Page 31 of Promise & Artem

Although it warred with him to give the males his back, he turned and walked away, with his dad and Ian on either side of him.

A knot of tension formed in his gut as the realization that he may never be free of Nero and the fights seemed to be a possibility. What if Nero threatened Promise? The male didn’t know Artem’s last name, where he lived, or anything about him save that he was a minotaur. But that didn’t mean that the male couldn’t find that information.

“I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him,” Axtyn said as they left the B&B.

Artem shook his head. “Me either. I’m really sorry about all of this. I’m sorry that I didn’t listen, and I joined the fighting league and possibly endangered us all.”

His dad put his hand on his shoulder. “It’ll be all right. We’ll get the baro together and set up a security detail to patrol the campground. The most important thing is that our mates are safe, as well as any guests staying with us. He’ll realize you’re well protected and leave you alone, I’m sure of it.”

Artem wasn’t so sure, but he wanted to believe that everything would be okay.

He needed it to be.

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Let’s get the hell out of here,” Ian said.

The trio headed across the parking lot in silence, Artem wondering just how badly he’d fucked up getting involved with Nero.

Nero watched from the dining room as Artem, his father, and another male stood on the front porch. The calm façade he’d presented just moments earlier gave way to the cold and calculating male who didn’t let people fuck him over. He scowled and a low growl rumbled in his chest.

Apparently, Artem hadn’t been told the truth about the fight league: the only way out was in a body bag. If he thought he could leave because he didn’t want to fight anymore, then he was seriously mistaken about the sort of male Nero was.

To Adir he said, “Make sure Artem regrets trying to leave. No one is allowed to leave whenever they feel like it. It’s my league and I’m the alpha. He lives and breathes at my pleasure, and he will keep his commitment to me.”

“How bad do you want him to regret leaving?”

“Bad enough to send a clear message. You can be as creative as you’d like.”

“On it.”

Adir and two others hustled from the dining room. Nero ran his thumb back and forth along the edge of his phone as he waited to see what Adir would do.

He didn’t have to wait long.

As Artem and the two males with him walked across the parking lot, a vehicle with its lights off cruised toward them from behind. It was an electric vehicle and traveling at a low rate of speed so there was no sound from the engine.

A moment later, the tires squealed as the car raced forward and rammed into Artem, sending him flying several feet into the air and landing hard on the ground.

There was a sickening crunch as he hit the concrete and a cruel smile crossed Nero’s face at Adir using his car as a weapon. That would certainly teach Artem a painful lesson.

Artem’s father and the other male shouted in alarm and raced to him. Adir swung the vehicle around and returned to the front parking lot.

Nero walked back to his seat and put his phone on the table. In another hour he’d need to head to the warehouse for the fights. He was pissed that Artem wouldn’t be fighting until he healed, because he’d lose money without his top-billed fighter there. But the money loss was a small price for Nero to pay to ensure that Artem knew his place. Besides, it wasn’t like he’d ordered him killed, just injured.

He was certain no matter how extensive the injuries were, that once the male shifted into his minotaur, he’d heal and should be a little bit wiser in the process.

He suspected the healing process would be painful. He’d been hit by a car, after all. And it would be good for Artem to bein as much pain as possible so he didn’t forget who he worked for.

Nero was not a male to be trifled with and Artem had learned a hard lesson tonight.

He fully expected to see the male at the fights during his next scheduled match, and if he didn’t? Well, then Nero would find someone else to harm in Artem’s life to ensure he knew he was never going to be free. One way or another, the male would keep fighting for Nero, no matter who was harmed in the process. He had no qualms about having the people closest to Artem hurt to keep in line. Hell, he didn’t care if Artem’s family died as long as Artem kept fighting.

Nero’s phone buzzed.

“Yes, Adir?”

“You want us to follow?”

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