Goddess of Pain - Katie May Page 0,29

this girl seemed willing enough, but how far would Mr. Whitmore go? He obviously isn’t above blackmailing.

So I killed him.

I’ve killed a shit ton of people since I’ve been on Earth.

Honestly, I didn’t think Emily knew about my pastime. A burst of light erupts in my chest with the realization that she noticed me, noticed what I did for her.

Currently, she’s asleep, her tiny body curled into a tight ball. When Tate arrived, she took one look at the smug asshole, sighed heavily, and then walked away.

Those two have never been able to see eye-to-eye. They’re quite literally explosive—one moment, they’re madly and desperately in love, and the next, they’re planning each other’s murder.

Planting a tender kiss on her forehead, I slip out of the room, now dressed in a pair of loose sweatpants. The rest of my brothers are congregated in the living room, whispering harshly to one another.

As I stare around the cosy living room, I feel a familiar tingle erupt in my chest. It’s…rage.

These men who call themselves Emily’s mates tried to kill her. I knew about the explosion—who didn’t?—but Emily hadn’t told me about the shooter.

How dare they sit in our living room and act like nothing’s wrong? How fucking dare they?

Before I even realize what I’m doing, I’m across the room and driving my fist into Tate’s smug face. The shock in his eyes would’ve been comical any other day, if I wasn’t so incredibly pissed.

“What.” Punch. “The.” Punch. “Fuck?” Punch.

“Is this some kind of kinky foreplay?” Sin questions from somewhere behind me.

“Shut the fuck up,” I growl. “I’ll deal with you in a little bit.”

“Ohhhhh.” Sin cackles. “I call bottom.”

Crazy fucker.

Before I can land my next punch, Helio captures my fist, yanking me away from Tate.

“What the hell?” I wheel on the towering man, holding his stare when a lesser man would cower. Helio? He’s a terrifying motherfucker. His time on the human realm didn’t change that. I’m quite certain he could—and would—kill me if I ever hurt Emily. “Do you know what he did?” I seethe, baring my teeth. I feel feral and out of control.

Tate’s voice comes from the ground, and a surge of satisfaction unfurls within me when I see his face is a myriad of bruises.

“Let him get his anger out,” he drawls in that lazy voice of his. I swear, he always sounds like a condescending prick. Time hasn’t changed that. “He probably has years of pent up aggression. Did I hear Sin right? Did you live with Emily for years and never fuck her?”

My power explodes out of me, encircling Tate, but he merely sneers up at me. How can Emily love him? He’s cruel, egotistical, and cares more about himself than anyone in this world. Me? I’ve loved Emily forever, before I even understood what love truly was.

I watch the goddess turn towards her lover, Desmond, with a giggle. He catches her easily and pecks a simple, chaste kiss to her awaiting lips.

The garden is beautiful at this time of day. Meticulously groomed hedges line the walkway, leading to a white-painted gazebo. A stone bench sits beneath the canopy, and that’s where Emily and her lovers currently are. Helio stands behind them, a silent shadow. I know he can sense my presence—has always been able to—but he remains tight-lipped.

Emily looks radiant today. Her dark hair is luscious, hanging nearly to her waist in thick curls I yearn to put my hands through. Her eyes sparkle with mirth as she whispers something in Desmond’s ear. Though I don’t know the man well, I respect him immensely. He’s the only one capable of putting such a smile on her face.

If Helio is her strength, Desmond is her joy.

And I’m just her stalker.

I’ve become content with my position in life. After all, she’ll never care for me like I do her.

I think I’m already in love with her.

No, I don’t think so. I know so. When I’m in her presence, the rest of the world fades away. The voices in my head—the voices demanding I kill, kill, kill—begin to quiet.

“Are you just going to stand there like a creeper?” a soft voice asks, raspy with laughter.

I jump, startled, and lose my balance on the thin tree branch I’m resting on. Her giggles reach me as I scramble to regain purchase, gripping the trunk of the damn tree like a spider monkey. Helio’s lips twitch, and Desmond smiles widely, displaying two rows of perfect teeth.

With a confidence I don’t feel, I