God of Pain (Legacy of Gods #2)(73)

I don’t know Jeremy Volkov except for when I saved him from that fire, and only because his sister was ready to die for him. Obviously, that shit wasn’t going to happen on my watch.

Before that, Jeremy and I had only crossed paths at the fight club, but not against each other.

He seldom participates, and when he does, it’s only in fights leading to the championship.

This year, it’ll be me against him in the finals since he eliminated Landon in the semifinals.

I watched it from the sidelines, and it was proper brutal. If I didn’t know better, I would’ve sworn that Jeremy was taking it personally, and Landon was enjoying every second of antagonizing him.

My cousin ended up losing anyway, and now, everyone won’t stop talking about the final that will take place in a few weeks.

And while I haven’t thought about it much, maybe it’s time to. My interactions with the Heathens have been through defeating both Killian and Nikolai in the ring, so Jeremy won’t be any different.

“You have the audacity to touch my sister?” His inflection is flat, meant as a veiled threat.

“Jer…it’s not what you think,” Annika tries to explain in a soft voice with that infuriating fake smile of hers.

“It’s exactly what you think,” I interrupt her.

Annika is more readable than a book and if she thinks that I’ll allow her to draw his attention away from me so that he’ll direct his wrath at her, then she’s sorely mistaken.

“What did you just say?” Jeremy enunciates.

“You heard me. Annika and I are together.”

He starts toward me and Annika’s eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets. Her polished nails dig into his leather jacket and her whole body jerks with his movement.

It’s panic.

She’s about to hyperventilate at the thought of a fight breaking out between us.

Always against conflicts, my Annika. Always so…elegant, even in her panic. That’s what attracted me to her at first—her elegance and softness.

Her beauty and even her purply, violet-scented presence. I have no clue when it started, but at some point, I wanted to confiscate everything about her and keep it to myself.

“Jer…please. Let’s go back to the mansion and I’ll tell you all about it.”

“Go back so he can lock you up again?” I take my own step forward so that I’m toe-to-toe with Jeremy.

She purses her lips and shakes her head at me. She might be a pacifist, but I’m most certainly not, and I will not, under any fucking circumstances, allow him to take her away from me.

“And what is it to you what I do with my sister?”

“She’s not a kid anymore. She’s eighteen and can and should have the freedom to make any decisions that concern her life.”

“Tell you what, King. I’ll give you leeway since you saved my and my sister’s lives in that fire. Go find another girl to mess with, because she’s off-limits.”

“Thanks for the courtesy, but I’ll have to decline.”

He smiles, but it’s cruel and holds no welcoming whatsoever. “You think I’ll let you be with my sister?”

“You won’t have a say in it. She’s already mine. In every sense of the word.”

“This fucking—” He lunges at me with his fist raised, and I do the same, ready to pummel the fucker to the ground.

“Stop!” Annika jumps between us, her petite frame trembling despite her upright posture. “Stop it, please.”

“Consider yourself lucky.” Jeremy grabs her by the arm and starts toward the exit.

“You will not take her away from me.” I start toward them with every intention of spilling blood tonight.

Annika stares back, shakes her head frantically, and mouths, “Please. Trust me.”

My feet come to a halt despite myself.

She played dirty and asked me to trust her, so I can’t just pummel her brother and glue her to my side.

As much as I dislike letting her go, I choose to trust her.

Because, unlike her brother, I believe she’s an adult with her own decisions and choice.

Still, I fetch my phone and type her a text.

Creighton: You only have a day to make him change his mind or we’re doing it my way.





I’m unable to sleep.

An occurrence that’s never happened in my life.

Ever since I was a child, sleeping has been the one activity I could effortlessly fall into.

Not tonight.

I stare at my phone long enough to drill holes in it. Annika hasn’t replied, and I shouldn’t really be bothering her in case she’s busy talking with her fucker of a brother.

Or she’s asleep.

A few notifications from the group chat appear at the top of the screen, and since I’m bored, I click on them.

Remington: If any of you bitches try to sabotage my orgy, I swear on my lordship’s title that I will be coming after your balls.

Landon: I’ll join.

Remington: Not a fucking chance. You’ll just steal all the attention.

Landon: Don’t be stingy, Rems. Bros before hoes, remember?

Remington: Go find your own orgy. You don’t see me hijacking your fun. Besides, this is special since we’re celebrating my win tonight.