AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His expression hardened, but I knew from our previous talks his anger wasn’t directed at me. “That’s exactly why I need to do this. It’s worse than you know. He’s—” He stopped short as if contemplating whether to continue, then asked, “Do you know what pyrocrystals are?”
I vaguely recalled the conversation with Frankie about the red rock I’d found. It felt like a lifetime ago. “Just that they’re a drug of some sort.”
“They’re formed during a dragon’s spirit bonding ceremony and help enhance the new connection,” he explained. “Ichiro has figured out a way to create them en masse and is selling them to Gifted people.”
I didn’t quite understand what he was implying. “Why is that bad? Besides the obvious drug part.”
The lines along his jaw moved as he clenched his teeth. “They’re a very powerful and addictive drug to anyone not bonded to a dragon. He’s using them to force submission and seize control. Soon, he’ll be more unstoppable than he already is.”
Oh, crab on a coconut. Ichiro was already one of the most powerful people in the city, if not the most. “So, you want to take over and put a stop to it, I’m guessing.”
“I’m not a good man, Bree.” His gaze darkened, but it only served to make him more attractive. “I’ve never pretended to be. But this goes too far. He’s crossed a line, and the only one who stands a chance going against my grandfather is me.”
My heart ached as cracks formed, ready to break apart completely. I didn’t agree with him at all. He was a good man, but one stuck in an unfortunate situation, having to make difficult decisions. I could relate.
“Can’t you fight him without having to be named heir?”
“The only way to put an end to this is from the inside. There are too many variables involved.” He stepped closer and cupped my face in my hands. The cracks in my heart grew bigger. “I know this is difficult and that I’m asking a lot, but trust me. Please. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, and I would kill anyone who tried to.”
I closed my eyes and leaned against his palm, trying to find some comfort in his touch. Unfortunately, there was no comfort to be found.
The deep clang of a bell echoed across the gym, followed by erupting cheers that shook the walls.
That would be Frankie announcing the fight and hyping up the crowd. We only had a few more minutes, which meant I needed to make a decision—fast.
“What happens if you lose?” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
He shrugged and smiled, much too casually for his next words. “He’ll kill me.”
And just like that, my decision was made.
If he won, Marissa and I would lose our home. There was no way Ichiro would let us live in the basement rent-free, and I couldn’t afford it on my current salary. I couldn’t afford any place.
Marissa and I had been homeless and hungry before, we could do it again. And Frankie was scrappy enough to survive the apocalypse. We could come back from those things.
But if I won, Dominic would lose more than just the fight.
There was no coming back from death.
The illegal fights at Subliminal were brutal, partly to give the audience a good show, but also because Gifted people healed at faster-than-human rates. It took mass destruction to win, and in some cases, one or both opponents died from their injuries.
He needed to win, but there was no way he was going to fight me like that tonight. Despite his tough exterior and the arrogance he wore like a shield, Dominic wouldn’t hurt the people he cared about, which meant he wouldn’t hurt me, even to save his own life.
Unless…
…he hated me.
My heart hammered viciously against my ribs as an idea formed. The only true way I could get him to feel nothing but violent hatred toward me. It would be despicable, but it would work.
Could I do that to him?
To us?
The bell rang again, and I knew my time had run out. Frankie would expect us in just another minute. I had no other choice.
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and squared my shoulders. Channeling Marissa’s sass with an inner grimace, I twisted my lips into a smirk. “Ready for round two, lizard boy?”
Dominic’s bewildered look would have been funny in any other situation. “Round two of what?”
