Goddess of Pain - Katie May Page 0,50

I don’t know my brothers as well as I thought I did.

Maybe, just maybe, they’re not the doting men I thought them to be.

Maybe, just maybe, they’re the ones who want me dead.

Chapter 18

My feet pound against the woodsy path as I veer sharply to the right, taking the longest trail the park has to offer around the gorgeous lake. My lungs burn as I push myself faster and farther than ever before. The only sound is the steady thump of my heart as it races.

Betrayal.

Everyone betrays me in the end.

My stomach muscles tighten, momentarily stopping me mid-run, as I think of the phone number I found. Burke’s number. No matter which way I look at it, one thing remains painfully clear—Ray called the man who wanted me dead.

Tears burn my eyes, but I still don’t let up on my relentless, punishing pace. I don’t know who I’m trying to punish. The world? My brothers? Rebecca? My men? Myself?

It feels as if I’m always running—from my past, my present, and my future. And it feels as if someone is always chasing me.

Maybe I deserve this…this…betrayal. Maybe the decisions I made when I lived in the Realm of the Gods are finally catching up to me, barreling me over like an out-of-control bull.

Sweat slides down my forehead as pain lodges in my throat. Fucking pain. How can the physical type feel so damn good, while the emotional one destroys me?

Panting, I lean up against the nearest tree and remove my phone from my sweatshirt pocket. There are a few texts from the guys.

Arsin: Lookkkk I’m textingggggggg. Loveeeee me woman

Avery: You okay?

Desmond: I just put toilet water in Tate’s coffee. More details on how he reacts later. Love you! Stay safe!

Helio: where r u?

Nothing from Tate, though I shouldn’t be surprised.

And then, in a separate group chat, are numerous ones from my brothers. A smile springs to my lips before I can contain it, and tears prick my eyes as I read through their conversation.

Colton: We had fun last night, little sister!

Ray: I don’t like them.

Henry: Her “friends”?

Colton: Friends my ass! I think Emmy got herself a harem.

Ray: I can shoot them if you want. Make it look like an accident.

Henry: No need. I know how to dispose of a body without the cops ever knowing.

Ray: Burn the body and then crush up the remaining bones? Throw them in the ocean?

Henry: Yup. Or acid.

Ray: How the fuck would you get acid?

Colton: Y’all, I’m pretending I don’t hear this conversation. Deniability.

Henry: Coward.

Ray: Pussy

The laugh that escapes me is hollow and pained.

My brothers have always been three of my best friends. But, as Rebecca has taught me, I can’t always trust the bonds of friendship, now can I?

Placing my hand over my mouth, I release a muffled scream, channeling all of my pain and anger into that one, heart-wrenching sound. The anguish of their betrayal stops my heart. A sob tears past my lips, and my tears feel scorching hot on my suddenly icy skin.

But before I can give in to my grief, allow it to drag me away like a wave in the ocean, footsteps pound on the pathway behind me. Immediately, I whip myself behind the nearest tree, using it for coverage in case of an attack. I know, logically, that this newcomer could be just another jogger, enjoying the trails in the early morning sunlight, but I prefer to be cautious and alive than naïve and dead.

Ragged breathing reaches my ear as the person gets closer and closer. I brace myself, one hand on the tree and the other on my pepper spray. Yeah, I know. The Goddess of Pain should definitely have something more badass than simple pepper spray. Maybe a knife or bazooka? Hell, even my trusty bat would be more useful, but it’s kind of difficult to carry one along with you on a jog.

I can feel my power percolating in my stomach, the dark residue twisting and churning with every passing moment. My heart roars in my chest as the familiar tendrils of fear grip the organ in a tightening embrace.

A figure appears on the top of the nearest hill, the sunlight silhouetting his body in murky shades of gray and black. Still, I recognize him instantly—though I don’t move from my crouched position.

As he passes the tree, maintaining a light jog, I lunge forward and wrap my arm around his neck, causing him to stumble.

“What the fuck?” Tate growls as his fingernails dig into my wrists.