Page 3 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

I’m unsure whether to disdain the name now, especially when the shortened version was abused by that cowardly murderer. Despite the pulsing pain in my chest, I can’t let go of my birth name. No matter the rocky roads that have pushed my family further apart for years, this was one of the few things that kept us together.

Kept me in alliance with them and the power bestowed upon our inherited prosperity.

Evangeline is my way out of this madness.

Which is why I’ll embrace, honor, and respect my name.

I’ll make the inner child who was bullied and destroyed for years proud.

Deciding I should speak to give Zander some peace of mind, I attempt to talk, but no words come out. If my silence was loud before, it’s striking after my inability to say what’s thrumming in my mind.

Instead, I slowly shut my mouth, noticing the slight tremble in my bruised purple-bluish lips—the aftermath of the seizures. My whole body is quivering, tiny tremors that remind me of what I just experienced.

Utterly laughable even.

Is that why I try to smile?

This eerie sense of expression spreads along my high cheeks and only contributes to how crazed my eyes look in return. The dilated rings around my pupils aren’t helping one bit, but that’s passed me, for I’m already dealing with the unexpected wave of anger, fighting to be freed inside me.

Anger.

This level of anger is different from anything I’ve experienced. It’s dangerous, a sensation that would leave me unhinged and laughing hysterically without my Kings, but even with their presence, I’m struggling.

Everything is too hard to achieve.

I make a noise meant to emphasize some sort of bickering, but my silence and fascination in staring at my battered image are deemed more important than Aries’ and Zayn’s presence.

The pounding rises against my chest, the boiling rage so strong, I can no longer ignore the temptation from my very grasp.

I don’t stand a chance as the sound of shattered glass reaches my ears.

Pain is imminent, and yet it doesn’t fill the empty void.

It has no effect on stopping the blood pooling from my hands. The sight of dark red only proves I’m still living. My erratic breaths solidify my newfound purpose. This rage ofbrewing scrutiny knows exactly what needs to be done to tame the beast that’s awakened from its slumber.

Domino Leighton… you’ve waged a war I’ll ensure you never win.

“Trying to get blood at three in the morning will be rather fishy, Sweet Precious.”

With the mirror shattered, I can’t see the new entity joining us, but the sound of safeties being clicked off a set of guns proves Ares and Zander weren’t expecting the man who single-handedly saved us.

Saved me…

The way his chuckle echoes through the small locker room. How similar it is to the man who ruined my fucking life.

Similar… yet so uniquely different.

His laughter isn’t your typical deep rumble of joy or mockery. I’ve listened to that tone for so many years, I can differentiate how his laughter is raw with sinister intent. As though he’s planning the demise of anyone who dared try to take what he’s yet to enjoy himself. Leaving me to wonder if I’m truly as precious and sweet as he enjoys labeling me.

The presence behind me leaves me biting my bottom lip, which is already painful to touch. It doesn’t stop my teeth from further sinking into the brutally raw surface.

I need all this pain. This stimulation reminds me that all of this is real, not some fake reality I’m desperate to fall victim to.

To wake up and be relieved it was all dream.

“Pointing guns at the only connection that got you all health checks is rather insulting, if you ask me.” His deep, seductive voice does sinful things to me, even when I can barely react when so much pain is thrumming through me. “Then again, surviving my brother’s unhinged and selfish attempts to wipe you all off the earth, I can comprehend your initial responses.”

“You…” Ares mutters. He doesn’t sound like himself. His voice is vibrating with anger. Similar to the modeling photoshoot when he found out Domino had betrayed him.

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