Page 131 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

“Let’s walk with the others,” he encourages and offers his hand. “We’ll head to the main building and split there. If there are any activities where all four of us can’t be around, Hannah will always be near, observing.”

I place my hand in his, but when he tries to tug me away, I pause for a moment.

“Matteo?”

“Yes, Sweet Precious Gem?”

“Do you really think I’m happy?” I just can’t wrap my head around that.

“I’ll show you one day,” he promises and squeezes my hand. “Then you’ll realize how worthy you are of happiness, Evangeline.”

His words don’t make sense to me, despite them being so clear and full of wisdom.

As we head back to join the others, it makes me wonder… when was the last time I was happy?

Truly happy…

It’s a shame to admit, I can’t recall.

20

A SPIRALING FORCE OF HAVOC

~GEMINI~

“Do you have to strut to the school shirtless?” Sia complains venomously. “You have no shame.”

“Shame? What is there to be ashamed of with a six-pack and symbolic tattoos?” Keir ponders while his arm is casually swung over Ishya’s shoulders. “You’re only acting uninterested because Theo would slit your throat for looking at another royal more handsome than him.”

“Has anyone told you that you’re a selfish, conceited bastard?” Theo states as though he’s thinking out loud.

“Matteo has, but you know, he’s my best friend. Of course, he’s going to talk shit in my face, and I’ll ignore it because he’s doing exactly that. Talking shit.”

“Do you even listen to yourself when you speak?” Sia questions.

“Certainly not. Then I have to give a care about who is listening to me. All that will do is increase the list of unidentified bodies I have in the basement, and I get enough shit fromthe maids and servers regarding ‘perversion’ techniques for Dummies.”

It’s good Matteo’s holding my hand because he stops me from crashing into Sia.

“You’re insane!” Sia snarls. “Do you have no morals?”

“And what do morals have anything to do with killing the deserving?” Keir offers in return. He doesn’t seem annoyed by Sia’s obvious rudeness, but something about her question must encourage him to stop in his tracks with Ishya.

We’re only a few steps from the door that would lead to the main building. We’ll no longer have the privacy of this place—wherever it stems from—which is why Keir’s confronting this here and now.

“No one deserves to die.”

“If that’s your way of thinking, Savage Maiden, you won’t live to ascend to the Savage Queen,” Keir declares loud and clear. “You think any of us wish to be the beings we are?”

“That’s not what?—”

“Royals like you piss me the fuck off,” he snaps and spins around to face Sia so quickly, the abrupt movement takes all of us back.

“Keir,” Matteo warns, but there’s no sternness in his statement at all. I bet Keir acknowledges that as well.

“You sit in your pastures of riches and privileges but judge everyone else at the table as if your family hasn’t enjoyed sinking their hands in the pools of blood from slaves, orphans, and anyone who is considered weak.”

“My family are honorable men and women who gained their positions through birthright and hard work!” Sia argues.

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