Chapter 154


    154.  154. Jasper


    When my first blood-brothers died, the pain of the severed link reverberated through my entire


    being, crippling my soul for a long time. Being epted by other blood-brothers happens only on


    rare asions, so I resigned to my bleak fate. Then Rueben and the others forced their way into


    my life, and despite me not wanting a new link, somehow they tricked me. 0: so 1 told myself.


    I closed my heart to them, refusing to really see them as my blood-brothers even if I thought of


    them like that. I even convinced myself I wouldn’t care if they suddenly left me alone on the farm


    with the animals.


    When Ansel and Rueben entered the house, blood covering them, I realized how stu p i d I had


    been. Despite not wanting to see them as family, Rueben and Ansel are that and more.


    No matter how hard I tried to stop the bleeding and keep him alive, Rueben stopped breathing, the


    wound in his neck was fatal, making me realize how fragile human life is. Then a miracle


    happened-Olivia. Because how else can I refer to what she did? Rueben’s heart stopped beating,


    and yet, when she grabbed his hand, he not only started breathing. but she also saved the link that


    ties me to my blood-brothers.


    Rueben is unconscious but at least he is alive.


    Then Olivia faints. The thick rug absorbs most of the impact, but panic rises inside me, fearing how


    hard she had hit her head when she fell.


    Ansel rushes to pick her up, but I am faster. Besides, he has been shot as well. He should lie down


    and let me take care


    of Olivia.


    Where the f u c k is Maddox?


    1 gently stroke Olivia’s cheek. She is so pale and cold, but as long as she is breathing, I know she


    will be alright.


    “Can you bring me the first aid box?” I ask Ansel as I try to keep an eye on Rueben.


    “On it,” Ansel says and goes to the kitchen. He sounds like he is in shock.


    I don’t me him. If not witnessing with my own eyes more s h i t than I can remember, I would


    have thought I lost my


    mind.


    I know Rueben is not out of the woods, but my entire focus is on Olivia. Strands of her auburn hair


    cover her face and I gently brush them away before I check to see how hard she hit her head.


    When I don’t feel any bumps, I feel relieved. Thest thing she needs is a concussion.


    Once Maddox is here, he will take a look at her.


    I felt she was special from the first time I met her, but her actually having healing powers? It is


    clear I know so little about the women born to Dukes. Even to Lords. What if there is so much


    more to them than we were told? I never had sisters, only a deadbeat brother, but Rueben should


    know.


    Τ


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    Ansel stares at Olivia with an expression that can only mean one thing-obsession. I understand


    because right now, I feel the same. It’s funny how just one decision on her part captured my entire


    heart in mere moments.


    154 Jasper


    When we brought her home, she was nothing to me. She was just a woman to have fun with, even


    if the idea was to find a wife. I pushed that idea to the side when I learned she was the one who


    killed Cam, knowing Rueben wild never approve of her, but slowly, she wiggled her way into my


    heart. Spending time with her had been wonderful Every touch and kiss I gave her were genuine


    because I liked her


    But now?


    Now, I am obsessed.


    After she saved Ruchen’s life, there is no way in Hell I will ever let her go.


    I want to know everything about her. From her darkest secret to her each and every thought. What


    she likes, what hates. What makes her smile. I am yet to see her pretty face light up with


    happiness. No wonder she is sad all the Especially after everything that had happened to her since


    we found her in the forest. I am partially responsible for what Rueben and Tyson did to her. I could


    have stopped them before things escted. Because of my poor decision, Olivia paid the price. I


    know she said she forgives me, but I could tell she didn’t mean it. Even if it takes me a lifetime.


    1 will earn her trust and love.


    Before, I wanted to help her get better because I saw her as a project, but now-now it’s because


    she gave me something I never expected. Hope.


    Hope to finally have the family I have been dreaming about for so long.


    Hope to finally have a wife and find some peace andfort in her warm embrace.


    Hope that my demon won’t consume my soul because I want to bond Olivia to me, our lives


    forever entwined.


    My demon purrs his approval..


    I press my lips to Olivia’s brow. It took me only thirty-three years to find the woman who will


    be my wife. I let Rueben lead even if my demon is strong, but it will be my name on the


    marriage license. I want her to take my name so that every Lord and Duke in the city will know she


    belongs to me. To my blood-brothers as well.


    Ansel returns with the first aid kit and puts it next to Rueben. I ce Olivia on the bed before I take


    out bandages and wrap them around Rueben’s wounds, wanting to stop the bleeding. At this rate,


    he will die of blood loss.


    “What the f u c k just happened?” Ansel finally asks.


    “Olivia just saved his life,” I reply. “I think she has… healing powers.”


    Ansel pulls out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lights one. “Impossible,” he says after


    taking a long drag from his cigarette. His gaze is fixed on Olivia. “Humans don’t have that kind of


    power. If Rueben is alive, it’s because of your effort.”


    Shackled (The Lord Series)