God of Pain (Legacy of Gods #2) by Rina Kent

His black satin robe flies wide open, revealing his red shorts and the extravagant tattoos covering his chest.

It’s like he’s doing a satanic ritual.

The silver lining is that both Jeremy and Gareth are by his side, so I can keep an eye on them and bolt if they come in this direction.

My brother is scheduled to fight against Landon in the second semifinal match next week, and I’m definitely not going to be around to watch that.

Nikolai’s eyes flash open and stare directly at me.

Shit.

I half hide behind Ava, but his gaze remains the same. If he tells Jer I came here despite his clear warnings, I’m doomed to another episode in the ivory tower.

Wait.

I move sideways and Nikolai’s gaze doesn’t track me.

It’s on…

I follow his line of vision to find a stiffening Brandon who’s standing behind us. His hand pulls at the back of his hair as he meets Nikolai’s savage gaze, lips pursed, eyes hard.

It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him look so upset, so…perturbed.

“Bran!” Ava jumps him in a half hug. “What are you doing here?”

His expression reverts back to normal and he drops his hand from his nape. “Remi begged us via the group chat.”

“He did?” Cecily asks. “How much do I have to bribe you to show us that?”

“No need for a bribe.” He fishes out his phone and scrolls to a group chat called Lord Remi’s Sidekicks.

Remington: My favorite—and only, might I add—spawn will be fighting in the semifinals tonight! I’m going to need you all to come and cheer for our youngest little shit. I have tears in my eyes, I swear. When did he become all grown up?

Eli: Stop talking about him as if he’s a kid.

Remington: Fuck off, psycho. You call him baby brother all the time.

Eli: But only I get to do that.

Landon: We can always do it behind your back.

Eli: Not if you wish to live another day. He’s my brother.

Landon: And my baby cousin.

*Creighton left the chat*

Remington: Blah, blah, blah. You scared my spawn away with all your ramblings. He’s my cousin and my spawn, but you don’t see me bragging about that, though I totally should. Anyway, who’s going to be at the fight club?

*Remington added Creighton to the chat*

Brandon: You know violence isn’t my scene.

Landon: Beg first, your lordship.

Eli: Yes, beg. And make it worth our while.

Remington: What kind of fucked-up kink is this? The only time I’ll beg is when both of you are shoved into hell. That’s when I’ll get on my knees and plead with Satan to skin you alive and let me watch.

Landon: I guess that means you’ll go alone.

Eli: We would hate for you to look sad, Remi.

Landon: The fangirls wouldn’t approve.

Eli: You might lose shagging rights.

Remington: Fine, you fuckers. Please come.

Landon: Pun intended?

Remington: Fuck you, Psycho 2.0. Tell anyone about this and I’ll kill you. Okay? Okay.

*Creighton has left the chat*

Cecily laughs and Ava stares blankly at the screen for a while before she chuckles, too.

“I’ll pay you to send me screenshots,” Cecily says.

“You can get them for free.”

“Awe, we don’t deserve Bran.” She grabs him by the arm.

“Bitch, the whole world doesn’t deserve Bran.” Ava wraps an arm around his free shoulder.

He subtly slings it off him. “Thanks for the compliment, but I kind of still want to live another day.”

She rolls her eyes and steps back.

“Does Creighton always leave the chat?” I ask.

Bran smiles. “Yeah, and Remi adds him back in. It’s like a cat and mouse game.”

“Does he talk to you guys?”

“Rarely.”

“OMG.” Ava watches me intently.

“What?”

“You little bitch! All this time, you said you were putting Operation Fake Boyfriend on hiatus because you’re hung up on Creigh, aren’t you?”

“Now that you mention it.” Cecily narrows her eyes on me. “Maybe the reason she doesn’t glue herself to Creigh’s side anymore is because they’re having alone time in private.”

“Also, Creigh did ask me what the best film at the cinema is these days,” Bran supplies to my horror.

“A date?” Ava’s eyes nearly bug out. “Cray Cray on a date? This is huge. We need deets, like all of them, and in order. Did you kiss? Did you fuck?”

My face must look crimson, but I still clear my throat. “I…don’t know what you guys are talking about.”

The three of them close in on me, but before they can grill me for answers, the fight begins.

That definitely gets their attention.

I release a long breath, but it’s caught in my throat when Nikolai all but lunges at Creighton as soon as the referee announces the start.

Most fighters spend the first few seconds carefully circling each other.

Not Nikolai.

He was born to inflict violence. A mafia prince through and through.

The King’s U’s crowd goes wild as he lands the first blow, sending Creighton’s face flying sideways.

A gasp falls from my lips and my whole body stiffens.

REU’s crowd starts chanting Creighton’s last name in unison. Ava and even Cecily join in.