Page 3 of Poisonous Savage

"Queenof the damned, maybe."Adark amusement curled within me, the first stirrings of power that hungered for more than just survival.

"Bestkind of queen."Lucianudged me, her body radiating defiance. "Thekind that rules the shadows and turns them to her will."

"Soundslike a fairytale from hell."

"Everyfairytale needs a wicked witch."Shesmirked. "Andevery witch needs her loyal fucking familiar."

"Guessthat makes you my black cat."Thethought sparked a genuine smile.

"Meow, motherfucker."Herwords were a hardened purr, a promise that she'd claw apart anyone who dared threaten us.

"Meowindeed."Ileaned back, the grass a bed of emerald beneath me, the stars above witnesses to the transformation that awaited me.

Inthat moment of quiet reflection, withLuciaby my side,Ifelt the shackles of my past begin to fracture.Theuncertainty of the future loomed large, but so too did the certainty of our bond—a force that no mafia, no violence, nothing would break.

"Untilthe bitter end," she whispered, her breath warm against my cheek.

"Untilthe end,"Iagreed, and the night closed in, the witness to our promise.

HUNTER

Theengine purred like a beast ready to tear flesh, the sleek black car rolling up toTheBlackHands' shithole of a headquarters.Ikilled the ignition and smiled.Whatan absolute shit hole they had.Doorsslammed behind me, my men forming a solid wall around me.Myboots hit the cracked pavement, each step a goddamn death knell for anyone stupid enough to cross me.

Rundownbricks and piss-stained alleys – this was their kingdom?Pathetic.Theair stank of desperation and decay, a fitting scent for what was about to go down.Istrode through the entrance, the door groaning on its hinges like it knew hell just walked in.Headsturned, eyes wide with fear and respect.Good.Theyshould fuckin' fear me.

"Bringher out,"Icommanded, my voice echoing off the walls, a dark promise to all present.

VittoThorn, that piece of shit, stepped forward, dragging sunshine by the arm.Rosalind, his daughter, looks like a fucking angel in a den of demons.Herheart must've been slamming against her ribs, a trapped bird desperate for freedom.Butshe wasn't flying anywhere.Notanymore.Shewas mine to claim.Mineto destroy.Mineto taint.

"Here'syour damn property,"Vittospat, pushing her towards me.

Icaught her arm, firm but not enough to bruise.Notyet.Sunshinemet darkness as she glared up at me, her defiance a fireI'dsoon douse. "Minenow,"Igrowled, my grip tightening just enough to remind her who held the power.

"Fuckyou," she muttered, her spirit lighting up the night.Itwould burn out;I'dmake sure it did.Didn'tdo much for aDonto have an insubordinate wife.Thelast one learned that lesson and now lives happily with the fuckin' fish.

"Later,"Ishot back, a smirk twisting my lips asIdrank in her fury.Ittasted sweeter than blood, more intoxicating than power.

Vitto'sface was stone, butIcaught the flicker of regret in his dead eyes.Hesold his own flesh and blood to the devil, and he knew it.I'dmake sure he paid for that, one way or another.Hewanted to regain control over the territory he'd laid claim to... and he knewIwouldn't just settle for a truce.No,Rosalindwas a goldmine.CinderCrewwas fast expanding and withGiaroyally fucking up inArizona, her men were leaving in drones to join my ranks.Iwas easily slicing through theBlackHandsand taking over their business.Vittowas floundering and this was his last ditch attempt at some pathetic form of ‘peace.’Itwould be cute if it was soGoddamnsad.Nomind, fresh pussy for me.

"Let'sgo,"Isaid, tugging her away from the shambles of her past life.Tobe honest,Iwas doing her a favor.Herfather was a piece of shit.Shestumbled, butIkept her upright, my hold unbreakable.Out, we walked back into the night, leaving the whispers and stares behind.

WhatIpresume was her friend watched us leave, sorrow etched deep into her features.Damn, she’s beautiful too.Toofucking badIdidn’t include her in the deal.Themansion loomed ahead, a fortress for the damned.AsIledRosalindthrough those massive doors,Ifelt her tremble.Good.Fearmeant she understood.Understandingwas the first step toward respect.

"Welcomehome,"Isaid, my voice loud against the cold silence of the marble halls.

Thiswas her new reality.Andmine?Irelished the control, the dominance.Thiswas the lifeIwas born for, and sweet littleRosalindwas about to learn that the hard way.

Icaught her gaze, dark eyes defiant as they clashed with mine.Nocowering, no tears.TheThorngirl had a spine, standing tall like she could stare down the devil himself.

"Yourold life's dead,"Igrowled, the words slicing through the tense air between us. "We'retying a bloody knot, you and me.It'sa power play—our bloodlines locked tight to muzzle those fuckers snapping at my heels."

Shebristled, that fiery spirit burning bright as daybreak.Butthis wasn't nature's playground, no place for beauty unless you counted the blood that splattered as beautiful.Thiswas my world, one where every shadow dripped with danger; every corner hid a body.

"Getused to it,"Itold her, my tone leaving no room for argument. "Youand me, we're gonna rule this shithole of a state.You'lllearn to love the darkness, or you'll break beneath it."

Iwatched her rage boil over, the spitfire in her dark eyes.Shewas a hurricane, wild and untamed, but she stood in the eye of my storm.Oh, sweetJesus, was she ever going to be fun to break.

"Fuckyour rules, and fuck your lies," she spat out, hands clenched into fists like she could hit me and make this all go away. "I'mnobody's fucking property, not yours or anyone else's."

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