Chapter 211
JESSICA
“No.”
“You can’t keep me here, Kirill. Let me go.”
A
55 vaughar
He doesn’t even look at me. After what happened at that place, Grayson went back to talk to Kirill but he had his men push him out of The Triad and now I’m left with so much anger I could just slash Kirill’s throat right
now.
I don’t know what happened but I’m thinking his men overpowered Grayson.
“Let. Me. Go.”
“You think he’s coming for you? Grayson?” He laughed, low and cruel. “He’s not. He’s weak. You saw it yourself.”
My jaw tightened. “You don’t know him.”
Kirill’s
eyes darkened, and he yanked me closer. “I don’t care about him. I care about you. And you’re gonna learn your place.”
I struggled, but his grip was iron. “You’re sick.”
“Maybe,” he said, his voice chillingly calm. “But I’m the one holding the leash now. And you? You’re just a dog.”
He dragged me down the hallway, my heels scraping against the floor. “You will continue your training as I designed and I’m going to make you as strong as you can be.”
He shoved me into a room, and I stumbled, barely catching myself. “You can fight all you want, but it’s not gonna change a thing. You’re here. With me. And that’s not gonna change.”
I looked at him, my eyes blazing. “You’re a monster.”
He leaned in close, his breath hot on my face. “Yeah? And you’re my monster now. Get used to it.”
“Kirill! What about Grayson?” My voice cracked, desperation clawing at my throat.
He smirked, a cold, lazy tilt of his lips. “You can have your booty calls at the end of the week. Consider it a perk.”
“Why are you doing this?” I shot back, my hands balling into fists at my sides.
“Politics.”
“Politics?”
“Go and don’t tell me anything about this. And take a shower Jess. I can smell you from afar.”
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Chapter 211
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Kirill left without another word, slamming the door behind him. I stood there for a moment, my hands still clenched, before I finally exhaled and dragged myself to my room.
I heard it–the faint sound of running water. A shower. My heart skipped. Who the hell was here?
I crept toward the bathroom, my footsteps soft against the floor. The door was slightly ajar, steam curling out into the hallway. I peeked in, and there he was.
Grayson.
His back was to me, water streaming down his shoulders. He hadn’t noticed me yet. My breath caught.
“What are you doing?”
He turned, water dripping down his face, his eyes locking onto mine. He didn’t look surprised. More like he’d been expecting me.
“Your place. Your shower. Thought I’d use it,” he said, his tone casual, like this was no big deal.
“You can’t just-”
“Relax, Jess,” he cut me off, stepping out of the shower and grabbing a towel. “I’ve made another deal.”
My mind was racing, but his presence was… grounding.
He leaned against the sink, studying me. “You are right. I’m a bastard. And I know everything is my fault. I’m the one who sends you here and I’m the one getting you out. Kirill gives me another offer.”
“Grayson…”
He gave me a small, almost reassuring smirk. “I’m not sharing you. I’ll be training with you. I’m climbing back the ranks, Jess. I’m joining the Triad too.”
I stood there, frozen, my thoughts a tangled mess.
“You’re kidding, right?” I finally managed to say, crossing my arms.
He shrugged, towel slung low on his hips. “Why not? Figured it’s for the best.”
“For the best?” I raised an eyebrow, incredulous. “You’re talking about infiltrating the Triad, not joining a book club.”
He tossed the towel onto a chair, unbothered. “Yeah, well, it’s not like they’re handing out invites. Someone’s gotta do it.”
“And it’s gotta be you?”
“Yeah, it’s gotta be me,” he said, his voice low, almost a growl.
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, come on. You’re not invincible, Grayson. The Triad’s are different. And what about
Kade? What about the others?”
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Chapter 211
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He stared at me for a long moment, his chest rising and falling with barely contained anger. Then, finally, he turned away, running a hand through his hair. “It’s been agreed. I’ll be under Kirill’s command and you’ll be under Cid’s training.”
“So all this time, you want to be Kirill’s bitch?”
“Kirill’s bitch? Really?” He leaned in, his face inches from mine. “I’m your bitch Jess, that’s why I’m doing this.
For you.”
For a second, he looked like he’d hit me. His fist clenched, his whole body tense. But then he stepped back, breathing hard. “You don’t get it,” he said, his voice quieter now, but still sharp. “You don’t get what’s at stake.”
“Then explain it to me,” I snapped. “Because right now, all I see is you making a decision that’s gonna get us all killed.”
He didn’t answer, Just turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, fists clenched, heart racing.
“Damn it, Grayson,” I muttered under my breath. But he was already gone.
Morning came, and I couldn’t get used to it. There’s a hierarchy of bastards in this place, and Grayson—of course–sits at the top of it.
How could he… share breakfast with the man we both hate? My stomach churned, a bitter mix of anger and disbelief.
“You’re late,” Cid says softly. “Training started five minutes ago.”
I didn’t move. “How can that happen?”
He traced my line of vision and I agree with his sudden reaction of hatred. “He’s letting just anyone join us.
No offense.”
“No offense? That’s rich. He’s… he’s eating with him like it’s nothing. And here I thought they hate each other.”
“They should. That guy’s not one of us. Never will be.”
I glanced back at the table. The guy in question was laughing, easy and careless, like he hadn’t just walked into a den of wolves. My stomach turned.
“I’ve heard about what happened…“Cid helped my as I fix some weapons. He picked it up and give it to me. “My sister told me you went there?”
“Yeah, I went,” I said, my voice tight. “I’m sorry if I did some trouble on her part.”
He didn’t say anything for a moment, just watched me slide the weapon into its sheath. “You cried,” he finally said, more statement than question.
I shrugged, not looking at him. “Maybe. So what?”
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Chapter 211
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“So, nothing.” He grabbed another blade, testing its edge with his thumb. “Just saying. You’re not the only one who gets it.”
I shot him a look. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“If you’re gonna act like you’re the only one who’s got problems, fine. But don’t expect anyone to stick around when you’re done feeling sorry for yourself.”
1 froze, the words cutting deeper than I’d let on. “You don’t get it.”
“Maybe I don’t.” He tossed the blade onto the table, the sound sharp in the quiet. “But if you’re gonna keep going like this, you’re gonna burn out. Fast.”
I didn’t answer. Couldn’t. Instead, I grabbed the blade and started sharpening it, the repetitive motion calming my nerves. Cid didn’t push. He just leaned against the table, arms crossed, watching me like he was waiting for something to give.
Finally, I broke the silence. “You think I’m weak.”
He snorted. “If I thought that, I wouldn’t be here.” He pushed off the table, moving to stand in front of me. “But you’re not helping yourself. And you’re not helping them.”
I looked up at him, the edge in his voice making my stomach twist. “What do you want me to do?”
“I don’t know,” he said, his tone softer now. “But sitting here, sharpening blades and pretending everything’s fine isn’t it.”
“It isn’t.”
“What happened?” Cid leaned in, his breath warm on my face. “Promise. If you told me, I won’t have to kill you.”
I froze.
His hand moved so fast I didn’t see it coming–until the cold edge of a knife rested against my throat. My breath hitched.
Then he smirked.
A laugh escaped him, rough and unexpected. I let out a shaky breath, pushing his hand away. “You’re such an asshole,” I muttered, though my voice trembled.
His smirk faded. “You should’ve seen your face,” he said, but there was something darker behind his words.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over us. I looked up. Two men stood there, staring down at us with arms crossed.
Uh–oh.
