Page 7 of Monstrous Grave

He’s ruthless, uses cunning tactics, and has an unrelenting appetite for chaos in our world. As the rumors go, he’s the second-born son to the García cartel, but when a tragic accident happened way before I moved into the Valenti house, the second-born was forced to step up. He’s assumed to take over the García cartel once his old man steps down, but I have no idea how that shit will go. The man is a lone wolf through and through. Yet, much like the cartel’s reputation, his presence is known before one even crosses his path. Rarely seen in public, he exists as both a ghost and a tangible threat—someone who methodically devours his prey, opting for gradual consumption rather than a quick and painless disassembling. He is more lethal than a katana sword cutting straight through you.

At this point, I can almost feel the blood rushing through my body like a pot of water left on the stove for too long. Mr. Valenti stares at me with equal parts annoyance and satisfaction, with a twitch of his lips. I wouldn’t have noticed it had I not stared right at his face—disrespecting him further—but the shock is too evident in my expression.

Alec isn’t nearly as tense as I am; instead, his posture is relaxed and composed, as if he isn’t even bothered by this revelation. The fucker knew about this, and he told me nothing.

“What the fuck for?” I growl, unable to stop the reaction from coming out of my mouth once again.

Oh God, I’m in so much trouble.

Mr. Valenti’s steely gaze meets mine as an ice-cold feeling washes over me, like a bucket of cold water that’s been left out in the Arctic.

“There’s no room for disobedience here. Remember your place, girl, and who took you in when no one wanted you,” he spits out, saliva flying out of his mouth, only landing a few centimeters away from me.

Fucking disgusting.

His words are meant to hurt me, but all they do is further anger me, pouring gasoline on the rage waring within my body.

“Understood,” I grit through my teeth.

The prospect of having to work with a bastard fucking biker with no regard for anyone else is akin to dancing on the precipice of danger and unpredictability, especially since this was my fucking heist. Unfortunately, my fate is sealed by the words of a man I both despise and owe my allegiance to, making me hate him even more.

Annoyance ripples through me once again, stronger than before, as I stand to leave the room. I hear their voices calling out for me, but I refuse to back down and continue walking.

Fuck them both.

Chapter 3

Arcane

Age 18

“You don’t lay a finger on her, and you certainly don’t fucking look at her. If I catch you doing it one more time, I’ll put you down like the pathetic little dog you are.”

His words slice through the atmosphere like a knife, each one carrying a threat that echoes in the world around us. The wind carries them, creating an unsettling sound that will surely draw onlookers, forming a circling crowd around us. Kaiden’s back is turned to me, his muscles flexing with each deliberate step toward the other boy—Leo, a fucking cowardly boy who still manages to tear down my confidence with words and falsely spread lies. I can’t help but bite my lip, watching with hesitation as the scene unfurls before me.

This wasn’t how the end of my school day was supposed to turn out, and the bitter taste of bile lingers on the back of my tongue.

“Are we clear?”

The words spewing from my foster brother’s mouth are filled with such indifference, you wouldn’t know he’s threatening someone. His demeanor is cool, calm, and collected, as if this is a normal occurrence for him.

Minutes tick by, the only audible sounds are the footsteps coming closer. Leo’s silence hangs heavily in the air as I stand in the middle of the crowd, my face flushed and palms sweaty from the rush of adrenaline pulsing through me. I hate violence, despise it, even. Yet there’s something in the way Kaiden protects me that makes a fluttering sensation take root deep within my stomach, creeping closer to my most sensitive part.

Throughout the years, my attraction for my foster brother has only intensified, making it impossible to be in the same room as him without my heart pounding and my body on edge. Goddamn hormones. At this point, I’m certain Kaiden has noticed my feelings, judging by his deliberate teasing—like showing up in my room wearing nothing but a towel or invading my personal space with that smirk of his. He’s infuriating, especially when he sneaks through my window at night, tucking me into bed, pressing his body close to mine. He’s always seeking to touch and provoke me, and it drives me mad.

Low whispers come from the crowd, and without a second’s hesitation, Kaiden’s fist meets Leo’s face, sending him tumbling to the ground. A high-pitched shrill is heard across the schoolyard, drawing the attention of nearby students who begin to approach.

Fuck, this isn’t good at all.

I make my way over to my foster brother, gripping his arm while attempting to tug him away. He tears his gaze away from Leo, his lips busted and coated with blood as it slowly dries.

“Let’s go,” I mumble urgently.

Leo rises, legs unsteady, but his expression betrays emotions I’d rather not confront. “She’s a fucking bitch,” he sneers.

The lethal darkness taking over my foster brother’s eyes is alarming, making unease travel down my spine in violent shivers. Another glint replaces the previous calm façade Kaiden wore on the surface; now, he looks as if he’s ready to murder Leo with his bare fists.

I swallow what feels like molten lava running down my throat as I attempt to tug at his sleeve again, but it’s too late. He gently releases my grip, stalking toward Leo before grabbing him by his collar. Leo starts choking, sputtering out words, but the rage is all too prominent in my brother. There’s no restraining him when he’s like this; his temperament only worsens by the day.

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