Page 37 of Monster: King of Nevada

“You know what Blake did to me.” It’s not a question; they all do by now. “I shouldn’t be so content. Right?”

He’s silent for a while; I’m afraid he won’t answer me. “You should be happy, Ella.” His tone is quiet but no less impactful. “You survived what so many…too many women don’t. You got out before he crushed your soul. You’re seeing beauty in the things around you, and you’re living in spite of what he did to you.”

I wish it were so simple to believe him. To know that he’s right and accept that it’s okay for me to love and be loved by a man who, in all likelihood, is ten times more dangerous than Blake could ever dream of being.

22

THEIAS

The gym’s dim lights buzz with adrenaline as Caleb and I step out of the ring. The air is thick with the scent of sweat and leather from the gloves wrapped around our hands. Bodies glisten with a mixture of perspiration and exhaustion, and Oliver sits astounded as we quietly unwrap our hands.

Gripping a water bottle, I chug the entire contents until it’s gone, tossing the bottle in the trash before reaching for another and sailing it towards Caleb’s head.

“What the fuck?” He ducks just in time and scowls my way.

“Not my fault you can’t catch.” Oliver snickers at our bickering as he hands a fresh water to Caleb. “What’d you think, kid?”

“Wicked.” He grins as he begins cleaning up our crap.

I told him if he wanted to use the gym and learn the ropes, he’d need to carry his weight around here. He’s spent the past couple of hours watching us and tidying up. Since we’re the only ones here today, he didn’t have much to do.

“Good, you start next week.” His jaw drops, but his eyes beam with excitement.

“Sweet, I’ll be ready!” He runs off to the supply closet to grab a broom.

“You’re going to have your hands full with him,” I tell Caleb.

“I like a new challenge.”

Caleb saunters off to the dressing rooms.

The first thing I planned for the gym renovations was ensuring adequate gym and locker rooms. It’s a pride and joy for me. The membership is expensive and exclusive. Given the Las Vegas climate, my clientele has always been wealthy.

Today was the last day of training before tomorrow’s fight. I’m more than ready to beat the shit out of Tank and end his life. I could grant him mercy should he grovel for it, but I doubt he’s got that kind of humility in him.

“Caleb.” He looks up from his phone as he enters the gym again. “When we get back to the house, take the kid for dinner, show him around town a bit.”

“Sure thing, boss.” His sly grin speaks volumes.

Ella is waiting for me, and I haven’t been able to touch her properly in a week. I’m dying to feel her warmth wrapped around my cock while moaning my name. She’s been subtly showing off her bratty side, as well, and my hand itches to make her ass red.

Slippinginto our room with sweat dried to my body, my dick hard as a rock, I’m sort of surprised to find Ella passed out in bed.

Her hair is piled messily up on her head, an open book on the bed beside her, and she has never appeared more innocent or appealing to me. Looking over the new stack of books on the dresser, I pick a few up and open one randomly.

Brow raised, questions burn to be asked. The guy, or hero as she’s corrected me, is railing his woman from behind, handprints on her ass and a hand around her throat, as he whispers filthy words in her ear.

Damn.

I wonder what else she likes to read because that is my kind of fucking. I guess I don’t have to wonder or worry when I get a little…enthusiastic with her. In fact, I think her reading material might be better than porn. It revs her bodyandher mind.

Grabbing the book she was reading from beside her, I glance at the page she left off on. The man is declaring his love to the woman as he makes love to her. He’s sweet, whereas the other one is more dominant. I already know Ella, and I know she likes both at the same time. Tonight, however, I don’t have it in me to treat her like the delicate flower she is. Tonight, I need dirty and rough.

Placing the book on the table that she hit her head on last week, I stand and pull the covers back, hissing out a shocked breath while my eyes linger on the mark on her thigh. This woman might seem all innocent and sweet, but she can sucker punch a man like no one else.

She’s completely naked; one leg is bent up at her knee while the other is out straight, giving me a glimpse of her creamy pussy. That’s not what stole my breath, though. It’s what she wrote on her upper thigh that has me in a daze.

Theias’ Good Girl.

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