Page 132 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

“Hard work, yet their palms have not a single callous. Hard work because when they were born into the world, they were praised and coddled, while the poor were met with insults and misery. My birthright glimmers in my face every fucking day, butI can’t even get a taste of it because I’m the bastard child, yet you think you’re more deserving? Let someone enter your space and fuck you up and see if you’ll be sputtering shit about morals.”

“Keir.” The stern voice comes from Theo, matched with a narrowed gaze. I realize Sia’s posture is far too stiff, meaning something was said that has to hit a nerve for Theo to interfere. “Enough.”

“Teach this bitch to either stay the fuck silent or remember her fucking place in our society because, outside those doors, no one has fucking mercy for a sophisticated bitch.”

The silence that followed is not necessarily awkward but more so ‘heavy’ in nature. It feels like both sides said something triggering and these are the repercussions for it.

Matteo and I are in the middle.

Giving Matteo a worrisome look, I’m sure he gets my vision of concern.

“Did you two secure your positions on the hockey team?” The question is so random, yet it shifts the environment almost instantly.A distraction.“Coach Hennessy will announce it by the end of the week after fourth period. We’re in the same upperclassman activities.”

“Unless you’re captain, I ain’t doing shit,” Theo mutters dryly.

“Damn, Matteo, you’re villainous. You’re going to take your little brother’s position, too?” Keir inquiries. The topic of hockey had made him switch back to his “usual” self.

“He’s not captain of the team from what Coach Hennessy stated,” Matteo reveals, looking unbothered. “If he is and is losing that, too, I don’t know what to say. The only person he should blame for the misfortune his falling status has ignited is himself.”

A beep follows with a foreign ringtone.

“Ah, I have to take it,” Keir huffs in annoyance as he works on taking his phone out of his pant pocket. “That should be my new shirt. I’ll wait for you guys outside, then?”

“I’ll join you. Better when we walk through the main halls together. Less chance of being jumped,” Theo encourages.

“Who’d be stupid enough to jump me?” Keir genuinely asks. “I mean, it’s happened, but we all saw the ending to that.”

I can only imagine.

“Ishya, follow,” Keir encourages but looks over at Matteo and me. “I found a new cage joint. Won’t open till a few weeks from now. Legit spot. Let’s go.”

Matteo bobs his head.

Keir specifically looks at me.

“Glad to meet you, Ruthless Maiden. Hope to see you wreak havoc on like your men. Would be entertaining to see what a woman can do in this male-dominated world.”

I doubt he grasps how his words of ‘praise’ my way make his own Maiden look useless. As though he’s not excited to see what she can unleash in this vile world. I don’t know their story, but I secretly wish Ishya would open up from this little shell she’s put herself in. There has to be a bit of bite within her that’s just waiting to come out.

When they depart, Theo is next to look our way.

“If you didn’t know, Ruthless Maiden, this is Leighton Royals Archway for Elites. I’m sure you noticed we six were the only ones allowed entry. The others, minus Benedict,”—he pauses to roll his eyes—“because he doesn’t follow any rules the world gives him, weren’t allowed passage. They have to take the longer route. You’re allowed because you’re a Maiden but as the weeks go by, your access will also depend on managing your grades, etc. Status is crucial.”

He gestures to Sia.

“If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask Anastasia. She’s a bitch, but she’ll be nice to those I approve of.”

“Th-Theo!” Sia hisses. “Don’t insult me in front of others!”

“Mhmm.” He doesn’t care about that. “If that phone call for Keir is from India, that conversation is going to take at least fifteen minutes, so let’s not waste our time,” he encourages. “Also know, whatever is spoken in archway elite is protected. It’s why we can be rather ‘easygoing’ in this space.”

No wonder why they were so friendly and relaxed with one another. It isn’t a competition between one another, and nothing will be used against them.

“So, all of us aren’t enemies?” I inquire.

“Oh no, we are,” Theo laughs at that. “Just Matteo, Keir, and I have a special friendship. Most don’t understand, and that’s okay, but it doesn’t mean every Deviant Lord or Savage Heir wants your survival. If that were the case, your previous Ruthless King wouldn’t have plotted your demise.”

“You know a lot more than I’d like to acknowledge,” I mutter, noticing my tone of dissatisfaction. It makes Matteo smirk while Theo shrugs his shoulders.

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