Page 195 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

It takes him breaking the kiss for him to answer me.

“You deserve the world, Dolcezza,” he whispers breathlessly as he leans in to pull my bottom lip with his teeth. He sucks on it before releasing it, enjoying the sight of how red my bottom lip becomes. “There’ll come times when your Ruthless Kings have no choice but to punish you, but we’ll always be the first to reward you when you’ve done things beyond our expectations,” he confesses.

He leans back, encouraging me to do the same. Zander presents the cupcake and the candle, which is thankfully still lit. Makes me realize that the trees in this clearing are so thick above that the rain can barely get in. Having the sound of rainfall in the background only adds to this romantic and memorable moment.

“When you laid in bed for days, unconscious and fighting to remain alive, I wanted to shield you from the world. To ensure no one dares hurt you again. However, you can’t keep butterflies caged forever. Whether we like it or not, when caterpillars nestle in their cocoons, they have every intention of escaping their nestled cage and flying out into the world. Stopping them leads to their demise, and I realize… I don’t want your end. My heart yearns for your rise.”

He presents the cupcake to me then, giving me a heartfelt smile as those wonderful eyes soften in pure appreciation.

“I’ve lived a life of constant carnage. Suffered a lifestyle of havoc. Obsessed with the desire for power and dare to admit my palpable need for vengeance. I’ve gained all those things, yet never felt a true sense of purpose. A level of satisfaction in doing what delivers a sense of belonging in this vast, dangerous world. I thought building my parents’ Empires would make me feel alive again. Seeking revenge on all those who mocked and used my family name for years.

“I got so addicted to needing to be seen as some psychotic bastard with no mercy, I thought being a Ruthless King would only further fulfill me. It would give me that final push to feel worthy. In validating my life when the key pieces of purpose were taken from me.”

He looks at the candle as if he’s looking back at the time he got a present, some sort of decorated dessert. I’m sure it was when he was still an innocent child, oblivious to how horrible and truly ruthless this world is.

“I chased that sensation for years as a Ruthless King, and when they said a Ruthless Maiden had to be chosen, I mocked the idea. I’ve done everything to gain a sense of purpose, yet a woman is supposed to come and fulfill our needs. To tame our madness until we’re offered another option. It was laughable,” he admits and shakes his head. “Then you came, out of fuckingnowhere, and I suddenly realized what my father meant when he said it was love at first sight meeting Mother. How your world that’s crashing all around you can suddenly stop the moment she walks into the room. Strolls right into your life and sets into orbit, taking you for a ride as all your attention begins to focus on her determination to stay on that curved path that encircles you, no matter the flaws and imperfections.”

He looks into my eyes again, and they grow glassy.

“When your orbit stopped, I realized you’re the center of my attention. Your orbit around me keeps me sane. Tames all that noise in my head that wondered ‘what if’ or ‘what now’ whenever I couldn’t keep myself occupied. I realized that hurting you wasn’t intentional but a form of coping I was taught as vital to being a Ruthless King, but I realize there are other ways of taming my madness. Other people far more deserving of experience my wrath, and that means I can do good things, too. That my purpose will always change and grow without me being a sicko bastard to the one who’d impale a predator with a knife.”

I blush at that part before I groan.

“I-I thought you were kidnapped,” I whine shyly.

“You’d run into a clearing with multiple kidnappers and guns to save me with a blade?” he offers with a smirk.

“Yes.” There’s not a hint of hesitation in my voice. “You’d be surprised what a woman can do with a blade.” I further lower my voice. “My mom is giving me lessons. Shh.”

He arches an eyebrow my way but laughs and shakes his head.

“My Sweet Dynamite never ceases to amaze me,” he praises and further presents the cupcake. “Make a wish, Dolcezza.”

“That no matter how ruthless this world gets… and the potential distance brought between us, that we’ll always find each other… love each other… fight for each other. Until the veryend,” I quietly plea as my tears finally shed down my cheeks. “That this crazy thing called love lasts forever.”

I lean in to blow out the candle, watching the last warmth of glow splash on Zander’s face as a tear runs down his cheek. I blow it out, then lean in to kiss Zander’s lips tenderly.

“Don’t cry, my King,” I whisper. “You’ll make me want to burn the world for you.”

He chuckles and tries to stop his sobs as he shakes his head.

“Sweet Dynamite, if you go burning the world, there’ll be no survivors,” he taunts. “Because when you’re committed to something, you go all in. It’s frightening as fuck.”

“Is it?” I tease and moan into his mouth when he claims my lips and pushes me closer with the hand that’s gripping the back of my head. He doesn’t answer because he’s so into this kiss.

It’s different from all the others… so raw, passionate, intense, yet soft. The world seems to come to a standstill as the sound of rain falling from the sky to the ground continues.

His tongue taunts my lips, begging for access that I humbly allow. We get tangled in a lustful exchange, our moans and panting breaths growing in frequency and volume until we’re fighting for the oxygen needed to stay alive.

He presses his forehead against mine, and for once, I feel a sense of peace.

I don’t feel like I’m drowning or lost in the various thoughts begging for my attention. There’s no need to listen to the voices and plot domination in this world that preys on the weak and mocks the gender they’re always desperate to be sexually fed off on.

I come to accept that Zayn is my safety blanket in this world, and it’s a weakness I can’t afford to lose. He carries a piece of my sanity, and I guess I carry a piece of his.

Thunder roars through the sky, and we look up to acknowledge the orange skies above.

“We should get to the house before it really thunderstorms,” Zander encourages. “I don’t want your beauty to get drenched, but first… the cupcake.” He proceeds to slowly pull my knife out of it. “Good work, Knifey,” he praises and licks the chocolate residue from the blade.

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