Page 86 of Tyrant

“I guess I was the first to really have my hands on you,” he says with a smile. “Before you were handed over to Tyrant. Don’t worry, Serafina, I’m not here to scare you or threaten you. I just wanted you to remember me. We have a history.”

“You’re all fucking insane,” I say. “And one of you is trying to kill me.”

“So you think it was one of us? Got any names in mind? Any evidence?”

“Well, let’s see, you and someone else kidnapped me,” I say. “Tyrant is a fucking psycho. And I’m going to be forced to married Des.”

“Normally guys would just want to fuck a woman, right? But to kill her? You must have some deep dark secrets.”

“And you must be a complete and total idiot. I’m a nobody. I’ve always been that. I always will be. Being Tyrant’sclaimedis the most famous or whatever I’ll be.”

“What about getting attacked? Almost killed? That’s a heck of a story to tell too.”

“You’re right. I’ll be sure to share that on my wedding day to Des. That is, if I’m allowed to speak on my wedding day.”

“Get some more rest,” Demo says.

“Like, that’s it? You guys are all okay with this?”

“With what?”

“This entire life you all live.”

“As opposed to what, Serafina? The life you think you’re going to live? The one society gives you? Don’t be so naive. I know you got hit on the head, but tell me logic still exists. You know everything in life is all bullshit. You’re above it now.”

“Kidnapped. Forced to marry someone after being used by someone else. I’m winning, huh?”

Demo takes a deep breath. “My only job right now is to protect you while Tyrant is away. Your only job is to rest.”

“So what happens if someone comes through that door and wants to hurt me?”

“I’ll kill them.”

The three words are so smooth coming from Demo’s mouth. I swallow hard. I’m still far from used to being in the presence of those who murder so easily. Without guilt. Without remorse at all.

“You’re not afraid of what will happen?”

“To me?” Demo grins. “You really don’t understand much. Nothing can happen to me. Or to Tyrant. Not unless the orders come from far above. That’s all I can say right now. Again, you just need to fucking rest.”

“Oh, is that all?Fucking rest?”

I try to mimic his deep voice but I sound like a chain-smoking frog. Demo laughs at me. The hospital door suddenly opens and I look to my left, eager to see Tyrant. I’m talking heart racing eagerness. I’m talking…

Oh, fuck, I have feelings for Tyrant, don’t I?

I can’t have feelings for Tyrant. This can’t happen. Or the feelings can’t be real. Worse yet, it’s not Tyrant that just entered my hospital room.

It’s my future husband coming to check up on his bride-to-be.

Demo almost jumpsover the bed. I’ve never seen a man that big move that fast before. He’s beyond the other side of my hospital bed, charging right for Des.

“Slow the fuck down, Demo,” Des orders. “She’s my wife.”

“Not fucking yet,” Demo says without hesitation.

He takes a swing at Des but Des ducks down. Demo’s right fist thunders into the wall.

“Big swing for nothing,” Des says. He looks at me. “Oh, you look like hell right now. You better not have any visible scars for the wedding. I’m not marrying some fucking Frankenstein lookalike, you know?”

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