Page 58 of Brutal Revenge

And mine.

Definitely mine.

My last two thoughts bother me the most.

My brothers knew this would happen.

They knew no number of lies could beat an addiction this potent.

Yet here I am, heading to a charity gala where I’m supposed to pierce Azra’s heated cheeks, dilated eyes, and lust-tweaked body onto ahook and dangle her in front of Antonio so he can see what he lost and come crawling back.

The thought of our ruse working twists something ugly up my throat, but I swallow it down.

I’m not built for commitment. Monogamy and feelings are not for me. I don’t do… this.

Whatever the fuck this is.

I hate my brothers for the torment they’ve forced on me, but I hate myself more.

I’m a stubborn fuck when backed into a corner, preferring to come out swinging rather than go down like a coward, but it’s hard to move forward with that practice now, knowing Azra will most likely suffer the most because of my pigheadedness.

I remind myself that she’s doing this for Antonio. That he’s her preferred choice.

Despite my many affirmations, I know every word I speak is a lie.

I’m still furious about all of it.

Guess it’s lucky I’m a damn good actor.

Azra’s eyes align with mine in the tinted window, her brow lifting. “Are you okay? You’re being strange.”

I huff out a laugh, pitch-black humor my go-to when snowed under. “Why are you acting like that’s new? I’m fucked in the head, remember?”

“I remember.” She turns back to the window to hide the faintest curve of her lips. “If you’ve changed your mind about needing help, you’ve left it too late.” Sparks of the feisty brunette who knocked me on my ass with one sideways glance shoot out of her in invisible waves. “The GPS says the gala is only three minutes away. I’d never have enough time to unhinge my jaw, much less bring you to climax.”

Needing to soften the blows of a fight she didn’t instigate, I say, “Liar. Have you seen your face? I could come just staring at you.”

My tongue peeks out between my teeth when she plays the game with more skill than my brothers and me combined. “Prove it.”

“If you think the threat of attending a charity event in cum-stainedpants will have me backing out, I hate to tell you, sweetheart, I’m not known for coyness.”

I twist to face her before acting like I haven’t spotted a blinking red light in the air vent in front of us. It isn’t security from the transport company. My gut tells me this, let alone my brothers’ recent obsession with surveillance.

They’re probably sitting around the projector screen, eating popcorn and taking bets on how fast I’ll slam my fist into Antonio’s nose before tossing his fiancée over my shoulder and dragging her back to my cave to finish what they started with the brutality of an inbred beast.

They’d never anticipate this.

“But if you’re wanting to skip this event, speak now, and I’ll have this car immediately turned around.”

The only time I walk away from a fight is when I’m convinced I can’t win.

It should come as no surprise that this is the first time I feel the odds are too stacked against me to walk into the ring unprepared.

After twirling a tattered bracelet around her wrist, Azra sheepishly shakes her head. Her headshake silently declines my offer, but the pleading spark in her eyes reveals a desire for me to ignore her right to decide for herself—as I’m sure every male figure in her life has done so far.

She doesn’t want to attend this event, but something is forcing her to continue with her ruse. Or should I say someone, since it only took one glance at a frayed friendship bracelet to deny my offer?

Even without the earrings she dumped somewhere in the dressing room, she’s wearing enough jewelry to rival a clear night sky, so not only does her bracelet stand out but it also sparks many questions.