Page 8 of Forged in the Fire
In a flash, I knew he was king.
“You.”
Crap. Had I just seethed that out loud? It probably wasn’t the best move.
But damn it, he needed to know I wasn’t about to go along with whatever he was up to.
Wasn’t about to stand for however he was planning on manipulating my brother. However he was going to use me against him.
Or maybe his only intention was to use me to punish him.
Not gonna happen, buddy.
“Me?” He basically mouthed it, like he was confused by the accusation.
“Yes, you.” I let the words drop like stones.
The man beside him, who was this hulking heap of muscle, chuckled as he lifted a beer bottle and drained the golden fluid,wryness flitting through every grooved line of his features as he mumbled, “Told you so.”
Thekingonly smirked like the two of them were sharing an inside joke.
I wanted to smack the amusement right off his ridiculously handsome face.
And when I said ridiculous, I actually meant terrifying.
Warm brown hair that was shorter on the sides and longer on top whipped around his razor-sharp cheekbones.
It sat at odds with a plush mouth that was clearly created to whisper the most decadent of lies.
His nose straight and his jaw chiseled.
He looked like Heaven and Hades had a baby, but the wickedness won out.
I heard Dereck’s door creak open then close softly.
The man shifted his attention to him for the barest moment.
In it, I saw a thousand things flash through his expression.
Hatred.
Disgust.
Fear.
The last one I didn’t get because I was certain this man was accustomed to everyone bowing at his feet.
He took a step forward, and I swore the ground trembled below, the muscles of his arms flexing and bowing over the black, shadowy designs that covered every exposed inch of skin as he clenched his hands into fists.
It drew attention to a crow in full flight with a skull hanging from its talons that he had tattooed on the back of his left hand.
I tried to conceal the shiver that rolled through me as I took him in.
I didn’t want to let him see me shrink.
But it was hard to hide when there was no mistaking his big body was nothing but a weapon. Not quite bulky but ripplingwith the type of strength that looked like it could strike you from a mile away.
A flash of lightning.
