Nero (Made Men #1)

Nero was toying with a helpless guy, letting him get close to take a shot, but then he would strike out, punching him in the face. The guy was too slow and dumb to stop him.

Elle moved her eyes to Amo when he reached out and took a guy in a chokehold, his feet dangling high off the ground. What really drew Elle’s attention was Vincent. He was fighting off two guys, making them end up hitting each other when Vincent would move out of the way. The one to recover first came back at Vincent, kneeing him in the groin and making him fall to his knees. Vincent recovered quickly, taking the guy’s head in his hand and kneeing him right in the face, making him completely fall to the ground. Vincent laughed as he walked toward the other guy, now begging. Still laughing, he picked him up by his shirt, making him stand.

Vincent cocked his fist back. “You piece of shit.” Punch in the face. “Motherfucker.” Another punch in the face. The guy toppled over to the ground, and Vincent put his shoe over his hand flat on the ground. “Don’t ever touch my sister again.” Vincent picked his foot up then smashed his hand, making the poor guy scream in pain.

As two girls winced inside the circle, Elle figured one of them must be his sister.

Elle returned her eyes to the three guys now laughing at the destruction they had caused. Elle then looked at the four unmoving on the floor. They were a bloody mess.

Elle looked up and took a step forward. “Nero?”

She watched the three guys cease their laughing and look toward her.

Nero looked at her like she was crazy. “Elle, what the hell are you doing here?”

Elle thought he acted like he definitely didn’t ask her to be here. “You texted me to come here.” When he still looked confused, she repeated his text, “Meet me at Poison, urgent?”

Nero shook his head, still confused. “I didn’t text you.”

Elle saw three girls appear in glittery, tight dresses. They each wrapped their arms around Nero, Amo, and Vincent.

“That was so fucking hot,” the one holding Nero around his waist said.

Elle stepped forward. “Who are you?”

Nero, stunned, went to push her off and tried to speak, but she beat him to it.

“His date. And who the hell are you, bitch?” The girl spoke and looked just like Cassandra.

Elle backed up before the tears started to well in her eyes. She pushed through the crowd even though she heard Nero yelling her name. She ran as fast as she could through the people, starting to suffocate. She felt the shattering of her heart take place. Finally, she reached the doors taking her outside and greeted the cool air. Stopping to turn around, Chloe was right there, thankfully. She returned to her escape, going for Chloe’s car.

“Elle, stop!” Nero’s voice commanded again.

Elle stopped in place. I’m done doing what you say, and I’m fucking done running from you!

Elle quickly spun around and saw that Nero had stopped in his tracks along with Chloe, Amo, and Vincent, waiting to see what took place.

Elle picked up her feet faster and faster, heading right toward Nero. She could see the oh, shit written all over his face.

Elle hit as hard as she could on Nero’s chest, repeatedly making him back up a step with each hit. “Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you! fuck you!”

Nero grabbed her arms, stopping her. “Elle, it wasn’t what it looked like. I promise.”

Elle laughed mockingly through the tears that ran down her face. “Oh, it wasn’t what it looked like? Just like how yesterday it wasn’t what it looked like when you were sandwiched between two other fake blondes? You fucking promised me yesterday!"

Nero brought her closer to him. “I need you to trust me.”

Elle looked up into his emerald eyes. “I am sick of all your bullshit promises, and the ‘I give you my word.’” Elle’s shattering heart finally crumbled. “I will never ever trust you again, Nero.”

She watched Nero’s determined eyes. “Elle, listen—”

Elle spat in his face. “No! I’m done listening to you. I’m done doing what you ask. Don’t fucking talk to me again.” Elle’s voice rose louder. “Just leave me the fuck alone!” Elle snatched her arms back as the inside of her started picking up the broken pieces, attempting to place them back together.

Nero had been bad news from the start, and Elle had known it. Nero is not worth this.

She backed up and looked toward Chloe. “Let’s go.”

She watched Chloe’s face turn into one she had never seen before. Chloe walked up to Amo and kicked him right in his shin.

Amo grabbed his shin. “Ow! What the fuck did I do?”

“You should be ashamed of yourself. And you, too.” She pointed to Vincent as he backed up a few steps. “I know you put him up to this.”

Chloe turned around and stomped off toward Elle. When she passed Nero, she stopped. “I have nothing to say to you. You know what you just lost.”

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