Page 318 of The Bonding Games: Part 1

After having one sibling who was nothing but a piece of shit who did his best to make every day of mine a living hell, I never wanted another, and that was the main real reason why I didn’t want to work with other Evots in Game 1. I’ve seen what type of bond it forms, and I know first-hand how tainted they can become.

But none of these men are like my brother, not even Tate, who has a tendency to lean towards violence as the answer for many things. His all stems from a need to protect our Bonded, and while it’s not always rational, I can actually respect that. He’s nothing like my sadistic brother, who always liked to cause pain as much as possible for no reason other than his twisted enjoyment.

And I’ve come to care about these men, too.

Swallowing past what feels like a jagged rock in my throat, I roam my gaze around them. And I think, even though just moments ago I was so sure I could never tell them, maybe I could share a little, for Ezla’s sake more than my own.

“My brother,” I say lowly, eyes dropping to the floor. “He wasn’t . . . He was a twat.” I put it mildly, but when I look back up, I know they all understood my meaning perfectly well from the tense set of their bodies and jaws, the savage glint in Tate’s eyes that suggests he wants to do harm for me rather than to me for once.

“Was . . . ?” Alby’s anxious whisper draws my attention to the slimmer man.

My chin dips. “Was. He’s dead. For two years now.” I pause. “Ezla killed him.”

Understanding sparks visibly through them all, my not-so-subtle glances at our Bonded explained, and Alby gasps.

“Fuck yes, Havoc,” Tate says proudly.

Realisation saturates Scotty’s tone as he utters, “Vengeance . . .”

“Yeah.”

After my confirmation, everyone falls silent again. And now that that’s out the way, as if they all know I don’t want to dive any deeper into my past, a heaviness even more oppressive loads the air.

“Havoc . . .” Tate’s voice cracks slightly.

Tiger looks crushed, and he’s unusually silent, as if my revelation has put a damper on his sunshine, while Alby’s face is wet, his eyes puffy and red.

Scotty’s throat works before he pulls himself together like always, forcing himself to be strong for the rest of us. His chin lifts, and he meets each of our gazes. His is now fortified, a steely determination staring back at us. “We will protect her, and we will avenge her.”

Resolute, our agreement fills the room and brings us closer than ever, binding us together in a way that can’t be undone.

31

EZLA

We will protect her, and we will avenge her.

For a moment, I cannot get any air into my lungs. I cannot even move.

We will protect her, and we will avenge her.

Those did not seem like words deliberately sent to me through the bond . . . which means they are completely authentic. And the determination and rage that came through with them . . . Scotty . . . meant that.

Scotty.

It did not even cross my mind to call him “Player 38” just then. My head has just . . .

I have been thrown.

I do not like that.

I knew Cooper recognised something in me, just like I recognise something in him, and I knew there was a chance he could share this with the other Evots. But . . . I did not expect this reaction when the time came. They do not even know the full extent of things, and this is . . .

Care for her.

Keep her safe.

Find out who hurt her and pluck out their nails, their eyes, their teeth . . . make them eat it all before I cut what remains of them up piece by piece.