Page 162 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

“Fucking glad you aren’t because I’ve lost automatically,” Ares groans. “I don’t even want to see those two’s cocks again. They were fighting in the hockey change room the other day because Zander wanted to flaunt his new fucking tattoo! Why does that man have a tattoo on his already pierced cock?” Ares sounds appalled.

I’m appalled because this is the most I’ve heard him casually talk.

Ever.

“HE SHOWED IT TO YOU?!” Verena gasps. “He’s been hiding it from me! Saying it’s healing!”

“It’s healed,” Ares assures her. “Go hop on your marked lollipop who enjoys competition with Matteo in everything. I swear, stalkers love to compete against each other without even realizing it.”

“Or do they just like each other?” Verena offers. “Don’t tell them I said that.”

“Maybe if I do, they’ll kiss and stop making everyone else miserable with their foolishness, which they do when you’re not around because you won’t entertain that shit.”

“Probably.” She already sounds happier. “Done cheering me up?”

“I hope so because I’ve never talked so much.” Ares laughs. “My Cunning Canary can’t even act surprised.”

“I tried?” she offers and joins in on laughing with him. “Thanks, Ares. I don’t even remember what my nightmare was about, which is good.”

“We’ll make that a priority to get checked, okay?” Ares offers. “For now, let’s go back home and change. I’m sure Zander will join us since he’s probably watching us from his phone somewhere.”

“He’s not playing with Matteo?”

“He’s on the bench as a goalie replacement for Flex. Since the whole poster incident, he’s been absent, but I think they said he’ll return for the games. He had a whole mental breakdown and shit, so they threw him in a psych ward to ensure he wasn’t suicidal or anything.”

“Ah, makes sense,” Verena comments.

“I’m sure if I text Matteo, he’ll find a way to meet us there. The Hannah girl would think of a miracle to helicopter that man to the place.”

“Why can I imagine that?” Verena shakes her head. “Um… what about Warren?” she offers, then corrects herself. “I mean Aries.”

“Oh, he’s not coming,” Ares speaks on my behalf as if he knows my plans. I see how he lifts his gaze my way and how that plastered smile is completely fake.

His eyes tell me what his true intentions are.

He heard everything…

“Aries has a meeting with our dad. Something about the Empire and other shit I don’t need to worry about since he’s the favorite,” Ares teases, but I hear the taunt in his tone. “So, he won’t be coming, right brother?”

I want to defy and remind him that I’m the one who sacrificed far too much so he can keep Father’s Empire. Ientertain this meeting shit despite not wanting to be involved in our family’s businesses and commitments.

Yet, he’s able to switch sides, despite us being blood. It makes sense now because I’m beginning to grasp what Verena meant when it came to love.

Actions speak louder than words.

Ares is beginning to fall for this woman.

While I can’t even envision a chance.

“Yes,” I end up answering, “If I can make it, I’ll let you know.”

“No need,” Ares assures him. “Us three being there is more than enough protection at the shoot. Go rest. You’ve been pushing yourself lately. Bet you didn’t miss all the schoolwork you have to complete in a timely manner.” Even though he’s trying to act as normal as we’ve ever been to one another, it falls flat.

We can’t ignore it, yet that’s what has to be done if we want to leave without breaking things up in a massive fight.

“What if those from Danny’s posse are there?” Verena brings up.

“They won’t be there,” Ares assures her and wraps her up in a hug, bringing her against him. “That won’t happen again. Ever again. I’ll no longer allow anyone who isn’t deserving of your presence to be in your space. They won’t dare breathe the same air.”

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