He barely glanced at me. “Don’t slow him down. I don’t want to see you again.”
I scoffed, heat crawling up my neck. “You’re an asshole.”
Now, when he looked at me, his eyes slid past mine and landed lower—on the bridge of my nose, where my freckles marked my skin. Once, he traced them like they were constellations only he could see. Now, he couldn’t even look me in the eye, and it felt like losing him all over again.
“And you’re a problem. Glad we are being honest.”
God, how can someone be this much of a jerk? I heard the rumours about him. Cold. Ruthless. Heartless. And yet those damn memories creep in. How sweet he used to be with me, back when we were younger. What he has sacrificed for his family.
I force myself to remember—the dark magic crawling under his skin, the pieces of him buried beneath that cold mask. I know there's more to him than what he shows, but knowing doesn’t stop the other part of me that wants to grab him and smash his head into the nearest wall.
Repeatedly.
Kieran stepped in behind me, his hand brushing my arm, and I turned to face him. My pulse quickened at those storm-grey eyes and the ghost of a smirk tugging one corner of his mouth.
“Pretty sure he’s been an asshole since birth, temptress.”
The nicknames didn't faze me anymore—not when his touch lingered on my skin longer than it should have. When he finally let go, his hand dragged down his face, tracing over the scar and the rough stubble that made him look dark, untamed… and far too irresistible for my own good.
I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry, and my chest felt warm from how close he was. The scent—dark chocolate and spiced bourbon—wrapped around me, sinking deep into my skin, and it made me want to lick him.
Ugh, what is wrong with me?
I need to leave, like now.
I peered over my shoulder. “If I didn’t have to leave, I’d kick your ass.” Darian just scowled at me, like I was some annoying fly he wanted to swat.
I didn’t miss the husky chuckle that Kieran let slip.
“Let’s go.” We turned just as a woman strutted up to the door—long black hair, legs for days, and what I assume was meant to be a green dress. Honestly, if she so much as sneezed, you’d geta full view of her underwear. And her breasts were practically hanging out.
She threw me and Kieran a scowl before sauntering past with a sugary smile aimed at Darian. He looked at her, and didn’t wear the usual glare he saved just for me since he saw me again. I felt it twist in my chest, that stupid sting. I know it shouldn’t bother me… but it did.
“Hey, handsome, who’s your friend?”
She leaned into him, soft smiles and fluttering lashes, and to my surprise, he didn’t pull away. He even smiled back; it was small, but he smiled at her. That was enough to knock the air from my lungs.
I shut my eyes for a beat, trying to force the ache down before it could rise any higher. Whatever they were, whoever she was to him… it didn’t matter. Not anymore.
Without a word, I pushed past Kieran and took the stairs, each step pulling me farther from the man who used to look at me like I was the only thing in his world.
The Whispering Woods were just up ahead, the sun had gone down, and the night sky was above us. More stars danced in the sky, but there was something off. Like something big was coming. Kieran didn’t say much as he walked next to me, just complaining that we should have ridden his motorbike, but that would have caught people’s attention.
I didn’t miss the way he kept twitching, licking his lips, probably wanting a drink, and I really wish I could help. I just want to help everyone, and trying to help Darian is getting me into a lot of mess.
I was worried for Ronan, and I had no idea if Darian would be with him. He’s more important than I am.
I stopped, grabbing hold of Kieran as I noticed a dark shadow running in the woods. He looked down at me, his brown hair moving in the wind.
“I need you to go back to Ronan,” I told him.
“I will when I drop you off at your place.”
I shook my head. “Go back now, I will be fine. Tell Ronan I will see him soon, and to not come for me.” He eyed me for a second.
“You and I both know I won’t be able to keep him away from you. The fucker loves you.” I blinked at him, eager to get into the woods away from them to keep them safe, but I wanted to hear what Kieran had to say.
“Just please, go, I have been on my own for a long time, it’s nothing new. But Ronan needs to know that I am okay.”
