Page 63 of Once A Villain

“Fucking oat milk,” Griffen mutters through a mouthful of bacon. “It’s not real milk. What the hell is wrong with you?”

“I’m allergic to dairy,” I retort, rolling my eyes.

“Well, that’s a mood killer.” He shoves a forkful of eggs into his mouth.

Kyla, with a glint of mischief in her eyes, suddenly bursts out, “I reserved a VIP section at Pulse tonight. You two are coming with me.”

“Nope. Absolutely not,” I reply, perhaps too quickly. “No more Pulse. Ever.”

“Oh, come on, Rory! It’ll be fun!” Kyla drapes her arms around my shoulders, giving me a pleading pout. “Pretty please?”

“How can I resist those dimples?” I smile, and she lights up.

“Griffen?” She turns her gaze to him, who’s still devouring his breakfast.

“Sure,” he mumbles, barely looking up.

“Yes! We can get dressed up and dance the night away,” she squeals. “It’ll be amazing, I promise.”

“If you say so,” I murmur, though I’m secretly tempted. Another drunken night might just be what I need.

After breakfast, the nausea gradually subsides. I trudge back upstairs and collapse onto the bed, hoping to rid myself of the hangover’s lingering effects. The day drifts by in a haze of relaxation until it’s time to prepare for the night.

Kyla helps me select a white two-piece set—a mini skirt paired with a crop top. My makeup is bold, and my hair falls straight down my back. I opt for simple jewelry and strappy sandals, completing the look. Kyla is wearing a skin-tight black dress and heels that elongate her already endless legs.

Griffen’s voice booms from downstairs, and we rush down, giggling. He’s in a casual button-down and dark jeans, his brown hair perfectly, annoyingly tousled. We pile into his SUV, warm evening air streaming through the open windows as the city blurs past.

Pulse is alive when we arrive, loud bass pounding through its walls. The VIP section buzzes with Sovereign and Servants Kyla invited.

Stepping up to our balcony, which overlooks the main dance floor, I scan the crowd below.

“You look good enough to eat, little siren.” Axe’s deep voice makes my stomach drop.

I whirl, and his dark eyes hook me, forcing the air from my lungs. My brain blanks. I stumble back instinctively, hitting the cold steel of the balcony rail.

He closes the gap, his body just inches from mine.

“Miss me?”

“No.”

“Well, that’s unfortunate.” He smirks.

The scent of his musky cologne fills the air, suffocating my lungs. He presses his body against mine, his hands sliding around my waist, pulling me closer. My breath hitches, and heat floods my face.

“Because I missed you.”

“Don’t,” I manage, shoving at his chest, but he doesn’t budge.

My heart pounds erratically, my mind spinning. Anger and fear collide, leaving me stuck between fight or flight.

“Don’t what?” he murmurs, his lips grazing my ear. His grip tightens on my hips, fingers digging in. “Don’t touch you?” His hand slides lower, and I slap it away.

“Yes,” I snap, anger flaring hot. “Axel…what you did to me…” The words spill out in a rush. “You burned me. You scarred me. For life.”

“I’m aware.”

“I hate you. I fucking hate you. You don’t get to act like nothing happened.” My chest burns with the need to make him feel even a fraction of what I’ve endured. But I know better. He doesn’t care.

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