Page 121 of Ruling Scar
This was never about me. It was all because he wanted Elijah.
“What do you want with him?” Oh God. I’m being used as bait.
Leopold shrugs at my question. “At first the game demanded I show him, he’s not untouchable. That I could invade him, like he invaded me. I would get under his skin so badly that he’d never walk a step without my touch.”
What the fuck?
“We’re not all Zimins but that doesn’t mean we aren’t worthy. That our darkest sins aren’t worthy of praise. Having you by my side would be a coupe. He’s wanted you all this time, but I would take you to my bed.”
He reaches a hand out and I try to sway out of his touch. His fingers brush the scar on my left cheek, disgust rippling over my skin.
“He marked you,” Leopold says, running a gentle finger across my scar again. I curl in on myself. “Everybody could see it. He hoarded you and lurked in the shadows to make sure no other man could touch you. Naturally, since I’d already decided I’d own Elijah one day, I couldn’t help but wonder why he paid such close attention to you even when out of the country and you were at college.”
This time when he touches my scar, his fingernail scrapes against my skin. “I asked myself, what does Leonora have that I don’t?”
Okay. So he not only wants to destroy Elijah but also fuck him.
Turns out I can’t even get my own stalker to like me.
His fingers drag down my cheek, curling around my neck. “Then you ran to him. You avoided him all this time and you ran straight toward him. I couldn’t stand you, Leonora. You didn’t have to love me. I wasn’t asking for that. But you weren’t supposed to end up in his bed. You were supposed to end up in mine.”
Punctuating each word, his fingers squeeze tighter. I try to rock back, but that only causes him to hold on tighter and I flinch, choking as my lungs struggle.
“That’s when I knew the game changed. You became useful again, a way to keep him close to me.”
Leopold’s rambling doesn’t make sense. He either loves or hates Elijah. The only thing I know for sure is he wants to cause him harm.
“I will kill him,” he promises, leaning down. “And you’ll watch.”
The chair rocks back. For a split second, I worry I’ll fall and hit my head before the chair legs steady out.
He paces in a small circle, enjoying his climactic finish. “I would’ve married you after, Leonora. But I don’t associate with used cunts like yours.”
“That’s odd.”
Every hair on the back of my neck freezes on end.
Elijah cocks a gun right at Leopold’s head. “Considering you’re the biggest used cunt this city’s ever seen.”
Leopold smiles, his eyes gleaming. He steps toward my chair, reaching out for my shoulder.
“Do not touch what’s mine,” Elijah warns.
“I promise you—”Roma appears, gun drawn—“it’s never worth fucking around with my brother’s things.”
Leopold’s laugh is deep and happy. “Thing?” His hand grazes across my shoulders, my skin itching the entire time. “Not love of your life? Not object of affection?”
Elijah smirks. “Are you sad I never wanted to fuck you?”
Roma does a double-take between the pair. “Wait is that what’s going on here?”
Elijah’s smirk grows. His body is completely still like a cat waiting to pounce. “Leopold Stuart. I never heard of you until you came after the love of my life. But I did my research. Always trying to rub elbows with the right people for the wrong reasons. That’s not a sentiment I’m necessarily against, but no. . . If you’d grown the courage to ask me for a fuck, I’d have spit on your grave.”
Could Elijah break Leopold’s heart after I’m untied?
Roma agrees. “That’s a bit harsh.” He frowns. “And a little homophobic.”
Elijah defends his behavior. “Don’t make this into a bigger fuss than it needs to be. I don’t fuck men who plot my demise. It’s never wise to mix business and pleasure.”
