29. Sarod

29

SAROD

I stand there, watching Connie sprawled on the ground, her face contorted with rage. Her words spew forth like venom, but they don't sting like they used to. They're just empty threats now, bouncing off my hardened exterior. She's listing off names, bragging about all the "better orcs" she's been with since our breakup. Each name she drops is like a pathetic attempt to wound me, but I feel nothing.

"You think I've been pining after you, Sarod? Ha!" she screeches, her eyes wild with fury. "I've had my pick of the strongest, most virile warriors in Orcland. They make you look like a pathetic little bitch!"

I feel Josie tense beside me, her small hand gripping my arm. The warmth of her touch is a stark contrast to the cold hatred radiating from Connie. But I don't react. Not a muscle twitches. Not a flicker of emotion crosses my face. I'm a stone wall, unmoved by Connie's pathetic display. Inside, though, I'm seething. Not because of her words, but because of how I once let this woman have power over me. Never again.

Connie's eyes narrow to slits, her gaze raking over me like claws searching for any weakness, any chink in my armor. She's desperate to see me bristle, to watch jealousy and anger flare in my eyes like it used to. But there's nothing there for her now. I'm a blank slate, impenetrable and unmoved.

"What's the matter, Sarod?" she spits, her voice dripping with venom. "Did someone cut your tongue out? Or has this human whore made you soft?" The last word comes out as a sneer, meant to wound and provoke.

I don't rise to the bait. Instead, I glance down at Josie, her warm brown eyes meeting mine. They're filled with concern, but also trust and something else - something that makes my heart swell. In that moment, I realize why Connie's words mean nothing to me. It's because I have everything I need right here, standing beside me. Josie's presence is like a shield, deflecting Connie's barbs and reminding me of what truly matters.

"You done?" I ask, turning back to Connie. My voice is calm, almost bored. I can feel the tension radiating off her, but it doesn't affect me like it used to. There's a strange sense of peace settling over me, knowing I'm finally free from her toxic grip.

She blinks, caught off guard by my indifference. "What?" Her voice wavers, uncertainty creeping in where arrogance once reigned.

"I said, are you done? 'Cause if you are, you can see yourself out." I jerk my thumb towards the gate, not bothering to hide my impatience. The sooner she's gone, the better.

Connie's mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water. She's not used to this version of me – the one who doesn't rise to her bait, who doesn't give a shit if she's been fucking all of Orcland. Hell, I'm not used to this version of me either, but damn if it doesn't feel good.

I feel Josie's grip on my arm relax slightly. She leans into me. Without hesitation, I wrap my arm around Josie's waist, pulling her close. It feels right, like she belongs there.

"You heard him," Josie says, her voice steady and strong. "Time for you to leave." There's an iciness in her tone that makes me want to grin. This little human's got more backbone than half the orcs I know.

I give Connie a pointed look, daring her to say something else. But for once, it seems the great Connie is at a loss for words. Good. Maybe now she'll finally get the message and leave us the fuck alone.

Connie scrambles to her feet, her face flushed with humiliation. Her perfectly coiffed hair is now a mess, and I can see the mask of superiority she usually wears cracking. "This isn't over, Sarod. You'll regret choosing this... this bitch over me!" she spits, her voice trembling with rage.

I can't help but chuckle, the sound rumbling deep in my chest. "The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner," I growl, tightening my grip on Josie. The feel of her small, warm body against mine is intoxicating, and I have to resist the urge to nuzzle her hair right there in front of Connie.

I watch as Connie's face twists with disbelief, her eyes widening in shock. Her gaze darts between Josie and me, searching for any sign of weakness, any crack in our united front. But there's none to be found. We're solid as a fucking mountain, Josie and I.

"Sarod, please. Don't you remember the times we used to have? They were so fun. You and I, we could've had it all," she pleads, her voice taking on a desperate edge that I've never heard before. It's almost pathetic, really. "Just give me five minutes. Alone. That's all I'm asking." Her hands are clasped in front of her, knuckles white with tension. For a moment, I almost feel sorry for her. Almost.

I shake my head, feeling pure disgust for the woman in front of me. "Not happening, Connie. We're done here. There's nothing left to say between us."

Her desperation morphs into rage, her face contorting in a way that makes her once-beautiful features ugly. "You can't do this to me!" she shrieks, her voice rising to a pitch that grates on my ears. "After everything we've been through? All the years we spent together?"

I've had enough of this shit. "Greta!" I call out, my voice booming across the garden, echoing off the stone walls. "We need some assistance out here! Now!"

Connie's eyes widen as she realizes what's happening, fear replacing the anger in her gaze. "No, you wouldn't dare-" she starts, her voice trembling.

But I would. And I am. I've put up with her manipulative shit for far too long, and it ends today. As I hear Greta's hurried footsteps approaching, I stand my ground, ready to have this nuisance removed from my property once and for all.

Greta appears at the mansion's entrance, her tall figure silhouetted against the light from inside. "Yes, Master Sarod?"

"Please escort Ms. Connie off the property," I say, my tone leaving no room for argument.

Connie grits her teeth. As Greta approaches, Connie lashes out with the speed of a falling star, her hand connecting with Greta's face with a sharp crack that echoes through the garden. The sound makes my blood boil.

"Hey!" Josie exclaims. "What the fuck do you think you're doing? You don't get to treat Greta like that!"

"Shut the fuck up, you bitch!" Connie spits, pointing an accusatory finger at Josie. "You must feel powerful, huh? Thinking you have Sarod by your side? This won't last! He always gets bored and moves on to the next bitch who can open his legs for him!"

"You're irritating me, Connie," I deadpan, cracking my knuckles. "Keep talking your shit and I might just rip out your throat myself."

"Nice threats, you abusive bastard. I'm not going anywhere!" she shrieks, her voice reaching a pitch that sets my teeth on edge. "You can't just throw me out like yesterday's trash!"

That does it. I've had enough of her shit. My patience, already stretched thin, snaps like a bowstring.

I gently push Josie behind me, my hand lingering for a moment on her arm in a gesture of reassurance. Then I step forward, my jaw clenched so tight I can hear my teeth grinding. In two long strides, I'm towering over Connie, my shadow engulfing her smaller frame. I grab her wrist as she winds up for another swing at Greta, my grip firm enough to make her gasp.

"That's enough," I growl, rumbling from deep in my chest. The sound is more animal than orc, a primal warning. "You want to act like an animal? Fine. I'll treat you like one. And trust me, you won't like it."

I hoist Connie up, her slight frame no match for my strength. I ignore her kicks and screams, her flailing limbs nothing more than an annoyance as I carry her towards the gate. With one arm wrapped around her waist, I stride forward, her fists pounding uselessly against my broad chest. The impact is barely noticeable, like raindrops on stone.

"Put me down, you brute!" she shrieks, her voice shrill and grating in my ears. "I'll ruin you for this, Sarod! You'll never play zyrphix again when I'm through with you! Do you hear me? I'll destroy everything you've worked for!"

I clench my jaw, forcing myself to ignore her threats. They're as empty as her promises of love had been. My focus remains on getting her off my property as quickly as possible, my long strides eating up the distance to the gate. As we reach it, I set her down none too gently on the other side, my hands itching to be rid of her.

"Stay away from me, Connie," I warn, my voice as cold and hard as steel. My amber eyes bore into hers, conveying the seriousness of my words. "And stay the fuck away from Josie. If I see you here again, I won't be so nice. Trust me, you don't want to test me on this."

"Fuck you!" Connie screams, pounding her fist on the gate. "I just wanted to talk to you! I'm… I'm struggling right now, Sarod, don't you see that? And I need your help!"

"And what happened to all those other orcs you've been with?" I ask, perking a brow. My voice drips with sarcasm as I continue, "Have they gotten rid of your ass, too? I don't blame them. Must be exhausting, dealing with your screaming day in and day out."

"Sarod!" Connie hangs on the gate, her knuckles turning white from her grip. Her eyes are wild, desperate. "Sarod, please! I need money! You don't understand how bad things are!"

"I knew it," I say, shaking my head in disgust. The pieces fall into place, and I can't help but laugh bitterly. "I fucking knew you had some ulterior motives to showing up around here. It's always about what you can get, isn't it? Fuck off, Connie. It's not gonna happen. Not now, not ever."

"No!" she shrieks, rattling the gate. "You can't do this to me!"

I stare at her, really seeing her for the first time. How was I blind for so long? Why did I tolerate her shit when this is how ugly and disgusting she's always been? The entitlement, the manipulation, the sheer audacity of it all.

Now that I have Josie, the difference is night and day. It's like comparing a precious stone to a lump of coal. Josie's warmth, her genuine care... it makes Connie's toxicity stand out even more. And I'll be damned if I ever give Josie up for a piece of trash like her.