Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

309. Olivia - Nail polish IV

Everyone stops what they are doing and looks at me. I bet they didn't expect me to want to go to the Blood Lodge. There are two reasons why I don't want to remain alone on the farm.

First, because Jason is surely waiting for the right moment to get me back. The daggers are also here and if they end up in Azael's hands, the world as we know it will end. Even with my darkness ready to come to my aid at any time, my fear of Jason is too strong. Even if I fight him, he might drug me. Until I learn how to stand on my own two feet when it comes to those who trigger me, I prefer to be safe than sorry.

Two, I want to see how everything at the gathering reacts to seeing Tyson and his blood-brothers having their nails painted.

It seems that my words took everyone by surprise. A few seconds pass, and no one says anything. They pretend they didn't hear what I said, as they keep gathering empty bottles. Mose and Ansel start to take the chairs inside. It's time to take matters into my own hands.

So, I make my next move.

I get on tiptoes, grab Rueben by the collar of his hoodie, and pull him down for a kiss. His chest rumbles before he takes over and kisses me roughly. His fingers tangle in my hair as he devours my mouth. My alarm bells go off, and I want to push him away, but then he groans my name against my lips, making me think he won't hurt me this time.

"Olivia." He sucks my bottom lip before tilting my head to the side and kissing my neck.

For years, I've been afraid of him, of what he would do to me when he would find me, but I never thought he would kiss me like this. Or want to be with me. He went from wanting to kill in the worst way possible to wanting to fuck me so hard I'll end up in a wheelchair for a few days.

His left hand slides all the way to my ass. "Too bad we have to go to the Blood Lodge," he groans before letting go of me. "Otherwise, I'd owe you a new pair of jeans."

scared or...scared. Whatever he planned, it can't turn out good. Even if he now knows the entire truth, he will find other things to blame for. He might even get angry when people start to laugh at him for having pink nails. I should avoid problems,

polish bottles. "I'll make myself comfortable in Jasper's bed, eat ice cream, and

me that it's best if I mind my own business. Even Tryson agrees with Rueben, as she says, "A minute ago, you wanted to come to the Blood Lodge; now you want to

I have a

I could come," I

ask our permission to do things. When you said you wanted to come with us, there was nothing to add. You

Oh.

dress, how to speak, or what to eat can be tiring since I have to make those decisions. I don't even know what my favorite food, color,

that I'm Olivia, and I'm

empty bottles he has in his hands down before

dating. Sweet, gentle, never forcing me to do things, letting me decide for myself. When plans were made, we would make them together. How would it be to give Tyson another chance? Things wouldn't be the same, we are not the same, our feelings are not the same, but if there's one thing that I learned, it is that life is too short. I

to give Tyson another chance, it won't be a rushed decision. I need to ponder

go change,"

about me?" Rueben reminds me that I didn't paint his

on the last chair left outside. Rueben squats in front of me. The rage that always reflected in his eyes is gone, replaced by some other feelings I can't put my finger on. He is still grieving the loss of Camila and his parents. "Green will work great with your turquoise

me with...tenderens. It's like the old days. My chest hurts as I remember how kind he used to be. He used to laugh a lot, and I took

hand. "Imagine what Camila would have said if