Page 115 of Lost Paradise

Astro’s expression remains chillingly calm. “I’m not the one mounting her at every given minute,” he says, his tone dead and uncomfortably even.

Zane moves his body forward, his eyes flashing with anger. “You promised you wouldn’t laugh at her, dickhead.”

Astro slowly turns his head towards Zane, disdain etched into his snarl. “Am I laughing?”

“You’re a fucking prick,” Zane scowls, his fists clenching at his sides.

The air sizzles with tension, the firelight casting harsh shadows on Astro’s face, highlighting the contempt in his features. My heart races, but I take a deep breath, trying to hold my anger at bay.

“What the fuck do you care what I think, anyway?” Astro glares at Zane with pure bitter hate that scares me to the core. His eyes burn with an intensity that makes my skin prickle.

“I’m just some flippin’ criminal to you. Right?” he sneers, his voice dripping with venom. “I could disappear into the ocean, and it wouldn’t make any difference to you.” He turns his glare on all of us, his eyes cold and accusing. “To any of you.”

We remain silent, shocked into stillness by the raw emotion in his words. His bitterness feels like a physical force pressing down on us, making the air heavy.

“I may as well not even exist,” he mutters, his voice cracking slightly, revealing a glimpse of the pain behind his anger.

Something stirs inside me with that statement, a mix of empathy and sorrow. Despite his harshness, I can see the loneliness and despair lurking beneath his tough exterior.

“That’s not true,” I tell him softly, my voice trembling slightly but resolute.

He sharpens his focus on me, his eyes narrowing, searching my face for any hint of insincerity. The intensity of his gaze makes my heart pound, but I hold my ground, willing him to see the truth in my words.

“You don’t like me anyway. We shared a moment a lifetime ago. But you found four other dicks to keep your cunt filled,” Astro snarls.

The group shifts uncomfortably around me. One growls low in his throat; another raises his lips in a snarl.

“Mate, watch your words,” another warns his voice a dangerous growl.

My eyes sting with tears, Astro’s cruel words cutting deep. “I have emotions too, and it hurts just as deeply when someone disregards them,” I say, my voice trembling but determined.

Astro rolls his eyes at me, his expression filled with disdain. “God, you’re so pathetic,” he snaps, narrowing his brows at me. “Don’t you ever, ever compare yourself to me!” he spits angrily. “Manhattan’s probably already shut down with you missing. Evelyn-fucking-Winters is gone!”

His words hit me like a slap, the tears welling up and threatening to spill. The others are tense, their anger simmering just beneath the surface. The fire crackles loudly in the silence that follows, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions swirling around us.

But my eyes sting with tears.

Just when I think he’s done, Astro opens his arrogant mouth again. “I like your diamonds, Eve,” he says, referring to the studs in my ears. “Real diamonds for America’s princess!”

“Shut up,” I say quietly, biting my lip to prevent my tears from escaping.

“Did you work for them? You know, do something other than sit on your pouf and look pretty?” he snides, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Shut your mouth!” I snap, my voice rising with anger and pain.

“Astro, seriously, shut the fuck up,” one of the guys growls, stepping forward protectively.

Astro’s eyes flash with a mix of defiance and bitterness.

“Or did your daddy buy these for you? Buy your affections because that’s the only way anyone can get into your stone-cold, stuck-up, posh heart,” Astro taunts, his voice dripping with venom.

Before I can respond, Zane shoots up and storms over to Astro, his face contorted with rage. Without a second thought, he swings a fist into Astro’s face. The impact is solid, and Astro’s head snaps to the side, but he barely flinches before standing up and swinging back with his own punch, landing it squarely on Zane’s jaw.

Foster and Jack jump up and rush to them.

Foster swiftly grabs Zane, pulling him back before the situation escalates. "We don't need a brawl," he asserts firmly, keeping a solid grip on Zane.

Jack steps in between them, his glare fixed silently on Astro. Despite their friendship, Jack is prepared to take the necessary steps to ensure his friend remains restrained.

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