Luxury of Vengeance by Isabella Carter Read Free Book Online

plan. "I want my mother and sister back."
    "Nothing will bring them back."
    "I suppose not. Because we do not always get what we want. Thank you so very kindly for this
    reminder, General. You may feel free to leave me now."
    "Chien." Bao pulled him back toward the bed when Chien might have stood. "You speak of
    treason."
    Chien sighed, "I speak of nothing, General, only suggestions and hypotheticals."
    "Why do you play the part of fool?" Because he was a fool. He was allowing Bao to pull him
    closer until Chien was snug against him. It was warm, too warm in the night heat, but Chien did not
    complain.
    "If my aunt thought I might show any intelligence, do you think she would allow me to survive?"
    Bao did not respond immediately. His lips brushed over Chien's forehead, light as a butterfly
    over his eyelids. He was in no hurry. He did not know that in mere hours now there would be no time. "I much prefer this version of you."
    "You have said that before."
    Bao's hand explored beneath his robe to rest against his chest. "What would it take to make you
    happy Chien?"
    "Does that matter to you so much?"
    "Sometimes I think you enjoy loneliness. That you want nothing more than to end your life as a
    miserable old man."
    "Then maybe you're the fool. No one enjoys being alone." Hiding in the darkness, jumping at
    every sound, afraid that that might just bring the ones who would kill him. Hours. He'd hidden for hours, his mother's sword clutched tightly in his hands.
    "Then stop trying to push me away. Let me help you. What would make you happy?"
    His aunt's head on a pike. But that would be treason. So instead he reached up to guide Bao's
    lips to his own. His kiss was demanding as always. Bao wanted too much, far more than Chien would
    ever be able to give him. He pulled away just before Chien could fear that there was nothing left.
    Anymore and this man might know everything. He might know his heart. That could not be allowed.
    Chien shifted his leg until Bao was cradled between his thighs. The rough cotton of the Bao's
    robe chafed against his skin. "Will you tell the Empress what you saw?"
    "I should. I made an oath to the Empress. It is by my oath that my people are cared for and my
    parents are fed. Should I violate my oath and forfeit my honor?" His finger played with the soft skin of Chien's inner thigh, but he did not move further up. "Perhaps if you could convince me."
    "General—Bao," Chien corrected when he saw the annoyed slash of Bao's brow, "I poured
    nothing into his drink."
    "I am not stupid enough to believe that." His hand tightened for a moment on Chien's wrist, a
    quick hurt before he returned to the soft, short kisses that covered every part of his face but his mouth.
    "Why do you find it so difficult to tell me the truth?"
    "Because this might be the end, and I do not wish to waste precious time."
    Bao was angry at his statement, he could tell in the way the kisses turned into nips. Tiny sparks
    of pain along his neck. "Will it be worth the price? Your plan?"
    19 | Luxury of Vengeance

    His vengeance was worth everything. His vengeance was the only thing he had left that was
    truly his. "I do not wish to speak of this."
    Bao sat up, fingers under his chin to make Chien look into his eyes, "There will come a time
    when you will not be able to avoid my questions."
    "There will come a time when you will see the answer for yourself."
    The nips moved downward toward his chest. Bao's fingers moving upward to encircle his
    erection in a loose grip. "Then if I can have nothing else, I will have you cry out my name."
    Chien might have argued, but Bao's hand tightened, and he could not deny that the sound that
    left his throat was dangerously close to a whimper. "I find I do not have the patience tonight to be gentle with you." Yet contrary to his words, his hand brushed softly against Chien's cheek, "You may keep your secrets tonight, my prince. And I shall not say a word to the Empress."
    "What of your