Page 152 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

“Used to but been too busy surviving to get back into it,” I answer. “One day.”

“What games did you play? W.O.W?”

“Yes. Later on, though. I used to love racing games since I couldn’t drive because of my condition. Makes me feel like I can do anything being in a car that goes extra fast. Bikes are my fave.”

“Nerdy biker girl with glasses, addiction to games, and does modeling gigs on the side,” he summarizes. “An influencer in a nutshell.”

“God, no,” I gasp and cringe in horror. “Don’t you dare say that?”

“Okay, okay.” His bubbling laughter makes me giggle as well before he increases his strides, so he’s taking the lead now. “Let’s learn more about each other, okay?”

When he peers my way, I can tell he means it.

Yearning to learn more about me. The real me.

“Okay.”

23

AVOIDANCE ONLY BURNS BRIDGES PART I

~WARREN~

“L-L-Listen! I told you everything, I swear.”

The stench of piss only confirms this fucker has probably pissed himself in fear.

“The contact is unknown. I even traced it out of suspicion because the job looked like a setup, but I needed the cash. I’m desperate,” he cries frantically. “The fucker has to have big bucks to try to make a hit on Matteo’s woman and conceal their identity. Please, I don’t know. I’ll give you all my intel! I’ll fucking bring you to the bar that hosted the job. J-J-Just don’t kill me!”

It’s tempting, but there are too many flaws.

“Where’s the listening located?” I further press the barrel of my gun to his temple, making him squirm and sob.

“24th and Westley! You know, Jones’ place. Near that fancy restaurant owned by the Joaquin geezer! I swear, it has to be some secret organization or a fucker with loads of money, but not the usual ones. I know when jobs are ordered by the rich assholes like Prescott, Leighton, or even Joaquin geezer.”

He’s right. If they had wanted Eva’s assassination, they would have done it themselves.

This may be related to Matteo in some way. I didn’t want to inform him of how frequently I’ve had to stop these fuckers from targeting Eva, but this shit is getting out of hand.

I’ll burn out at this rate.

That’s what grinds my fucking gears. I’ve never admitted to struggling, never struggled to keep her safe, but this has to be done intentionally.

Could this even be Matteo trying to wear me down?

It’s possible, but truth be told, he doesn’t seem like the type to give a shit if I win a bet or not.

Not at the expense of V’s safety.

“Please, please, please? Spare me. I got loads of tea. Want to know about Leighton’s son? The Domino boy? Everyone’s talking about him and how he’s been an outcast from the Leighton Manor. Some are saying his mother may not be his. That he’s some accident born from a maid who stole Leighton’s sperm from the lab and impregnated herself. They only took him in to hide the incident, but the rumors spread. I bet it’s true. The only thing he takes from Leighton is his temper.”

This fucker is talking too much. I’m struggling not to pull the trigger.

“Wh-What about the rumors about that fourth Ruthless King?! The one Matteo handpicked!” That has my attention, and he knows it because I see the sparkle of hope in his eyes. “Everyone’s talking about his return. Like he’s some sort of menace to the university. Everyone’s trying to find dirt on him from when he used to reign as one of the Ruthless Kings at Leighton, but there’s nothing. Like he’s some sort of ghost.”

Obviously.

I’m the one that burned every record and trace to ash.

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