BREA POV.I gasped as Angrav's nails dug into my chin, and then glared into his ugly-looking face."Hmm, such a fierce look. I can see why Nicolai wants you so much" he said, turning my face from side to side before letting go.My chin itched from the pressure, but my hand was bound at the back of the chair I was sitting on, so I couldn't scratch it off. Ryder stood pressed to the wall, watching me with no expression on his face. He still looked the same, except he was missing some fingers and his hair had grown longer. I met his gaze and he frowned, murderous intent swirling in his eyes. So he wasn't sorry for what he did? I came to a decision. I was going to cut his fucking arm off when all this was over. He'd injected me with those same hands and delivered me to Lucas anyway, so it was only fair for me to return the favor.A big screen stood in front of me, and that was the only thing that occupied the space we were in. Were they planning on showing me something? I didn't know h
BREA POV The hall got so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. A little hole appeared in front of Angrav's neck and I watched as red blossomed from it, and then a spray of blood hit me in the face before the man dropped to the floor. Zeus and Ryder stared shock-shelled, their jaw almost touching the floor. Then Ryder screamed, rushing towards me and brandishing a knife. Another shot swished through the air and I watched him crumble to the floor, screaming in agony as blood dripped down his thigh. "Fuck! Fuck!" He cried, then pulled out a tab and started pressing on it repeatedly. "Don't bother doing that Ryder, there is no one coming to save you. The Angrav clan is no more since your leader is dead. This house is under new management now" I smirked, taking in the horrified look on Ryder's face. I cocked my head at Zeus and watched in delight as he trembled. It wasn't from fear but rage, but there was nothing he could do about the situation. I bet he wasn't that dumb to figure out t
BREA POV The sole of the red shoes she wore glinted in the sun before it smashed against the side of my face. A strangled cry escaped my lips, the throbbing pain fading into a burn as their laughs crackled around me. It was supposed to hurt worse, but they'd already hit me in the face so many times that my face felt numb. "She's such a weakling. Look at her lying there all pathetic" The girl that stomped on me got out and spat on my face while the two boys and the girl to her right giggled."There's nothing she can do though. Worthless piece of garbage" the boy snarled and I winced, letting out a sharp hiss when his hand twisted in my air. My whole body ached as he forced me to gaze into his eyes."You should be kissing the very ground that I'm walking on Brea Larson. What, you think you're all that because you come from an elite family? Newsflash, doll face! Your family is nothing! Do you hear me? Without the money my father invested in your stupid family business, you'd have been
HIGH SCHOOL BREA POVI anticipated the scream before I heard it. It was sharp, it was shrill, it was pain-filled, and yet, it symbolized a turning point in my life. The trashcan she'd kicked lay to her right, the content of it spilled haphazardly across the tiles. I turned the corner, and I see everyone fleeing away from Ava as blood pooled around her feet. Her big toe had an ugly gash- it was almost split in half and even as her voice rang out for help, everyone stayed back, keeping their careful distances, the look of utter horror on their faces.The same was the case for her besties- I always knew that they didn't care for her enough. They watched, huddling each other in a corner, both of them just staring at Ana as if she was an alien they had not seen in their lives before. It was hard to imagine that this was the trio that had terrorized me ever since I got here. The recent bruises they'd left on me after their assault was just starting to fade. I rushed towards Ana, then cro
BREA POVFOUR YEARS LATER."Why are you just sitting here looking like the loneliest block on planet Earth?" Candice screamed in my ear as the loud music thrummed through the room, but I was too buzzed out to make out the words she was saying.Even her features were distorted. Just how many glasses was it that I'd spent my night drowning?"Hey, you're zoning out. Are you sure you're well? Do I need to get Brian," she screamed, and I blinked the dizziness away, groaning in irritation. If she kept screaming in my ear, she was going to be blamed for the outcome. My hands twitched, itching to pull out the little dagger I kept stocked away in my boot."Get out of my face," I managed to get out of my burnt-out lungs. At least now I knew drowning shots of vodka was not my strong suit. I was definitely not a heavy drinker, no matter how I wished I was.Not being able to do something made me feel as if I lacked in a way, and that was why I overcompensated in other areas.Candice shrugged and l
BREA POVThe gorgeous man was Ana's fiancé. I found out the next day, after waking up with a righteous headache and almost puking out my guts. Ana had been the perfect host that even my hate from the night before was all but forgotten.When Ana repented four years ago, she'd meant it, and now it was hard to fault her for anything. It made me mad, because if I was going to hurt someone, I needed a reason for it, and Ana had done nothing wrong, except deliberately throwing her wealth in my face. But I was sure even that wasn't deliberate. We were all at a restaurant - the fiancé's treat - and I wondered why the world was so unfair. Ana always had the best things, and sometimes, I hated her for it. I'd tried not to be like the rest of the selfish population, but I couldn't help the envy in my chest. My heart drummed unsteadily in my chest as Ryder's gaze locked with mine. He must have noticed me staring since I've been told I have a searing gaze that drew one's attention. He raised a
NICOLAI POVThe scream of the man on the torture table wasn't loud enough. He'd lost a lot of blood and his voice, and that was disappointing.I pulled out my dagger from his thighs and he groaned, blood spilling from his lips as he coughed in pain.At least his tortured face wasn't a disappointment. He looked like he was ready to give up, but I wasn't done.The door opened, and my brother walked in, his eyes widened as he took in my handiwork. I loved the reaction because it meant I did a good job."That has got to hurt" Lucas grimaced and I smirked."I was trying to draw a dragon, but he ruined it by squirming around like a little bitch," I said pointing to the craving on his skin, blood sipping out of every cut and incision. "He wouldn't stay still, so now I have to start all over, on a neat canvas. His back is still untouched so that's next." I grinned, and the man's eyes widened as he imagined it, which was exactly what I wanted him to do. "As long as it puts you in a good mood,
BREA POV "I know what you plan to do Brea" Markus's voice whispered into my ear, his body hovering over mine. My hands stilled under the running water and I managed not to flinch. I hadn't heard him move, and I'd thought he was still at school. "You and your friends already canceled the trip so why did you suddenly push for it when you were with them this afternoon... Was it because of Ryder?" He asked, the annoyance in his voice loud and clear for me to pick up.I wasn't surprised that he'd been there instead of school. I guess he was getting very good at following me around since I hadn't even sensed him in the vicinity at all, which was as well since I had been very preoccupied with Ryder."Don't be ridiculous." I scoffed as I turned off the tap, and met his manic gaze in the mirror. "I don't have to give you an explanation".I wasn't surprised when he grabbed and yanked me to face him. He was pissed, and the puff of his angry air hitting me in the face made me cringe."I deserve
BREA POV The hall got so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. A little hole appeared in front of Angrav's neck and I watched as red blossomed from it, and then a spray of blood hit me in the face before the man dropped to the floor. Zeus and Ryder stared shock-shelled, their jaw almost touching the floor. Then Ryder screamed, rushing towards me and brandishing a knife. Another shot swished through the air and I watched him crumble to the floor, screaming in agony as blood dripped down his thigh. "Fuck! Fuck!" He cried, then pulled out a tab and started pressing on it repeatedly. "Don't bother doing that Ryder, there is no one coming to save you. The Angrav clan is no more since your leader is dead. This house is under new management now" I smirked, taking in the horrified look on Ryder's face. I cocked my head at Zeus and watched in delight as he trembled. It wasn't from fear but rage, but there was nothing he could do about the situation. I bet he wasn't that dumb to figure out t
BREA POV.I gasped as Angrav's nails dug into my chin, and then glared into his ugly-looking face."Hmm, such a fierce look. I can see why Nicolai wants you so much" he said, turning my face from side to side before letting go.My chin itched from the pressure, but my hand was bound at the back of the chair I was sitting on, so I couldn't scratch it off. Ryder stood pressed to the wall, watching me with no expression on his face. He still looked the same, except he was missing some fingers and his hair had grown longer. I met his gaze and he frowned, murderous intent swirling in his eyes. So he wasn't sorry for what he did? I came to a decision. I was going to cut his fucking arm off when all this was over. He'd injected me with those same hands and delivered me to Lucas anyway, so it was only fair for me to return the favor.A big screen stood in front of me, and that was the only thing that occupied the space we were in. Were they planning on showing me something? I didn't know h
NICOLAI POVBrea was right, there was something fishy about the whole thing with the Angrav, hence why I was secretly making a plan B.I wasn't going to let them hurt her, but I also needed to wipe them out for good, or take over the territory because if I left them unchecked, they were only going to keep trying to obliterate me. I didn't even understand what Angrav's deal or obsession with the death of Xavier Genovese was. Had they been lovers, if they were, it would explain a lot. I would never stop seeking vengeance if anyone touched the hair on Brea's head, or put a bruise on her skin. But If I didn't put Angrav in his place, others like him will grow balls and they would try to challenge my authority, and in this fucking business, reputation was everything.I was already being disrespected anyway, and all because I chose to play nice for once. Zeus being an example... I should have just killed him earlier, but stalking my prey and instilling fear in them worked just fine to kee
BREA POVThe gym was packed, and as I took out my frustration on the punching bag I couldn't help but glance at Zeus at the opposite corner.He'd been a fucking spy, and he'd tried to seduce me... Was that all part of their plan? What would he have accomplished by getting me to fall in love with him?No wonder he'd been so cocky when I told him that Nicolai was going to kill him if he didn't leave me alone.I could still remember his words from that day. "You underestimate me Brea, but don't worry, I am going to make sure that that doesn't happen. I won't allow Nicolai to hurt you anymore" he had uttered, fire burning in the depth of his gaze. I should have seen then that he wasn't ordinary, especially since everyone revered Nicolai. Then there was Ryder who was now on my kill list. The manipulative son of a bitch was going to die at my hand, I swore it.He'd betrayed me to Lucas and now he was trying to sell me off to the Angrav's.There was only so much I could take before I snapp
NICOLAI POV"So this is all a big conspiracy" I mused, scoffing, my hand clenching the phone I held to my ear.I glanced back at Brea who still had her eyes closed with her mouth slightly parted, soft air escaping her lips as her chest rose and fell. She was so cute, it tugged painfully at my heart.The blanket half covered her and I could see the marks I'd left on her skin, gleaming as the lights from the lamp cast its glow over her. She was perfect, just like I'd known she would be.She'd told me she loved me, and it had caught me by surprise, because how could she love me after everything I did to her, but someone she did, even though she knew I was a monster?Brea had put her trust In me and even though I was a maniac, my brain always firing off and trying to deviate from the normal norms, I was going to keep her trust, I was going to protect her, and I was going to give her anything she wanted.I haven't seen her smile in a while and on a normal day, it wouldn't have mattered, ju
ZEUS POVHer rejection shouldn't have hurt, especially since it was something that I had anticipated, but it did, and I did not like the dark feeling it evoked In my chest. I wanted to fucking smash something, but the gadget in the house I stood in was freaking expensive and I didn't want to be indebted more than I already was to my piece of shit older brother. Brea was a victim in all this mess and Nicolai Fernandez was the fucking bastard who didn't deserve her. He was a psychopath anyway and Brea should know better. He was only going to hurt her in the end.I dragged my hand through my hair, sighing in exasperation. For all of my life, I never thought that I would get involved in my brother's plot for revenge, but after the death of Xavier, and the attack of Nicolai against his syndicate, he'd been voracious for it and had come to me seeking for my help. I'd refused at first since I wanted to do nothing with the syndicate, but Angrav knew some things about me that could land me in
BREA POV His words raised goosebumps on my skin and I am so disoriented by the sudden, power shift that I don't even fight back as he took my wrists and cuffed them to the bed.I swallowed hard as he yanked the bathrobe off my shoulders, almost ripping the material in half with the force he used. And then he did rip it, the tear ringing like a Canon in my ears. I gasped, shutting my eyes for a second as I burned up from the adrenaline coursing through my naked skin. I tried to wriggle away from him, but he put a stop to my movement as he straddled my thighs, holding me in place, his capable hands cupping my ass. His touch fucking scalded my skin and a harsh breath punched out of my lungs."What the hell do you think you are doing" I managed to get out, licking my lips nervously."Reminding you who you belong to" he growled, then yanked my hips back to get himself in a better position, holding me still with his dominant hands.“Relax, Brea,” he whispered, leaning forward to press a
BREA POVSomeone was watching me and I could tell who it was even though I was still asleep. I jumped from the bed, my eyes flying open and blinking rapidly in the darkened room. I hit the light switch, trying to regulate my panic-induced breathing.I was alone, but there was a gut feeling that told me I wasn't. I dragged my hand through my hair, exhaling tiredly. Last night had been draining, maybe that was why I was feeling paranoid. I'd forced myself to go out with the rest of the crew... Andre had been really excited about the win, and the proud way he'd announced me to the rest of the crew had made me feel all warm and floaty inside. It was good to win, and as we all had fun, I'd been able to forget about Nicolai and Zeus for a while. Zeus literally disappeared after our encounter in the changing room, and Melissa recalled him saying he was going home to crash.Well, that was all over now. He was going to stay away and I was going to make sure of it. Nicolai on the other hand
BREA POVMy body was wound up tight like a rubber band and I couldn't bring myself to move as I gaped at the spot that Nicolai had occupied just some seconds ago. The ghost of his finger against my throat still lingered and my lips throbbed, the feel of the harsh way he'd kissed me ingrained into my memory for good.I counted my heartbeat as it ricochet beneath my ribs. I couldn't breathe or gather my thoughts, especially not when my body fucking burned like I'd been lit afire.My head felt fuzzy as I dragged my fingers against my swollen lips, then down my throat, my eyes slipping close as I tried to relieve his touch.A door slammed outside and I jerked, my eyes flying open as my heart rate increased, almost to the point that it fucking hurt.What the hell are you doing Brea? I asked myself, dragging my hand through my hair and wincing from the dark bruises that littered my torso from the fight earlier.Nicolai was back, and contrary to what I thought, he hadn't forgotten about me