Page 38 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

“Kiarra—” Kai starts but I don’t want to hear anymore. I just wanted them to leave.

“Why don’t you all just stay the fuck away from me?!”

“Kiarra—”

“After all, I’m just a spoiled fucking princess!” I throw Axel back one of his sneers.

My whole body is trembling with frustration as I turn around, ready to hightail it out of there.

I smack into a hard body making me wince.

Jax steadies me as I rub my head, frowning up at him. He’s about to lay into me, I can see it in his eyes, but whatever he sees makes him hesitate. Narrowing his eyes on the guys behind me, he glances back down at me, his own gaze losing some of its irritation as they soften on me.

“You okay?”

Luka appears beside him with a tray of drinks, his easy-going smile dropping when he sees us and the tense atmosphere around us. “What happened?”

I shake my head, not wanting to deal with any of this. “I’m outta here.”

“What the fuck?”

“Axel is being a dick.” Rion narrows a sharp look at Axel, his now golden eyes pulsing. Axel nods, releasing a harsh breath, rubbing a hand behind his neck.

“What’s fucking new? Ignore him. Here, take a drink.” Jax hands me a cocktail, similar to the one I was drinking. He sends me a flirty wink, the soft twinkle firmly back in place.

I hesitate before taking the drink. “Thought you were mad at me? Or is this shit poisoned?” I knock it back, not caring either way. It’s not like it could kill me.

Not bad. The drink is fruity with a slight bitter taste.

He rolls his eyes at me thinking I’m being dramatic but it’s not the first time I was poisoned and won’t be the last, not while I’m still in King’s Tower.

Luka passes out drinks to the other guys. I avoid looking at them, feeling weak for my outburst.

Jax shrugs, unaware of my sombre thoughts. “I’ve decided, it doesn’t matter.”

My heart drops at his words. I take a larger gulp of the drink, hoping to ease my churning stomach.

Why should it matter? After all, he’s right. I’m a fucking mess. They should stay far away from me.

I was a walking, talking fucking contradiction. I couldn’t have them and want to leave them at the same time.

This was for the best, for us all…

I look out onto the dance floor, but he grabs my chin, turning it back to him. The fierce look in his eyes makes me pause.

“It doesn’t matter what you think, I’m going nowhere.”

No words form at his promise. I want him, want them all. But those dreams withered up the day King took me and no matter how hard I try or how much I want it, they’re notmyguys anymore.

Jax’s eyes narrow as if knowing where my thoughts have gone.

“Don’t bother running. You’re mine, whether you like it or not.”

A throat clears loudly behind him. He smirks looking back at Luka before turning back to me.

“Ours. You’reours.”

Just as I’m about to reply, Kane catches my eye, tilting his head to the corner of the room. I follow his direction and spot a slim, sketchy looking guy. His purple eyes bouncing around the room.

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