Page 156 of Claimed By a King

As much as I’ve tried to disown my dad in my head and heart, it’s not that simple. I’ve known him—or thought I knew him—my entire life. Once upon a time, he was my hero, the one to check for monsters under the bed.

For all the bad he’s done, and the list is long, he didn’t deserve to die like that. Or maybe he did, but I didn’t allow it.

Clutching the knife in my hand, I angrily cut Irina’s shirt from her body, making sure her torso is bare to me.

“You wrote 4 eva,” I said. “So let’s make it so.”

Then I dig the end of the knife into her skin, slicing until she’s literally bleeding the message that’s forever etched into my dad’s flesh.

Irina + Brian 4 eva!

Disappointment clings to me, making the experience bittersweet when Irina barely inhales sharply. But not a sound falls from her lips, much to my dismay.

“You’re going to be tough to break,” I say, admiring my sloppy handiwork. “But I won’t disappoint you, Irina. I’m more than up for the challenge.”

I barely recognize my tone. It doesn’t sound like me at all. And if I’m being completely honest, this doesn’t feel like me. Yet it’s something I need to see through. Not just for myself. But also for my mom, dad, Leslie, Slayer, Izzy, Sasha, and all the other people Irina has helped hurt.

Grayson

Ijerk awake, my lids snapping open and frantically darting around my room.

Something’s not right.

Turning my head on the pillow, I glance over to see Zoe’s still sound asleep next to me, her deep breaths of slumber meeting my ears.

Why did I just wake up?

I strain my ears trying to hear beyond the bedroom, but everything sounds so quiet.

Did a noise wake me up?

Slowly sitting up, being careful not to disturb Zoe, I check my phone to see there aren’t any notifications informing of a breach or any movement picked up on the motion sensors.

Blowing out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, I relax my tense shoulders, accepting that perhaps a dream snapped me from sleep so quickly.

Fuck. I think I’m losing my shit.

Running a hand down my face, I slide my phone back onto the nightstand and reach for the lamp, flicking it on… Only no light illuminates the space.

Frowning, I flick the lamp switch off and on again a few times before I ease out of bed and move to the wall switch by the door, flicking it on.

Nothing.

Shit.

I stand still for a minute, listening again, and realize the reason it is so quiet is because I can’t hear the hum of the fridge.

The power is out.

“Gray?” Zoe’s husky voice floats from the bed, and I move over to her quickly.

“Princess, I’m sure it’s nothing, so don’t panic, but the power is out. I need to do a sweep of the building.”

Zoe bolts upright, and from the little light filtering in through the window from the moon, I can see how wide her eyes are as she looks around the space.

“Are we in danger?” she whisper-yells and I chuckle.

“What about don’t panic, don’t you understand, Princess?”

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