God of Wrath (Legacy of Gods #3) by Rina Kent

I slide my finger on the side of my nose. “What if Jeremy wants to marry her?”

“Don’t jinx it. No, he doesn’t.”

“He didn’t look bothered just now.”

“Oh, please. That’s his standard expression, but what if…” Her face pales and she comes to an abrupt halt. “What if he actually agrees if our parents arrange the marriage? She’s Russian!”

I pat Annika’s shoulder even as mine goes rigid.

“No, no,” she says, not seeming to believe her own words. “I’m the one jinxing it now. There’s no way that would happen.”

My friend spends the rest of the walk to the shelter convincing herself that it’s all a play of her imagination and cursing Maya for calling her Nika and a midget.

Me?

I just get lost in my own head as I go over the stock of pet food.

On one hand, I shouldn’t feel this way for someone I’m not even dating.

On the other, I hate that I can’t stop.

But what I hate even more is that I care.

Maybe this wouldn’t have made a difference a week ago, but after that night he and I talked, I stupidly thought we shared something more than twisted kinks and savage sex.

But maybe that was wishful thinking on my part.

Maybe, as he said, I should neither trust him nor find him safe.

Because he’s using me as much as I’m using him, and that’s it.

I’m dejected the whole day, despite my attempts to cheer myself up and even chatting with my parents for over thirty minutes.

The thought of going to the cottage and deepening this feeling of nausea doesn’t sit right with me.

You know what? I’m not going.

It’s not mandatory or anything.

So I snuggle in bed with a book, ready to spend a peaceful night.

Now, if I could actually enjoy what I’m reading or focus on it, that would be great.

My door flings open and Ava stands there wearing a killer pink dress and bold red lips and stilettos. “Guess who got us tickets to a VIP lounge?”

I flip a page. “I’m busy.”

“Bitch, please. With what?”

“Reading.”

“You actually developed a habit of doing that upside down?”

It’s then I realize I’m holding the book the wrong way. With a deep sigh, I close it and place it on my lap.

“I’m not in the mood, Ava. Take Glyn or Anni.”

“Both are with their boyfriends. Besides, I want my Cecy with me.”

I snicker.

She grins, reaches me in a few steps, and grabs my shoulder. “Come on, it’ll be so much fun.”

“My and your idea of fun are so different.”

“Pretty please. I’ll owe you a week of Netflix and chill.”

I stay silent.

“Come on, that’s like your kink.”

My kink is something entirely different. But I nod because I’m not going to let her go alone, and maybe a change of scenery is everything I need tonight.

“Yes!! Let’s get you into something pretty.”

“What’s wrong with my jeans?”

“Hell no. You can’t go there in jeans, Cecy. They won’t let you in.”

“Fine. But nothing over the top.”

She squeals. “Let me go pick you something real quick.”

Her ‘real quick’ will take at least an hour.

Shaking my head, I slip out of bed after she’s gone and pause when my phone vibrates on the side table.

Jeremy: What do you want for dinner?

I narrow my eyes to make sure this is in fact a real text. The nerve of this prick to send me this after what happened today. He’s not even going to address it?

But fine. If he wants to play this game, then it’s on.

Cecily: I’m going out with friends and I won’t be coming tonight. So you can have whatever dinner you want.

Jeremy: Come over after you’re done.

Cecily: No.

Jeremy: I wasn’t asking, Cecily.

Cecily: And I wasn’t stuttering, Jeremy. I’m having a night off.

Then I turn off my phone, my blood boiling.

Screw that arsehole. It’s time he gets a taste of his own medicine.





25





CECILY





It’s been twenty minutes since we arrived at this VIP club and I’m already regretting letting Ava drag me into this.

I swear she’s a magnet for trouble and has been screwing herself, and me, in retrospect, ever since we were children.

She often comes up with ideas for fun, which always include breaking some rule, like staying out after curfew and treading into prohibited places.

And we often get caught. Papa’s always disappointed that I’ve done something like that, while Aunt Silver and Mum give us an earful. Ava pretends to understand and reflect on her actions, but soon after, she goes back to her rule-breaking habit.

But despite that, she never lets the blame fall on me and will say things like, “I’m sorry, Aunt Kim, for corrupting your daughter, but please don’t take her away from me.”

It was only after we grew up that I realized Ava does this to satiate a hungry beast inside her. She’s not doing it for attention like many others, since she tries her hardest not to get caught. She’s doing it for herself.