Page 10 of God of War

"Drowning your sorrows, Leyva?" a familiar voice drawls from behind me.

I tense and turn, coming face to face with Adrian Lombardi. He's leaning against the bar, an arrogant smirk playing on his lips.

"Lombardi," I mutter, my tone cold. "I didn't know they let trash into these events."

His jade eyes flash with anger, but his smile doesn't budge. "Careful, Leyva. You don't want to start something you can't finish with all these people watching."

I laugh, a harsh, humorless sound, as I set my empty glass on the bar. Has everyone forgotten who the fuck I am? Or are they all really this fucking eager for a show?

"I always finish what I start, Lombardi. Remember that," I mutter, turning to leave.

His next comment stops me in my tracks before I even make it two steps.

"Sullivan's daughter is a pretty little thing, isn't she?"

I go still, rage simmering through my veins. "Watch your fucking mouth."

He chuckles, a mocking smirk curving his lips up at the corners. "Did I hit a nerve, Leyva? Interesting. Maybe I will ask her to dance, see what it is about her that has you so riled up."

Before he can even blink, I have him by the throat, slamming him up against the bar. Stools get knocked aside, landing upside down. A glass bottle shatters, sending scotch and glass raining down around us.

The room goes silent, everyone turning to stare.

"Listen to me carefully," I say, my voice deadly calm. "If you so much as look in her fucking direction, they won't ever find your fucking body. Do you understand me?"

Lombardi just smirks, even as his face turns a satisfying shade of purple.

I hold him for a moment longer before I release him, stepping back. "You're lucky there are witnesses, you prick."

"Always a pleasure taunting you, Leyva," he says, laughing hoarsely.

I smile, cold and vicious. "Oh, this is the last time you do it. Trust me on that,pendejo."

I turn and stalk out of the ballroom, leaving him standing there. The crowd parts before me again, completely silent as I pass through. But as soon as I do, whispers follow in my wake.

Fuck it, though, right? They wanted fuckingDios de la Guerrato put on a show, so let them talk. Now, they know what happens when someone threatens what belongs to me.

And Brynna is mine, even if she doesn't know it yet. I will burn this city to ash and ruin before I let anyone take her from me.

Chapter Four

Brynna

"Where the fuck have you been?" Niall clamps a hand down on my arm as soon as I step back inside the ballroom, his grip like iron. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

"I stepped out for some air," I mutter, tugging discreetly against his hold as people glance in our direction. It's not technically a lie. "Is that a crime?"

His dark scowl tells me that, apparently, it is a crime. I'm supposed to be a good little girl and do as I'm told. Except…I don't feel like playing that role tonight. I haven't felt like playing it in years. He and my father have yet to notice.

"What did he want?" Niall demands.

"To piss you off?" I shrug, my heart hammering against my ribcage as I try to wriggle my way out of telling him the truth. "Judging by the look on your face, I'd say it worked, wouldn't you?"

Niall's dark glower grows even darker. Impressive, honestly.

"Can you let go of my arm now, or do you plan to drag me through the gala like a recalcitrant child? Everyone is already."

I'm not kidding about that. Everyone in the general vicinity is focused on us, leaning in as if trying to hear what we're discussing. Because of Naz? Do I even need to ask? Of course it's because of Naz.

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