Besides, won't this ring have a tracking device in it too?"

"No.  When I put it on your finger at the alter, there's no reason to track you anymore because you'll officially be mine.  I'll take that ring off at the alter."  I told her, referring to the one on her finger.

"I still won't pick out a ring.  They're expensive."  She sighed, crossing her arms.

"Fine, then I will."  I looked down at the set of rings before me, but they all looked too . . . mainstream.  I looked at the man behind the counter who looked at me with a small smile.  "Do you have anything one of a kind?  It's alright if it's a bit more expensive."  His face lit up, like it was the luckiest day of his life.

"You're eccentric, Sir.  I think I have just the ring."  He took the current set and went to the back.  A few moments later he returned with one ring safely in a box. It was beautiful.  He took the ring out of the box and I saw Grace stare at it in awe.  The band was black with a large amethyst stone in the middle.  There were two diamonds on each side of the band and one on each side of the stone.  It was one of the most unique rings I'd ever seen and it was slightly similar to the one I gave her, but it looked more expensive and the diamonds on the side would be new.  The design of the band was just as unique.  It was woven and carved in a way that made it look as if it were fit for a queen.  "This ring has an amethyst stone in the middle and it was custom made, but the original buyer ended up canceling the order.  Therefore, its truly one of a kind, Sir."  The man explained.  "Would you like to try it on?"

"Absolutely."  I answered before she could object.  He smiled and handed me the ring.  I gently grabbed her left hand and slowly placed it on her ring finger.  "Perfect fit."  I whispered, making her blush.  I took it off of her hand and placed it back in the box.  "How much?"  I asked.

"$2,000, Sir."

"Knight, it's beautiful, but don't-"

"You heard the lady.  It really is beautiful, so I'll take it." I cut her off.  I heard her scoff from behind me, but I just chuckled as I handed the man the money.  He packed it in a bag for us and I locked it in the trunk of the car for safe keeping.  She playfully smacked me after I locked the car.

"That ring was so expensive and completely unnecessary."  She shook her head at me and placed her hands on her hips.

"Yes, it was, but I knew by the way you looked at it, you liked it."  I smirked, wrapping my arms around her waist and bringing her body against mine.

"Fine.  It's the most beautiful ring I've ever seen."  She sighed, putting her petite hands on my chest.  I quickly spun her around and pushed her back against the car.  I leaned down and kissed her.  She gripped onto my jacket and wrapped one of her legs around my calf.  I caged her in with my arms and we closed our eyes as we continued our kiss.  That is, until I heard a noise from behind me.

I pulled my lips away from her and grabbed the man behind me, slamming him against the car.  Grace yelped and grabbed onto my left arm.  I moved her behind me as I pointed my gun at the man.  I felt Grace grip onto my jacket from behind me.

"Who the hell are you?"  I growled.

"The distraction."  He answered calmly with a smirk on his face.  My eyes widened and I heard another gun cock from behind us.

"Shit."  I hissed, putting my hands up in surrender.

"Nice to see you again, Little Brother."  His voice echoed in my ear.

"We're the same age, Asshole."  I growled.

"Shut up, put your gun down, and slowly turn around."  He ordered.  I did as he said and turned to see that he already had his arm wrapped around Grace's neck.  She was trying hard not to look scared, but I could see her shaking.  I narrowed my eyes at him before the man behind me kicked me to the ground and put handcuffs on me before dragging us both off.