Page 33 of Lords of Ruin: Owned

“Oh I know,” he purrs. “I saw you this morning in the parking lot, you’re fucking them.”

I yank my wrist from his grasp, taking a step back as the color drains from my face. A surge of panic courses through me, my mind racing to find a way out.

“You’re mistaken, Jasper,” I manage to say, though my voice comes out weaker than I would have liked. “You shouldn’t make assumptions.”

His eyes narrow, the corners of his lips curling into a predatory grin. “Oh, I don’t think I am. You’ve been playing all innocent, but we both know that you’re just a fucking slut.”

“Excuse me,” I shoot back, trying to sound defiant despite the tremor in my voice.

“What I don’t get, is why them?” he murmurs, his hand brushing my damp hair from my shoulder. “I see the way you blush. You like me, but you give it up to them.”

“What I do with my body is none of your business.” I growl.

“You were supposed to be mine, Willow, but I can’t have a whore be the mother of my children.”

I glare at him, my lip curling in return. “You have no right to decide that, Jasper. We haven’t even exchanged numbers, how the hell would I be the mother of your children when you barely know me?”

His face twists into a sneer as he leans in closer, forcing me to be trapped against the lockers and him. “Don't be foolish, Willow. You know what’s between us, what we could have been if you weren’t giving it up for any and everyone.”

How fucking dare he!Fury surges through me, causing my blood to boil in my chest. I lash out and spit in his face, the liquid sizzling against his skin. He flinches away, using the back of his hand to wipe off the spittle from his cheek.

“You’re going to fucking regret that.”

Jasper’s hand curls in my hair, yanking me so painfully, that I tumble over.

“Jasper, stop!” My voice cracks, but he doesn’t let go, his grip tightening as he glares down at me with wild eyes. Panic wells up in my chest, my hands flying up to claw at his wrist, but it’s like clawing my way through a wall.

“You think you can humiliate me and prance your ass around like it’s nothing?” Jasper growls, his voice low and venomous.

My heart pounds in my ears as the echo of his words drowns out the distant sound of running water. The door to the locker room slams open, and before I can fully process what’s happening, Jasper is ripped away from me.

Vincent moves with the force of a hurricane, his fist connecting with Jasper’s jaw with a sickeningcrackthat echoes through the empty locker room. Jasper reels but barely has time to recover before Vincent slams him against the lockers, the metal groaning under the impact.

“Youdaretouch her?” Vincent growls, his voice low and guttural, like a beast unleashed. His hand clamps onto Jasper’s collar, yanking him forward only to drive him back into the unforgiving metal again. The sound of Jasper’s head hitting the locker makes my stomach churn, but Vincent doesn’t stop.

Jasper struggles, his fists flying wildly, but Vincent deflects them with terrifying precision. Vincent’s fist collides with Jasper’s face again, the impact sending blood splattering across the pale tiles. The sharp metallic scent fills the air, mingling with the distant hiss of the showers.

“Vincent, stop!” I scream, my voice raw with panic, but it’s like shouting into a storm. His fists fly in a relentless rhythm, each one landing with a sickening thud that shakes Jasper’s body.

Jasper swings desperately, managing to clip Vincent’s side, but it’s like striking a mountain. Vincent snarls, his teeth bared as he grabs Jasper by the hair and slams his head back against the locker.

“You fuckingbreathenear her again, and I’ll bury you,” Vincent hisses, his voice dripping with venom.

“Vincent!” I yell again, rushing forward. This time, I grab his arm, yanking with all my strength. “Stop it, please! You’re going to kill him!”

Vincent freezes mid-swing, his chest heaving as he slowly turns to look at me. His blue eyes are wild, molten fury simmering just beneath the surface. For a moment, I think he might ignore me, but then he releases Jasper’s bloodied shirt, letting him collapse to the floor in a groaning heap.

Before I can catch my breath, Vincent’s hand shoots out, gripping my neck. He doesn’t squeeze, but the possessive strength in his hold sends a shiver down my spine. He presses me against the lockers, his body crowding mine as his thumb brushes the rapid pulse at my throat.

“You’re ours, Willow,” he growls, his voice dark and dangerous, vibrating with raw intensity. “Say it.”

My heart races, my chest heaving as I meet his gaze. His eyes burn with something primal, something that leaves me trembling. “I... I’m yours,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the thunder of my pulse.

Vincent’s lips curl into a satisfied smirk, his thumb brushing against the edge of my jaw. “Good girl.”

Vincent releases me with a deliberate slowness, his fingers trailing from my neck like a whisper of possession, leaving a burning heat in their wake. My knees threaten to give out, but I manage to stay upright, clutching the cold metal of the lockers for support. My breath comes in shallow gasps, my pulse pounding in my ears as I watch him turn back to Jasper.

Without another word, Vincent grabs Jasper by the back of his bloodied shirt, dragging him across the slick tile floor like he’snothing more than a discarded rag. Jasper groans in protest, his words slurred and weak, but Vincent doesn’t spare him a glance. His focus is unyielding, his movements cold and efficient as he hauls Jasper toward the exit.

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