Tarnished Crown (Gravestone Elite #2) by Caitlyn Dare (top inspirational books TXT) 📗

I didn’t warn you,” he says darkly. “Easton, I suggest if you don’t want me to fuck Mia right here in front of everyone, you do as I say, and... Make. It. Hurt.”

Bexley doesn’t hold back this time. It’s like a switch flicks inside him as he lets it rip on the defenseless guy. Punch after punch, his fists rain down on him. The sickening sound of bone crunching against bone echoes around the room, setting my teeth on edge. At some point, Cade hands me off to Sasha, who wraps an arm around my waist as I bury my face in her shoulder until Cade declares, “Enough,” and I finally peek over at Bexley. His hands are coated in blood, his head lowered as he inhales ragged breath after ragged breath. The guy is unconscious, a sticky, bloody mess. His face is completely mangled, no longer resembling the guy who bumped me in the hall. Silent tears roll down my cheeks as Channing moves Bexley out of the way so they can untie the guy and haul him out of the chair.

“You know what to do,” Cade says dismissively, as if he didn’t just give the order for Bexley to beat him to a pulp. “I knew you had it in you.” He claps Bexley on the shoulder like they’re two old friends. “You just needed a little nudge in the right direction. I’ll have to remember that. You should go clean up. And try not to get blood all over the carpet.” Cade smirks. He actually smirks, as if anything about this is funny.

Bexley’s gaze moves past me, his skin pale and eyes blown with adrenaline.

“Come on.” Alex approaches him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Bexley flinches but lets his friend lead him out of the room.

My heart is in tatters, watching him leave. Bile swishes in my stomach at the blood on the floor.

“Come on, Sis.” Brandon motions for Sasha to follow him. She hesitates, silently asking me what I want.

“Go,” I say. “You should go.”

They leave, taking the air with them. Cade watches me as I stare at the chair.

“That was completely unnecessary.”

“He disrespected you, and he paid the price.”

“He bumped me in the hall because you pushed—”

He’s on me in a second, his hand wrapped around my throat as he walks me backward and pins me against the wall. “Don’t push me, Mia.” His lip curls with dark intention. “You won’t like what happens.”

I refuse to look away despite the fear uncoiling in my stomach. “You can’t hurt everyone who looks at me funny.”

“I can do whatever the fuck I like,” he grits out.

The air is charged around us, buzzing with tension. He’s unstable, seduced by his own power and lies.

“I could take you right here,” he snarls, “up against this wall, and no one would stop me.”

I try to swallow over the lump in my throat, but my mouth is too dry.

“But Quinctus wouldn’t like it.” His eyes widen, and I continue. “They like tradition. What do you think they would have to say if I told them that you forced yourself on me, all because you couldn’t wait a few more days?”

His eyes turn black as his hand tightens against my throat. “You wouldn’t dare…”

“Are you really prepared to risk it?” I suppress a shudder, dangerously aware of his fingers wrapped around my neck. “Just so you can take me when we both know I’ll be yours in less than two weeks?”

I have him. I have Cade right where I want him. He might lord over Gravestone U like a king, but he’s still just an Electi. And he’s scared of Quinctus finding out the truth about just how far he’s willing to bend the rules.

But then his whole demeanor shifts. “Mia, Mia, Mia… You think you’re so fucking clever, don’t you? But you forget one thing.” Grabbing a fistful of my hair, he pushes me to my knees, trapping me between the wall and his body. His other hand snaps his belt open and pushes his pants down his legs. Palming his cock, he pushes it against my face. I try desperately to turn my head and resist, but his fingers grip my head in a vise-like hold.

“Open wide, baby.”

I shake my head, fear saturating my veins as my heart races in my chest. This can’t happen…

“Open your fucking mouth.” He presses the tip of his cock harder, forcing it past my lips and into my mouth. I gag around him, overwhelmed at the intrusion.

I manage to get my hands to his thighs, trying to push him away and let me up for air. To stop this madness. But it only encourages him to slide deeper until I’m choking around him.

“Fuck, your mouth feels good on me.” Tears stream down my cheeks as he starts fucking my face. Hard and brutal, he pistons in and out, rubbing my tears all over my cheeks with his thumb as if I’m nothing more than a toy. His plaything.

“By the time I’m done with you, Mia, there’ll be nothing left. And that’s a fucking promise.”

But it doesn’t sound like a promise at all.

It sounds like a threat.

One he’s going to enjoy making come true.

23

Bexley

"FUUUUCK," I bellow as Alex pushes me into my room.

My fists fucking kill, but it's nothing like the pain in my chest from the memory of Mia's face as I followed orders.

That guy didn't deserve that.

All of this is fucking Cade's fault. If he was paying attention to what he was doing in the hallway earlier, then it never would have fucking happened.

"I need to go back for her," I seethe, turning on my heels and attempting to push Alex out of the way.

"I really don't think that's a good idea."

"Fuck you, Rexford."

"No, Bex. You need to get a fucking grip. If you walk back down there and go after him, you'll be the one needing a fucking grave digging, not that asshole."

"He didn't even do anything wrong," I