God of Pain (Legacy of Gods, #2)

by Rina Kent

Before the thought is fully formed, his rich, deep, and absolutely familiar voice rings in the air. “You talk too much. One day, this mouth will get you in trouble.”

“Hypothetically speaking, I have deviant tastes and violent tendencies. You’re so fucking breakable, I’d crush you in no time.”

This is my one and only warning, Annika. You have no clue what you’re asking for. Be grateful that I have no interest in you and run the fuck away. If you let me catch you, I’ll swallow you alive.

“Don’t ask Bran or anyone else to be your fake boyfriend,” he repeats, with an edge this time. “And if I refuse to follow your demands, which are super illogical, by the way?” He steps closer until his chest nearly brushes against mine and grabs my jaw with his thumb and forefinger, imprisoning me in place. “Then you’ll be acquainted with the pain you’re so scared of.”

Cecily is one of the purest souls to ever exist with enough heart to fit the globe. When we were young, she defended me every time someone made fun of me. Not that I cared, but I won’t forget how she told me ‘I’ll protect you, Creigh. That’s what friends are for.’ I tried to protect her, too, from the monster on my right, to no avail.

“From now on, when I tell you to do something, you do it.” Slap. “If I warn you, you don’t ignore me.” Slap. “You’ll listen to fucking orders.” Slap. “You will obey me.” Slap.

You’ve fucked up again. I’ve given you an opening to try and run away, but you went ahead and refused to take it. Don’t blame me for what’ll happen next. You’re now mine to punish and discipline, little purple.

kiss her like I’ve never kissed before, because I have never kissed before, never considered the act of any value—not until this girl bulldozed through my life. My lips feast on hers with the energy of an unsatiated beast until she’s gasping, until her body molds against mine. Until I can no longer decipher where she starts and I end. The rain beats down on us like a witness of this moment. The moment I decide that Annika Volkov won’t be able to escape me. Not even if she wants to.

Violence isn’t the answer. Violence is the question, and the answer is yes.

“You don’t complete me, you’re a part of me. If you go, that’s no different than erasing me along with you.”

“I lost to you a long time ago. I love you, Annika. I love you to the point I see darkness without you and light only when I’m with you. You’re my sanctuary and the one person who makes me whole.”