Page 91 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

I hold my tongue.

“That’s what I thought,” Matteo concludes.

“My slack in intuitive decision-making and research still doesn’t prove I can’t protect V,” I stress. The idea of not being her bodyguard gives me an eerie feeling, as though I’m losing my entire personality.My entire purpose in her life.“I’ve protected her for many years.”

“Yet she was bullied while you worked with her bully’s father in protecting her from outside forces and not the ones inside what she wished to label as a ‘safe’ space.”

“What is this about, Matteo?”What’s this really about?

“You’re underestimating Eva’s value in this world, and it’s beginning to piss me off,” Matteo says in annoyance. “For the woman who will soon be my wife, that bugs me. A lot.”

“It’s a marriage of convenience,” I feel the need to remind him. “If you do marry on paper, it doesn’t mean anything is changing.”

His low chuckle sends goosebumps through me. My head darts to him, noticing how the barrel of his metallic-red gun is now pressed to the front of my head.

“If you believe I’m only marrying Eva out of convenience, then you’re truly delusional,” he proudly declares. “And let me be the first to tell you here and now. Everything will change if I put a ring on Eva’s finger, and you know what?” He leans in then, giving me a sinister smile.

“She’ll enjoy the comfortability of actually feeling safe by my side than being protected by your lack of services.”

Lack…

I feel the lump that grows in my throat, leaving me no choice but to narrow my eyes in hopes I look just as threatening as he does at this moment.

Minus the gun to my head.

“I served in the most lethal army in Russia for a year. That’s all the time you need to survive their heinous torment to make you into a perfect assassin. I haven’t tapped into such practicesbecause I’ve handled every challenge that has shown up on my radar. You questioning my services is an insult I humbly take, but I can multitask just fine, Matteo.”

“Sir Matteo outside of the school property,Warren.” He corrects while emphasizing my ‘bodyguard identity.’

Which means…

“You hired me,” I accuse.Why am I never aware of who hires me for my services? Oh right. I like anonymous interactions and no-bullshit transactions.

“The best way to have control of your surroundings is by being the ruler of the chess board, don’t you think? That’s how grandmasters maintain their prestigious title. Having a mastery in domination.”

I hate how he’s right.

Always speaking fucking facts.

“I did,” he confirms. “And I originally had the intention of allowing you the privilege of having some time off while you committed to your duties as a Ruthless King during school hours, but you’ve deemed to offer an intriguing challenge for yourself. Confident of your abilities to protect Eva and serve as a Ruthless King.”

He smiles then, one that makes his eyes glimmer in delight.

It’s frightening when we’re the only ones in this garden.

He can kill me with the pull of the trigger, and truthfully, no one would know.

He’d ensure it.

“Why would I possibly steal such glory from you?”

Fuck…

“Still confident?” he offers me a chance to bail out of my own demise.

I’m too stubborn to refuse.

“Confident and ready to do both duties,” I reassure him.

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