Page 105 of Paper Thin Love

Jared’s lungs barely inhale and exhale; he shows no sign of being awake, no fear that his death is coming. Dash kicks Jared’s side. It’s not harsh or cruel, more like you’d kick a dead body to see if life still clings to it.

“Walk away. Tell them you’re done.” I plead as tears blur my eyes.“He can walk away.”

“Nothing is so simple, Mila,” Dante whispers close to my ear, ensuring I hear.“The fights usually end in death for a reason.”

“What reason is that?” I cry in anger.

“Survival.”

At first, Jared’s body takes it, recoiling as a limp body should. No tension is freed from Dash’s shoulders; instead, more builds as he steps closer and straddles Jared’s unmoving body. Hesitantly, Dash bends down, hands reaching out until they grasp Jared’s neck.

A pained cry parts from my lips. An apology to Jared for his fate and a twisted thank you that his death allows Dash to live.

This is the very moment Jared dies, and when my broken prince forever disappears into the darkness of his mind. This is when Dash King emerges and announces to the world that he’s ready to claim his crown.

Chapter 42

Dash

“I should have seen it coming,” says every future dead man.

My next heartbeat pounds through me with a vicious fury. Lucky for me, I’m not dead, so I get another chance.

Jared. Fucking Jared! He steps out into the fighting pit with a smart-ass smirk I want to carve slowly off his face.

Lying fucking Jared is my opponent! The ballet dancer.

“Surprise.” Jared purrs.“Do you know your father arranged your marriage to Mila when you were only six years old?” He lets out a whistle. “My dad told me one evening. I haven’t told anyone that, not evenhim.” He sneers.

How does he know that? Is it true?

And who is he referring to?

“And I thought my dad was fucked up.” Jared chuckles.“That gave me a lot of time to get exactly where I needed to be.” He steps closer, the smile vanishing from his face in a chilling manner. I want to rush him, but I hold my ground.“Soon, I’m going to have everything I want. Your future.” He tilts his head, looking at me as if I’m a dead creature.

“You’re not actually a ballet dancer.” I try to sound more annoyed and not furious.

“Oh, I am.” He flexes his fingers.“I mean, I had to become one in order to get close to Mila, to get into this school, to taste what was promised toyou. You see, it plagued me. How do I become someone important enough to get close to you? Then I realized I had to remain a nobody. Fly under the radar and get close to Mila. She would get me closer to you, eventually. And look, she did.”

“So I played my part, did everything that was asked of me.” Jared nods.“I set my sights on Mila. She’s such a pretty thing to look at. I’ve spent years watching her, dancing with her. I know her every move, Dash. I know her better than you ever will. She’s mine.”

“A contract says otherwise.” I gloat, maintaining this façade of slight annoyance so he doesn’t see how much his words are truly affecting me.

“Your father killed my father!” Jared roars, losing his patience. His tongue swipes over his salivating teeth.

The crowd breaks out in a hushed whisper. At least they can’t hear our every word. I don’t want the dirty details getting back to Mila. I don't want her to live a life fearing everyone is a monster, even if it’s true. Mila can't handle that shade of gray, so I’m determined to shield it from her.

“He’s killed many fathers. Most deserve it.” I reply coldly.

Jared’s jaw twitches.

I have the feeling Jared knows his dad fucked up, but he’s dead set on revenge.

“So what did your loser father do to provoke mine?”

“Nothing!”

I scoff, treating Jared like an idiot.“Marcus King doesn’t waste time on nothing.”

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