Page 31 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

“Zayn.”

I blink a few times, pulling myself out of that web of despair.

When I’m looking at Arlo once more, his expression is hard to read.

“If you fight hard enough now, you’ll get the happy ending you yearn for.” His words sound too good to be true. “Just don’t get sucked up into those reactive emotions of yours.”

My anger. My craving for nothing but destruction. The alter-ego that would pull the trigger on anyone if it meant those I love were safe, even if it was temporary.

“Easier said than done, Arlo.” I mean those words because everything is changing before my eyes.It fucking scares me.“I went from not caring to suddenly watching my circle of importance crumble. How am I not supposed to react when someone who vowed to care for your survival turns their back on you?” My eyes narrow to slits as I allow a hint of my anger to come out in my gaze.

“He vowed we’d rise together. Promised we’d repeat the rewards of vengeance. Agreed with Ares’ plan that Carnage ignites Havoc and Obsession will lead us down the path of Vengeance, which we’ve all sought since our lives were turned upside down.” I bite my bottom lip hard to rein in the crazed side of me that’s desperate to scream.

I can envision that little boy in the depths of the darkness. Gripping the metal bars of captivity, tear-stricken flushed cheeks and dried lips that are open in rebellion.

My inner child is hurting. All because I thought I could trust someone again.

“Domino betrayed us all, Arlo.” It hurts to admit it. “How the fuck am I supposed to act? As if I don’t want to explode?”

He doesn’t answer me.

Taking another go at my drink, I see the first glimpses of light on the horizon.

“They say trust is earned,” I whisper. “He earned it. Played the game so fucking well. My bank became our bank. My resources became our resources. My purpose morphed into our purpose.” I laugh at that one, and the sound is sad as fuck.

It’s hard not to let the pools of water fall from my eyes.

“Now look at me.” I see the hint of hurt in Arlo’s eyes as his softened pupils follow the trail of that single tear that runs down my left cheek. “A fucking fool.”

I shake my head and blink away the rest of my tears. They won’t change what’s already been written. What’s been sowed into the darkness and is waiting to be spread far and wide.

That the Ruthless Kings of Carnage is no more.

“That’s exactly why you have to prove to the world you’re far from a fool.”

The click of the safety being switched off on Arlo’s gun only makes me smirk. He catches my hand raise, signaling him to hold off.

It’s not because I’m tempted to shoot this fucker for fun.

It’s because I don’t want to wake up Dolcezza.

“Again, easier said than done,” I declare as I rotate my wrist so I can watch the golden beverage spin around in the glass. “So, unless you have an easy way to fix this madness, I suggest you don’t try to ruin my grand sunrise.”

“You wouldn’t have been able to see it if I didn’t allow my snipers to let your mobile doctor in here.” I catch the movement in the corner of my eye, but I pay no mind because I don’t feel a sense of danger with his arrival.

That could also be the alcohol. I really shouldn’t drink in unfamiliar environments.

“Reminding us that we’re prisoners isn’t very welcoming when trying to make an alliance, Bunny Stalker.”

He comes into view now, the dim light washing over his tall figure.

For a moment, my heart skips a beat while my head pounds in anger.

How similar he looks to that fucker.

I recognize the difference far too quickly, though. It screams dominance when the rays of warm light flicker along those hard lines of his face and accent the power in his calm expression.

Matteo Leighton is so different from his little brother, it’s amazing to see with your own eyes.

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