Page 23 of Fractured Memories

“Too bad. I’m busy.”

I catch her other hand as it inches toward her sheath. Now, she’s truly stuck in my hold. “I never said I wanted to fight you. I could be here for my own match.”

She arches her brow. “It’s a full house tonight.”

An idea has my lips curling up into a dangerous smile. “Then I’ll just have to take someone’s place.”

Her eyes narrow, and I see the moment it clicks in her head what I’m going to do. But I’ve already moved her out of the way, slipping back out the door.

Jude’s eyebrows shoot up at my quick reappearance, but they crash back down with one look at my expression. “You look like Lochlan, right now.”

The comparison catches me off guard—though I do suppose this is something he would do. “I’m fighting tonight. Go tell Caius.” He used to be an Enforcer, but he was repositioned here at the cages to keep everything running smoothly. He’ll get my name on the boards for betting.

“Kier—“

“You aren’t taking my match!” Eden storms out of her room, glaring at me. Her head snaps in Jude’s direction. “Take him to his seat.”

I have to fight not to laugh at Jude’s expression. He’s aware of Eden’s fiery attitude, but he’s never seen us really interact. And he’s definitely never seen someone think they can boss me around outside Lochlan and Rohan.

“I am taking her challenge. Tell Caius.” I smirk at Eden. “And put her in my seat so she can watch.”

Her jaw drops open. She quickly recovers, though, almost fuming. It’s so fucking enticing to see her like this.

“You are crazy if you think⁠—“

I cut her off as I step into her, backing her into the concrete wall of the hallway. She doesn’t even fight it as I pin her in place, tipping her face up to look at me. “You seem to think I can’t hold my own. So, tonight, you are going to sit your pretty little arse in my chair and watch while I show you how easily I can kill a man. Got it?”

I expect her to fight. That is Eden’s way.

Instead, her lips part open ever so slightly as she stares up at me. Her pupils have blown wide, barely ringed by the golden hazel irises I love to stare at. A pretty pink tinges her cheeks, and I know that she’s turned on right now. Whether it’s from my body pressed firmly against hers or me finally putting the little brat in her place, I’m not sure.

But I’d gladly explore both to find out what it would take to see her olive skin flush a deeper shade of pink. To learn what will finally make this woman break and plead for me.

Later, though. First, I have a challenge to win.

“Eden,” I murmur, my thumb stroking along her smooth skin. “Tell me that you are going to listen for once and watch my fight.”

Her tongue swipes over her lower lip, and I’m dying to chase it. But I let the tension build instead.

“I’ll listen,” she finally whispers, her voice a little raspy.

I cock my head, surprised by how turned on she seems right now. And then it hits me.

My lips curl as I lean down so that my mouth is barely hovering over hers. She doesn’t move, her chin still pinched between my thumb and forefinger. “Is it because you want to see me get violent? Does the idea of watching me get a little bloody make you hot?”

She swallows hard and nods. Fuck, I like seeing her like this.

“I know the feeling,” I murmur, gaze dropping to her mouth. “I nearly came the first time I watched you kill a man.”

Maybe that makes me fucked up. But the way her breathing picks up and her eyes droop tells me that she’s as fucking twisted as me. I think violence turns her on. Which only works in my favor.

I chuckle, forcing myself to take a step back. She blinks, almost looking dazed now that I’m giving her space. I don’t give her a chance to recover as I glance at Jude. “Tell Caius. And take Eden with you.”

He’s good at keeping his face impassive, though I notice he doesn’t quite meet my eyes. “Yeah, boss.”

I think I’ve shocked both of them because he doesn’t argue and Eden doesn’t fight. Instead, she lets Jude lead her down the hall and out toward the cages to sort out the fight.

The timer I spot above the door is counting down the last fifteen minutes, so I lean back against the wall. It’s been a while since I’ve had a public fight, and it’ll be good to remind everyone that I’m not someone to fuck with. I didn’t just inherit a throne. I was baptized in blood to get to where I am.