Page 81 of Untamed

Then she steps forward, eyes wide, voice trembling. “I... I didn’t know. When he requested me to serve him personally, I thought…”

“You thought what? That you serve drinks better than any other girl at that place?” I rake a blood-slick hand through my hair, the sting grounding me. “He’s got you fucking marked, Jordyn. If not for himself, then for the highest bidder.”

Her breath hitches. “How was I supposed to know that, Ares?”

“You weren’t.” My voice sharpens, firmer now. “You were supposed to listen when I warned you. But you chose to chase your independence for a couple thousand euros, and now you’re a fucking target.”

The words slice through the air like a blade.

She flinches. Just barely. But I see it.

See the way her shoulders stiffen. See the way guilt floods her expression. See the way she opens her mouth to fire back, but nothing comes.

And fuck, I hate the way it makes me feel.

Because I didn’t say it to hurt her.

I said it because it’strue.

Because she doesn’t understand the kind of world she’s just invited herself into. Because I’ve killed for less than the way Nicolai looked at her.

Jordyn looks at my bleeding knuckles, her voice barely a whisper. “You’re bleeding.”

I stay quiet.

I just look at her and wonder how the hell I’m supposed to protect her from all of this…When she keeps acting reckless and running straight into the fire.

I feel her shift as she takes a step toward me and I just watch her, inching closer, and closer until we’re practically toe to toe. “Why is everyone so terrified of you?”

Her eyes fall to my hand again, split open and still bleeding.

She steps closer.

No hesitation now. No recoil. Just something softer.

Her slender fingers reach for mine again, hesitant this time. She lifts my hand with careful precision, like she’s afraid to hurt me even when I’m the one who’s made a life out of hurting others.Her touch is featherlight, tracing the jagged red lines with something that feels too much like mercy.

I don’t move.

Ican’tmove. I feel like I’m rooted to my spot.

And when her fingers begin to drift higher, skimming up the inside of my forearm, I swear I forget to breathe.

“I saw Nicolai’s face when you walked in,” she whispers, her voice barely audible. “Rocco’s too. They didn’t just look scared. There was a raw, primal fear etched into their features, as if they were staring down the very embodiment of terror itself. What is it about you Ares Russo that makes even the most hardened of men shrink back, as if they’re in the presence of the devil himself?” I look at her...really look. She’s close enough that I can see the flecks of silver in her blue eyes, the way her lashes tremble with every blink, the pulse fluttering in her throat.

“Because they are, Jordyn.” I admit. “They’re scared because they’ve seen what I leave behind,” I say, my voice low, hoarse. “Because they’ve heard the stories and know every one of them is true.”

She doesn’t move.

“They’re scared because I don’t hesitate. I don’t bluff. I don’t threaten, Iact.” I pause, letting the weight of it settle between us. “Because I’m not a warning, Jordyn. I’m a consequence.”

Her breath stutters.

“It’s not what I might do that terrifies them,” I whisper, “It’s knowing I’ve already chosen who won’t walk out.”

“I’m not,” she says, softer now, barely audible. “Scared of you.”

I stare at her, breath caught in my throat.

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