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

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.

Landon: Bran wins all the time. You don’t see him flaunting his dick for anyone to see. Isn’t that right @Brandon King?

Remington: Or that’s what you think *laughing out loud emoji* *winking emoji* *side eye emoji*

Landon: Details?

Remington: Let’s just say Bran surprised my lordship and it takes a lot to do that.

Brandon: Shut up, Remi.

Remington: Yes, sir. Off to go now. If I somehow die in the throes of pleasure, write ‘He died doing what he loves the most’ on my tombstone and tell my parents and grandparents that I love them. My spawn, too. You better miss me @Creighton King

Eli: Pretty sure he won’t. In fact, he’ll be happy to be rid of your bothersome clinginess.

Remington: Shut up, you unfeeling, antagonistic, crazy psycho.

Landon: It’s true, though. Creigh couldn't care less about you, no matter how much you try. How does it feel to be unimportant?

Creighton: You are important to me, Remi.

There’s a long pause, people typing at the same time. Then all the replies come at once.

Remington: Totally screenshotted that, will frame it and hang it in my room. You can’t take it back, spawn.

Landon: Who are you and what have you done with our silent Creighton?

Brandon: Is it really you, Creigh?

Eli: Emergency state. He must’ve been kidnapped.

Remington: You guys are just jealous. Go die.

Then he sends a series of evil laughing GIFs.

I throw my phone aside, use my hand as a pillow, and stare at the ceiling.

A dark ball jumps onto my chest and I sigh as Tiger decorates my T-shirt with his hair.

This cat is another reminder of Annika. Of her sweet smiles when she sees him and the baby voice she uses to talk to him.

“Listen here, you little twat.” I hold him up so I’m staring at him. “No more climbing onto her shoulder or head or I’ll throw you out on the streets.”

He merely glares at me with those hooded eyes the way snobbish cats do and attempts to scratch me.