Page 40 of King of Violence

Fuck, fuck. It’s too much—the fullness in my ass, the slight dizziness from the lack of air, and Julian.

I release a loud groan as I come all over the shower wall.

Julian chuckles darkly in my ear. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

JULIAN

Felix doesn’t know it, but I’m on fucking cloud nine. I don’t remember the last time I felt like this, like I won something far more valuable than any fight. The memory of him—his touch, the way he kissed me like he was desperate to hold on—burns bright in my mind. He let me share a part of my world with him, the part most people would run from. But not Felix. He stayed. He saw me, and he didn’t run.

After we cleaned ourselves up, Felix acted all shy. It was fucking adorable. I wanted to take him home and do it all over again, but I knew that would be too much for him to handle in one night. I took him home and kissed him at the door like the gentleman I am.

I don’t kiss and tell, but word gets around fast. It always does. The fighting ring was packed that night, and people talk. My phone’s been buzzing all morning with questions, thinly veiled threats, and rumors I don’t have time for. Someone saw me with Felix, and now the wrong ears have heard about it.

By midday, it’s not just whispers anymore. The Greco family name is dragged into it. They think Felix is something more than what he is—something more dangerous. I should have knownthis would happen, but I was too caught up in the moment to care.

I need to string Ricky up by his toes, because now Elijah is chewing me out.

“Elijah, I don’t have time for this,” I snap as I slam my locker door shut.

“You’d better make time.” His voice is calm, but there’s a weight to it that makes me pause. When I turn, he’s leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his sharp eyes cutting through me like a blade.

“What now?” I ask, trying to sound indifferent.

Elijah pushes off the wall and steps closer, his voice low. “Word’s out about the guy you brought to the fight the other night.”

My stomach tightens, but I keep my face neutral. “So what?”

“So what?” he repeats, his tone mocking. “Are you serious? You know how this works, Julian. People talk, and not just our people. It won’t take long for the rumors to hit the wrong ears.”

I fold my arms and force myself to stand my ground. “It’s not like he’s a threat.”

Elijah laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “Doesn’t matter. All it takes is one idiot thinking he can use Felix against you, or worse, the family. You know how fast that can spiral.”

“Felix isn’t part of this,” I say firmly.

“Doesn’t matter what you think,” Elijah shoots back, his voice hardening. “What matters is perception. And right now, people are asking questions about who he is, why you brought him there, and whether you’re losing your edge.”

I clench my fists, the weight of his words sinking in. He’s right, and I hate it.

Elijah softens slightly, his tone shifting. “Look, I’m not here to lecture you. But you’re walking a fine line, Julian. If you wantto keep him safe, you need to make sure he stays out of sight. And you need to start being smarter about where you take him.”

I meet his gaze, my jaw tight. “I hear you.”

“Good.” He claps a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it briefly. “Because if I heard about it, so will the others. And they won’t be as forgiving.”

I nod. “I’ll handle it.”

As he walks away, I lean against the lockers, my head spinning. I knew bringing Felix to the fight was risky, but hearing Elijah spell it out makes it real in a way I wasn’t ready for.

???

The room is dark and reeks of sweat, stale beer, and cheap cologne. My crew stands in a loose circle around Ricky, who’s kneeling in the middle of the concrete floor. His head is down, his shoulders trembling like a cornered rat.

“Ricky,” I say, my voice calm but carrying enough weight to make the air seem heavier. “You know why we’re here, right?”

He flinches, but nods. “Y-yeah, boss. I-I didn’t mean nothin’ by it.”

I step forward, the sound of my boots echoing in the small space. “Didn’t mean anything?” I crouch to his level, tilting my head as I look at him. “So what was it, then? You were bored? Felt like running your mouth about things that don’t concern you?”

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