The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 128

Chapter 128

The guy with the big, onion–shaped nose who kept sucking up to Cruz was named Kurt Greslin

Next to him was another quiet guy, Eskin Greslin.

All three of them were from the Greslin family.

Just like Damien and Cruz, they’d been thrown into the underground fighting scene by their family when they were five, and somehow managed to make it back alive.

Plus, Kurt, Cruz, and Eskin had only reunited two days ago, when they all returned to the Greslin family.

The reason Kurt was trying so hard to impress Cruz was simple–they hadn’t seen each other in ages, and now it was just like those hometown holiday reunions where everyone’s bragging about who’s made it.

And out of the three, Cruz was definitely the one shining brightest in the international underground scene.

So, since Kurt had nothing flashy of his own to brag about, he kept putting on airs about Cruz’s reputation in front of Nova and Damien, acting all cryptic.

He was hoping Nova and Damien would totally buy into his act and look like a pair of clueless fools.

After all that bragging, Cruz was practically glowing with pride, feeling like he was bathed in some kind of divine light.

He shot Nova and Damien a look fit for a king, all high and mighty.

But Nova and Damien just looked at him like they couldn’t care less; there wasn’t even a hint of excitement on their faces.

That slammed Cruz with the kind of humiliation you’d get if your pants got yanked down in public–he was mortified and had no dignity left.

He had to admit, his so–called Eduardo Underground Alliance was nowhere near on the level of the top mercenary corps, Bloodblade or the number one assassin organization, Shadow Sanctum.

Why?

His little crew wasn’t even worth a second glance from Bloodblade or Shadow Sanctum.

Cruz hyped himself up to Kurt so Kurt would then go show off to Nova and Damien, all just to boost his own. stock.

And clearly, those total dorks fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

But Damien, just like back when they were kids, was totally blank–like he couldn’t care less about Cruz’s big talk.

That kind of reaction made Cruz absolutely lose it.

“Damn it!

“Sius, I’ve despised that deadpan stare of yours since we were kids!

“The party’s about to start. Just you wait!”

Cruz erupted at Damien, his fury echoing through the room.

Damien was as cold as ever.

He was a killer through and through–just did the job, never let anything from the outside world shake his focus.

Every feeling he had, Nova was the one pulling the strings.

In his world, it was simple: there was Nova, and then everyone else–either marked for death, or not.

Cruz and his crew? They were definitely the former.

“Let’s go!”

Seeing Nova and Damien acting so dense, Cruz was livid, snorting and glaring like a bull ready to smash through a wall.

With a sweeping gesture, he ordered his crew to follow and made to leave.

“Tsk, so you really founded an underground alliance in Eduardo, huh?”

Just then, a clear, charming female voice called out from behind Cruz and his crew.

It was the sound of a girl–fresh and sweet, but teasing just enough to turn heads.

Inside, Cruz perked up instantly. At last–someone who actually recognized his worth!

He whipped around, a cocky smirk plastered across his beat–up face, and announced loudly,

“You bet!

“The Cruz Underground Service Syndicate! That’s my crew–I’m the one running everything!”

His Cruz Underground Service Syndicate was actually pretty well–known, even across Eduardo.

Compared to Damien–the guy with all that brown hair and zero reputation–Cruz felt like a living legend.

He was basically the top dog out of all the Greslin kids who survived being dumped into the underground world together.

Besides…

And that cute girl hanging with Damien…

If she’s asking stuff like this, that means…

She must’ve heard of the Cruz Underground Service Syndicate!

‘So? Pretty impressive, right?‘ Cruz thought, basking in his own pride.

‘Gotta admit, for a guy in his early twenties, pulling off all this… You’re probably falling hard for me already. aren’t you?‘ Cruz congratulated himself silently.

“The Cruz Underground Service Syndicate, huh…

“That’s so tiny I’d never even heard of you guys.

“With a crew that insignificant, you seriously think you can stand alongside Bloodblade or Shadow Sanctum? Please–you wouldn’t even make the cut as a stray mutt outside Shadow Sanctum’s front gate.”

From ahead, Nova’s voice cut through the crowd–clear, bold, and impossible to ignore.

Her retort smacked Cruz upside the head like a steel pipe, leaving him shellshocked.

Cruz’s brain spun so hard he could barely see straight.

‘Did she seriously just say that?‘ he stammered in disbelief.

‘A crew so tiny she’s never even heard of us?

‘Not even worthy to play guard dog for Shadow Sanctum?!‘ Cruz felt his confidence crumble, totally speechless.

One look at Kurt and Eskin showed pure disbelief–Kurt looked like he’d just seen a ghost, while Eskin was simply dumbfounded.

Cruz’s face twisted into a hideous shade of blue and purple, like he’d swallowed something nasty.

But this time, he had nothing to say–Nova’s words hit home, every last bit of it true.

“You… you… you…” Cruz could barely get the words out, so pissed he was practically choking on them.

“Alright then, you just wait!

“I’ll prove it to you! Just watch!”

Cruz swallowed his shock, trying not to let it show.

‘How the hell does that girl with Damien know so much about the international underground world?‘ Cruz thought, a flicker of dread and suspicion tightening his chest.

He felt humiliated–totally deflated and suddenly insecure.

After barking out a few tough–sounding threats, he lost all interest in checking out suits at the boutique.

Muttering angrily, he snatched his date and beat a hasty retreat, barely stopping to look back.

“Hey! Cruz?” Kurt yelled, snapping his head around as Cruz fled.

The bootlicker shot Nova a nasty glare, then dragged his own date and bolted after Cruz.

“Cruz, why are you even wasting time on some girl who doesn’t know jack?

“She’s just a dumb chick–ignore her!”

He blurted that out and dashed off.

Eskin, bringing up the rear, was definitely the best–looking of Cruz’s crew–smooth features and an easy charm that set him apart.

eyes.

He watched as the other four disappeared up ahead, paused for a split second, a hint of hesitation in his

Keeping his gaze forward, Eskin edged closer and, barely above a whisper, quietly warned Nova and Damien,

“Cruz’s got something up his sleeve. Don’t underestimate him. Watch yourselves.”

With that, Eskin slipped right back into the crowd like nothing had happened, grabbed his date, and strode off after Cruz and Kurt.

Nova watched their retreating backs, especially lingering on Eskin, whose warning still echoed in her mind.

She lazily crossed her arms, glancing at Eskin with a spark of interest as he was the last one to leave.

She leaned her slim, youthful form comfortably against Damien’s chest.

Damien was so tall that, even with her head resting on his chest, she couldn’t get anywhere near his chin.

She asked, her tone playful and curious,

“Who is he? And why’d he stick up for you?”

Damien reached out, his large hand cupping her cheeks with ease.

He firmly guided her face away from Eskin, steering her gaze back to himself so she was looking right at him.

Damien really didn’t appreciate the way Nova kept watching Eskin–his mood soured instantly.

Once he had her attention, Damien’s deep, magnetic voice drifted down from above, soft and gentle.

“My mother saved him once,” Damien murmured quietly.

That’s why he wanted to help.

Even though Eskin ran with Cruz and the crew, ever since they were little, every time Cruz brought a whole squad to mess with Damien, Eskin always kept out of it–never once stooped to join the bullying.

But Cruz’s gang was always so intimidating, Eskin didn’t dare to stand up for Damien out in the open.

That was all back when they were kids.

Even now that they were all grown up, Eskin still figured Damien could never really take on Cruz and the rest.

So he kept the old habit alive–quietly watching Damien’s back from the shadows, just like when they were

younger.

“Oh, so that’s how it is…”

Nova just tipped her chin. Not even bothering to lift her head, she reached out and tugged Damien’s collar

down.

With her other hand, she let her fingers skim lightly across his sharp features.

The tips of her fingers slid over his smooth skin, dipping to his chest, and then kept drifting lower….

Suddenly, Nova looked up at Damien, giving him a devilish smile that could make anyone weak in the knees.

She spoke each word slowly, claiming him with a teasing, possessive dominance.

“So, my darling boy toy, that’s the kind of past you’ve been hiding, huh?

“This time, hands off.

“Just let me handle it.

“I won’t let anyone mess with you again, because…

“Only I get to mess with you!”