The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 51

Rafael trembled where he sat, surrounded by rubble and the broken remains of his once-proud throne. Blood leaked from his nose, his lip was split, and one eye was already swelling shut.

Jaden stood still, chest heaving, eyes calm. Unforgiving.

Rafael’s pride shattered like glass. He dropped to his knees, his voice cracking as he kowtowed before Jaden’s boots.

“Please—please don’t kill me! I’ll give you anything. Money, offshore accounts, weapons, power—just… just spare me!”

Jaden looked down at him, unmoved. “I don’t forgive anyone who tries to harm my family.”

Rafael’s face twisted. He pressed his forehead to the floor again, but his right hand was slowly, carefully moving—sneaking toward his inner coat pocket.

Jaden’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Suddenly, Rafael leapt to his feet with surprising speed, holding something in his hand.

Click.

He held up a live grenade, thumb hovering over the pin.

“HA! You fucker! You really thought you had me cornered?” he screamed, grinning manically. “You make one more move, I swear to God, I’ll pull the pin! Everyone dies—including your sister!”

Julie gasped and backed into a corner, fear written all over her face.

Jaden didn’t flinch. His expression stayed unreadable, his body relaxed—but his eyes were locked onto Rafael like a hawk.

“You’re threatening me… with a grenade?” Jaden asked, voice cold and slow.

“I’m dead either way, right?! If I’m going down, I’m dragging all of you with me!” Rafael shouted, waving the grenade like a madman. “Let’s see you act tough now!”

Silence fell for a split second.

Then—

Blur.

In a movement too fast for the eye, Jaden disappeared.

WHUMP!

Rafael’s wrist was twisted back, the grenade snatched from his grip—and before he could even gasp, Jaden shoved it into his mouth, hard.

Click.

The pin was gone.

Rafael’s eyes went wide in terror as he felt the cold metal nestled against his tongue, the round bulk of the grenade forcing his mouth open unnaturally. His jaw clenched, the only thing keeping the spoon from releasing the explosive.

“What the… how…?” he choked in his thoughts, frozen. “How the hell did he move that fast?”

Jaden leaned in, his voice a razor’s whisper. “If you’ve ever used a grenade… you should know what comes next once the pin’s removed.”

Rafael whimpered, trying not to move his jaw. A single slip… and he’d be nothing but red mist.

Jaden smirked. “So if you want to stay alive, I suggest you hold on… really tight.”

He took a step back, then—

BAM!

A brutal punch landed in Rafael’s gut, folding him over—almost.

Jaden hugged her tightly, brushing her hair back gently. “It’s alright, Julie. I’m here now.”

“I was so scared…”

“I promise you,” he said quietly, “I’m going to kill every last one of them who dared touch you.”

Just then—

The door burst open.

Drax walked in, blood smeared across his arms and face, a wicked grin on his lips.

“Boss,” he said casually. “Corridor’s clear. I killed every last bastard guarding this place.”

Rafael’s eyes widened in horror. “What?! That’s impossible! I had over a hundred armed men out there!”

Drax cracked his neck, unfazed. “They screamed loud, if it helps. Some begged. Didn’t change anything.”

Jaden gave a nod. “Good. Take my sister. Get her out of here safely.”

“Yes, Boss,” Drax said. He gently took Julie’s hand, guiding her toward the exit. She looked back at Jaden one more time.

“Go,” Jaden said softly. “I’ll come for you.”

Then… he turned to Rafael.

The smile was gone. The warmth evaporated. Only cold death remained.

“Move.”