Page 303 of Fatality

“But I always hit back.”

“How dare you?!” Lira screams between ragged breaths. “He is mine!”

She lunges again, nails aimed straight for Riven's face. I move on instinct but Riven is faster.

She snaps her arm back and drives a brutal hook into Lira's jaw.

Lira's head whips sideways before she crashes onto the floor, clutching her face as she scrambles backward.

“I don't care if you think he's yours or not!” Riven snaps. “You don't fucking hit me! I was relaxing, had my whole brain upside down, then you barged in here, insulted me, threw a tantrum, and despite me staying calm, you still decided to hit me?”

She cracks her knuckles and crouches in front of her.

“You're from the Upper Layers, aren't you?”

Lira nods frantically.

“Then stay there and leave me—and him—the fuck alone. Otherwise, I'll use my name to ruin your family's life.”

“Wh-Who... who are you?” Lira asks, her voice shaking. “Y-You can't! I'm a Vexyan! I'm rich, and I get whatever I want, whenever I want!”

“And I'm Riven Laordie.”

I watch every ounce of color drain from Lira's face, her mouth hangs open. No sound comes out.

“So get the fuck out before I fall back into my bad habits and actually beat your ass for putting your hands on me.”

Lira scrambles to her feet, yanks the door open, and bolts into the corridor, slamming it shut behind her.

My own mouth is hanging open, I shake myself out of it and move, grab Riven by the waist, straighten her and spin her around to face me.

I don't say a word, I can't.

I just stare at her, at the confusion replacing the fury that had been burning across her face only seconds ago.

She's fucking incredible.

I could've ripped Lira's implants out. Instead, Riven dismantled the biggest brat I know with nothing but her words, her fists and her name.

“What?” she spits.

“You're going to tell me about all those bad habits...” I take another slow step toward her. “Before I drop to my knees and worship you right here.”

Her face flushes instantly, shoves me backward.

I let her, my hands fall to my side, twitching from missing the warmth of her.

A dark chuckle rumbles out of me.

“I know you want it.” I purr, closing the distance again.

“You want to know about my past?” she asks, refusing to meet my eyes.

“Yes.” I grin. “And I have a feeling those bad habits are only going to make me want to devour you even more.”

She snaps her head toward me and punches me.

I just smile.