Page 135 of Vile Boys

“Wait… Ares was there when you trained?”

“I didn’t mind. I got used to it eventually.”

“Wasn’t it … hard to grow up with him?”

I snort. “Are you implying he’s been rough on me?”

Her eyes widen. “Oh no, I just meant that—”

I chuckle. “Relax. I’m only trying to poke the bear.”

“Oh …” She breathes a sigh of relief … as though she was worried there for a second that I might be insulted, meaning she cares about my feelings.

Interesting.

I sit beside her, but the second I do, she inches away, retreating into herself as though she’s unsure what to think of me. As if my size alone and the strong hand that grips the back of the bench makes her fear me.

So I lean in and softly place the rose behind her ear, whispering, “You’d rather die than fear Ares, yet you offer it to me freely. Why?”

She licks her lips and averts her eyes. “I …”

I gently catch her chin between my fingers and make her look at me. “You promised to tell me a truth about you too.”

“I’m not scared of you. I’m scared of myself.”

I frown. “Because of me?”

“Because of what you’re teaching me.”

Oh …

I’d almost hoped it was because of something else.

Her eyes darken. “Because I don’t want to become as cruel as they are.”

“You? Cruel?”

“You think I can’t be?” A hint of mystery tugs at her lips, and my God, does it harden my cock.

“You’re learning how to defend yourself,” I say.

She fishes her knife out of her pocket and stares at the blade. “And how to kill.”

My whole body almost erupts into goose bumps just at the thought of her slicing her way through her enemies. Good God, I was right. She does have a violent streak to her.

“What?” She scoffs. “You don’t think I could kill?”

“Oh no, that’s not it …” I muse, tilting my head so I can look at her. “I’d pretty much sell my soul to see you kill.”

Her eyes find mine in the dark, glimmering with a burning curiosity that makes it so hard to look away.

Lord, I know those two fucks want her, but I could never deny her if she ever gave me a chance.

Slowly, she leans in and gives me the softest peck on my cheek, and I swear I’ve never cherished anything more.

“Thank you,” she mutters. “For helping me.”

The way she looks up at me, with that gaze of adoration …

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