Page 36

“It is our duty to thrive and to possess strength. It is a necessity. Bravery is what we yield. Loyalty is a gift, and it is mercy we leave.”
They chant along with her then it shuts off.
Thisis GenCre?
I blink, captivated by the place until an arm lands on my chest halting me. I raise a brow looking down at the arm, and I turn my face to the man attached to the arm touching me. I give a polite smile. “Would you like to see how it feels to have your arm detached from your shoulder?” I bat my lashes as I look up at him.
I can tell he wants to keep a stern face, but worry streaks over it, and he gulps so loud I could hear it. His arm quickly falls like I doused it in acid. Clasping it in front of him, he looks forward.
“I didn’t think so.”
Ronan rounds the corner and a twinge in my heart does a two-step.
Stay dead heart.
Beside him is another man the same height as Ronan, broad shoulders, wearing all black with a messy, sandy brown tapered cut, a sharp squared jawline, and squinty eyes. He smirks as he comes closer.
Both men are well-built and striking in the looks department, but Ronan’s steps are large and confident; I spot his gun tucked into its holster.
I suck in a short breath. It’s like he’s siphoning the dark aesthetic from the room and absorbing it all. I’m still unraveling in the 360° change.
I can finally admit an embarrassing truth, that I had a crush on him when I was younger. Of course, I kept it to myself for two reasons; he was my brother's best friend, and he was significantly older— sixteen-year-old me was too much of a wuss to think I could offer a twenty-one-year-old anything. But now?…Old, unwanted feelings resurface at the base of my chest like Nanites regenerating the body. I watch him making his way toward me with the walk of a king who’s ready to wage war. I can’t ignore the tightening in my throat. Disgusting.
He’s the enemy.
“Starting off with threatening my men, Anita?” He now stands in front of me with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
At a whopping five-foot seven, I’m not a short woman, but his height makes me feel so much smaller than usual. I look up at him with a shrug, and the tip of his brow rises.
“So, this is her?” The man eyes me closer with his arms behind his back. His eyes are so squinted you can barely see the dull blue behind his lids.
Ronan’s brows arch up slightly. “It is.”
“And you are?” I shift my gaze from Ronan to the tall man who’s investigating me a little too closely.
His eyes widen just enough to make out the entire color of his iris, but I notice they’re just naturally narrow and squinted in shape with dipped brows. He is the epitome of ‘serious resting face.’
He grins with an acute expression, offering his hand. “Red.”
I wonder why they call him that because nothing on him is red. I would ask, but I don’t care.
I clasp my hand in his large, warm one quickly, and then I let go. Simultaneously, the two men besides me shift, and I quickly look, my brows lower from their notion. They both raise their hand forming the letter ‘G’ with their fingers to their chest with their heads tilting down. Then lifting their heads back up and relaxing their hand at their side. I can’t help the intrigue roaming through me, and the disbelief.
What, am I joining forces with a cult?
I roll my eyes instead, even though I am truly impressed. Glancing back at Ronan, who nods his head at them both.
Yeah, I won’t be doing that. Ever.
Instead, I lean down with my foot crossing on the back, then tipping my head down, jokingly. “Your Majesty.”
Even though the word is very fitting, I smirk once I raise. He gives a blank stare, squinting slightly.
Red chuckles in amusement, showing straight white teeth. “Good luck.” He clasps Ronan’s shoulder with a light shake. Then he looks back at me. His eyes dim. “I’ll be seeing you around, Anita.” He offers one last smirk before strolling off out the door.
“You two can go. Thank you for leading her here.” Ronan notions them away then looks back at me with his golden eyes; I noticeably swallow.
A curve forms on the side of his mouth, curling up the scar on his lip. “So, you decided this was the only choice?”