Page 146 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

“No. I don’t care if people see it,” he argues. “I’m also not upset.”

“Then?”

“You’re okay with that unhinged side of him?”

I’m not sure how much he knows or, dare I say, “saw,” seeing as Zander may be a better stalker than Matteo, but I can see a level of conflict in his eyes.

“It’s not whether I’m okay with it or not,” I confess. “I accept each of you. I knew becoming a Maiden would dump me into a group full of psychotic sickos, but truthfully, none of you is necessarily bad. You guys have your reasons for doing what you do. Acting the way you have to in our world to gain respect and admiration. I’m coming to learn that there are unspoken rules that will either hold us back or propel us forward. Either way, I don’t want us to be losers. We deserve to be victorious. Even if it means putting my body on the line to be used or abused.”

I let those words sink in before adding, “But it’s not like he intentionally hurt me. I… wanted it. Encouraged and allowed it. He acted because I gave him permission, and I’m fine with that.” I need to make that crystal clear because I feel as though Zander is trying to protect me.

Maybe he doesn’t want what happened with Domino to repeat itself with Matteo.

“As long as you gave him permission,” Zander finally mutters. “Then I’ll allow it. For now.”

“Hmmm. You’re a lot more overprotective than I’d expect,” I conclude and smirk. “I like it.”

“Don’t,” he grunts and begins to walk away, causing me to giggle and chase after him.

“Aww, don’t be mad. You love when I praise you.”

“Yeah… in bed. With my pierced cock deep in your pussy praise before you’re withering beneath me,” he huffs far too loudly.

“Zander!” I hiss but catch up to him because, despite his annoyance, he slows down when he realizes I’m trying to keep up. “Everyone can hear you.”

“Good. Can’t deal with any more fuckers trying to claim what’s ours,” he complains and offers his hand back so I can reach out and grasp his. “Who’s the prick who calls you Pigtails?”

“Huh?” I need a few seconds. “You mean the one from today? Marcus.”

“Right. The douche who came with Domino and the cocky prick.” I doubt he forgot his name. I think he wanted to know if I still remembered him. “Who is he?”

“I don’t know,” I admit with a frown.

Zander looks over his shoulder to observe me, but with a few silent steps, he frowns.

“You don’t know him?”

“Well, I can’t remember him, to be fair. I mean, he knows me and from what Domino was saying earlier, he had to be a bully as well in Domino’s posse, but nothing is ringing in my mind. I remember Danny. Well, he’s also dead. There are six others, but I’m not sure Marcus was one of them.” He seems important in some way, but I still can’t figure out why.

“I’ll look into it,” Zander says. “If he’s with Domino, he has to be important because Domino needs anyone with some sort of power or influence. From what Matteo said, his Empire was sold to Leighton.”

“Do you think Domino is offering to give it back if Marcus cooperates with him?” I offer.

“Maybe, but Marcus doesn’t look easy to convince. Also, with all the talk and news regarding Matteo’s uprising and Domino’s brewing downfall, I doubt he’ll believe such a fable for long unless Domino has some form of contractual proof that he can get Marcus’ Empire back.”

“He has a better chance speaking with Matteo,” I note as Zander squeezes my hand and takes the lead in directing us.

We notice the approaching crowd, which is why we slow down to observe what’s happening.

“We’ll talk about it later,” Zander notes, but is surveying the crowd. “What’s happening?” he asks much louder, grabbing the attention of a few males to our left in football uniforms.

“One of the upper-class men’s sex tape leaked or something,” one of the jocks announces, causing his peers to laugh in mockery. “Posters of him sucking cock is all over the fucking entryway and on every locker throughout the school.”

“Fucking embarrassing,” another one speaks up.

“Bro, isn’t that Flex?”

“Mallon? The cocky goalie of Leighton Sharks?” One asks and laughs even harder. “Yo, I knew he was gay.”

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