Page 19 of Ruthless Kings of Obsession

It makes goosebumps crawl down my skin, while half of me has no clue who this individual on the other end of the phone is. He’s clearly important if Domino is talking to him while his life is going to shits in real-time, but what’s my recognition have to do with this individual.

What connection does he have to me that I can’t recall?

"Isn't that what you are?" the voice taunts. "Poor Flex. Such a tragic end, burning alive like that. Tell me, did you watch the live feed with everyone else?"

I fight to keep my breathing steady as the image of Flex's body going up in flames flashes through my mind.

The way the fire consumed him while thousands watched in horror.

My revenge...but at what cost?

"I didn't... that wasn't..." Domino's footsteps stop abruptly and I dare to assume he’s looking at my way menacingly. I can just feel the intensity of his gaze from here, despite my lack of sight.How he must wish to strangle me despite my feigned unconsciousness. "Just tell me you can erase it. All of it. I don't care how much it costs."

I can only wonder how the hell is he going to erase this.

There are probably millions of people downloading this by the second. Saving it just in case it gets wiped from the internet. Even if he finds a way to remove as many copies of the digital footprint from the world, it won’t simply “disappear”.

That’s not how life works.

Not in this world of digital chaos.

"Money?" The masked voice sounds amused. "Oh, my naive boy. Some debts require far more than mere currency to settle."

The sound of furious typing fills the air as Domino presumably scrolls through more social media. His breathing grows more erratic with each passing second.

"NHL scouts are retracting their offers," he reads aloud, voice trembling. "University board calling for immediate expulsion... What the fuck? They can't do this! I OWN that fucking school!"

They work fast when it comes to ensuring their names aren’t run through the rigger.

That’s why scandals on any level of scrutiny can be the end of one’s entire life.

Their career, relationships, and future.

"Correction," the voice cuts in. "Your father owns it. And after tonight's display, I wonder how long he'll continue acknowledging you as his heir." The voice chuckles and dares to add, “Oh right. You’re not the first in line in that department either, huh?”

A crash — something being thrown against a wall — echoes around us.

Glass shattering. Grunting and screaming. I already catch the scent of blood. Metallic stench that will only grow stronger by the second.

"I'll fucking kill her," Domino snarls. I feel his presence looming over me, his breath hot against my face. "This is all your fault, you manipulative bitch. Always trying to ruin me. Ever since we were kids."

Since we were kids...

It’s all but amusing because wasn’t his mission to ruin me.

To destroy my life for being a pathetic accomplice in his family life.

If only I hadn’t been brought into the Leighton’s clutches.

If only I was allowed to stay away and enjoy life as the nerdy girl who wore boyish clothes and just wanted to study in peace.

If only he’d given up his obsession with his Iva. The pigtail, glasses-wearing tomboy who had to enjoy watching cry and whimper for his mercy any chance he got.

All he had to do was stay away.

“If he’d left us alone, he wouldn’t be experiencing all this vengeful mayhem. But no. He was far too obsessed with ruining our lives. That’s why it’s our time to shine. Our time to destroy what he’s ‘worked’ so diligently to build.”

Giggling voices bounce against the walls of my subconscious, and I have to fight this nagging urge to giggle manically, despite the obvious fact I’m unconscious.

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