Page 92 of Heirs of Havoc

You shouldn’t have messed with them.

But if they’re in trouble with my father, I'm the only one that can help.

Rounding a corner, my sneakers slow, something familiar appearing in the distance. A rickety wooden structure. A pang slams into my chest when it hits me.

It’s the abandoned house I saw that night. The night Lev and Vlad chased me like maniacs.

Slowing down, I catch my breath.

Was my mom’s time in Clementine this hectic? This crazy?

Doubt it.

My back hits the tattered wooden wall. Leaning over, I finally let my ponytail out of its hold. My hair falls over my head, the night playing in my mind. The fear they gave me, the thrill, the literal chase. My thighs clench when I think about every time I’ve spent with them afterward.

I thought they were leading me to my demise, but I led them to theirs.

Crunch.

My head whips up to the sound, my brows furrowing as I listen out again.

Crunch.

I’m afraid to say anything should it be a student from campus.

Or worse, Eve.

Crunch.

Taking a silent breath, I try to steady my heart. It could be anything. A squirrel. A rabbit. Heck, way out here, it could be a beaver. But if I’m this shaken, it’s time to get back to Chaya’s dorm. Heading back down the trail, that feeling rises inside me.

Someone’s watching you.

Glancing back, I keep an eye out for anyone suspicious. I’m almost back to the dorms when I slam into something hard. “Oomph!”

“There you are.”

It’s not a tree or a lamppost.

It’s a person.

Looking up, Xavier looks down at me with a smile.

My body tenses. “What are you still doing here?” There’s a scar under his eye right next to a long red mark leading to his mouth. His other eye stays half-closed, a little blue and purple.

The hell did the guys do to him?

“Can ask the same to you.” He takes a step closer, that French accent stripped from his tone. Now he sounds like a regular guy from my dad’s hood. “You’re gonna pay for what those guys did to me, Mia. Right before I take you back to your father. You’re coming with me.” He reaches for my wrist but I’m quick pulling back, a scowl coming to my face.

Heat rises inside me and I’m so fucking sick of this. I’m tired of people manhandling me. Sick of following orders. Sick of watching my back. I'm so sick, I scoff and move past him. “You can tell my father to go fuck himself.” Xavier’s hand lands on my forearm, fire boiling my insides. “Get off me, Xavier. Or whoever the fuck you are.”

“Well, that can’t happen.”

Don’t forget your power.

And with Vlad’s words in my head, I take my shot. A cheap one. My foot flies to his crotch, but he catches it. With me standing like a flamingo, my foot in his hand, he pushes me back and I stumble. He swings behind me, his forearm coming to my neck as my back slams against his chest. “Quit playing so hard to get,” he says in my ear. His arm squeezes against my neck, the pressure no match to Vlad’s, or Dom’s leash.

That night in the cage comes to my head, Vlad's directions calming me. “Stop being so easy.” Moving to the side, I execute the move Vlad taught me.

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