Page 231 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

For even thinking they could hurt her, I’d crush their bodies, breaking every bone before slicing them apart and making them bleed out slowly. I’d revel in their pain and watch on happily as they choke on their own blood.

She isours. Ours to protect. Ours to love and make happy, and if anyone stands in her way of that… they will pay dearly.

“It doesn’t matter now. I’m here with you all, and I don’t plan on ever leaving.” She gives me one of her soft smiles, and even if it melts my cold, dark heart, I still want to find my new prey and destroy them.

“They don’t get a pass because you have a kind heart.”

She shakes her head, still looking at me with nothing but patience and love. “My heart is far from kind—”

“You don’t see what we see. You don’t see the light you carry with you. But we do, and if we have to spend every day for the rest of our lives making sure you see it too, we will.”

She melts under my gaze; her smile reaching her alluring green eyes.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

I lean in, kissing her forehead, and inhale her scent to carry it with me. Pulling back, I smile down at her.

“No need to thank me, Siren, I’d strike the world down to make you smile. Now pick something youwantto wear, and if you can’t find it here, say the word and we’ll get you whatever you need.”

Her soft laugh slightly soothes the raging beast inside me.

“I think I’ll stick with this one. I just need to find some shoes.” She gives me a soft smile before heading into the closet.

I leave her to it, turning and making my way down the hall to my room. I dial one of the contacts we use to find those who might not want to be found.

He picks up on the first ring.

“What can I do for you, Alpha?” Benjamin, our resident tech guy and a crow shifter, asks.

“I need a list of the guards King used over the last six years. Have it to me in the next hour.”

He clears his throat, hesitating. “It might take longer than—”

“Within the hour.” My voice turns sharp. He knows better than to try to tell me no.

“Yes, sir.”

I hang up and search for what I need. Once we’re back from the club, I’ll slip out and start on the list.

I pull out my new long black daggers, inspecting them. The light glinting off the sharp edges brings a smile to my face as I imagine all the ways I’m going to break them in.

No one hurts my mate and gets away with it. It’s time to go hunting.

* * *

KIARRA

Finishingoff my hair and make-up, I glance at the long length of mirror the guys had delivered for me earlier today. How they knew my size was beyond me, but anything I’ve tried on so far it fits like a glove.

I tried to tell them again that they didn’t need to get me all this stuff, but they just glare at me and tell me I deserve to be spoiled.

I didn’t have the heart to tell them I don’t want to be spoiled, especially when their eyes light up any time they have something new to give me.

Glancing back at the mirror, I twist and turn, checking to see how see-through the fabric might be.

The silver dress is long, reaching just below my knees with crisscross straps at the back and thin single shoulder straps in the front. The light material molds to my body like a second skin, accentuating each and every curve.

Satisfied that I’m not showing anything I don’t want to, I pick up the expensive curling iron and finish styling my hair into thick, loose waves. Once that’s done, I lightly brush through it, leaving it down.

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