Page 3 of Goddess of Mayhem

“Jesus.” Lion runs a hand down his face, and I giggle when his body tenses as Akila walks into the kitchen. He sends me a warning glance, and I just shrug in response, refocusing my attention on buttering my toast.

“It’s funny to see you like this,” Marco says to Lion, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Two women having you by the balls.”

Akila settles next to Lion, and I notice that her long, white hair is pulled into a messy bun this morning. They’re both leaning against the counter across from Marco and me. Lion glares at the cup of tea in his hand, like he’s considering Marco’s words, before handing it to the woman beside him with a grunt. She watches him with a raised eyebrow, which tells me I’m missing something since Lion hasn’t bashed Marco’s head against the countertop.

Marco chuckles and shakes his head before stealing his plate back from me. I narrow my eyes as he smiles at me through a mouthful of scrambled eggs. Biting into my toast, I observe everything around me while trying to ignore the throbbing in my head. I’ve been here for three weeks and spiraled into self-sabotage without paying much attention to my surroundings.

Lion and Akila have been glued to my side since I arrived, like they’re waiting for me to fall completely off the ledge so they can catch me and pull me back. I watch Akila more closely—the woman I hardly know and don’t exactly trust. She’s tiny compared to the six-foot-four brick house standing next to her. Her familiarity has always bothered me.

A Lorenzo.

It’s a surname that is legendary in our world, but there’s more to it than that. I have been too consumed by my own destruction to understand why her looks pull at a memory I can’t quite uncover; it’s always slightly out of reach. But Akila Lorenzo doesn’t look like her father, Marcus. So, what is it I’m missing?

Akila shifts uncomfortably, and I notice the slight wince on her face as she does so. I smile, knowing that look. I pluck the fork that Marco raises to his mouth out of his hand and eat what’s on it. I moan when the eggs hit my tongue. My stomach dances with happiness since my consumption has consisted more of alcohol in the last few weeks than actual food. Marco slides his plate back in front of me and raises a cocky eyebrow in my direction when I open my eyes and meet his gaze. Shit, that’s good.

Lion clears his throat and glares once again at Marco, who just leans forward on the table and rests his chin on his palm.

“What?” he smiles. “I’m a sucker for pleasing women.”

Lion snorts. “You’re a sucker for pleasing your dick. There’s a difference.”

“Speaking of dick,” I add, “what’s Lion like in bed, Akila? Huge, judging by how you still feel him between your legs.”

Lion’s head snaps in my direction, and he narrows his eyes at me. Akila chokes on the tea she just took a sip of.

“There’s no sex talk at the table!” Lion spits in warning.

“Should I ask my question from earlier again?”

“Malia—”

“Well? What’s Big Rig workin’ with? I’ve always wondered.” I turn my attention back to Akila, who looks more than uncomfortable. Her hazel eyes shift between me and Lion, who is burning holes into the side of my head as I ignore him. Marco snickers softly beside me, enjoying the show.

“You’ve been here for a while. Usually, that fucker doesn’t stick his dick in anything he has to look at again, let alone learn their name.” I smile at Lion, who groans his frustration. “You’re still here, though. Now, I can learn the answers to all my burning questions since someone stuck around.”

“I don’t know how to answer that…” Akila laughs. “Aren’t you guys siblings?”

Lion’s strong jaw clenches with tension. Fire burns in his honey eyes, but they soften slightly when he realizes I have a motive for my questioning. The last conversation Lion and I had about Akila was months ago, back when I had first met her. I had been pissed he let someone he didn’t know into his home. A home is the most vulnerable place to bring someone, after all, let alone a stranger. One that has been sleeping next to him, no less.

“Ew, not by blood. Besides, you can’t blame a girl for being curious.” I smile as Lion glares at me. I guess he’s never told Akila about our little arrangement, but that’s neither here nor there. As much as I love stirring the pot, I’m happy for Lion.

Risking his happiness for my entertainment isn’t worth it, so I change the subject by picking up on previous tension.

“Well, alright then.” I look between Lion, Akila, and Marco—who is oblivious to where I’m about to take this conversation and focused on his food. “Marco was good, wasn’t he?”

Marco chokes on his eggs next to me as Lion upturns the table. I foresaw the reaction coming, so I’m able to snag my coffee before it goes flying across the room. I purse my lips and meet Lion’s glare.

Akila leans back on the counter with her arms crossed, scowling at the back of Lion’s head at his outburst.

“Malia!” Lion spits, and I giggle.

“I like her,” I admit with a shrug. Marco heaves deep breaths next to me as his breakfast clears from his airway. “Judging by the look on her face right now, she doesn’t put up with your shit. You need someone to challenge you.”

Lion’s head snaps back, and he looks between me and Akila, who is still glaring at him.

“Clean this shit up, Marco,” Lion growls as he storms out of the kitchen.

“Meow,” I respond, hopping from my chair and patting Marco on the back. “We have a ball to shop for in a few days, Akila. Join me?”

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