Page 98 of A Silence So Divine

I don’t conceal the narrowing of my eyes.

Richie inches nearer, leering over Eden. His breath is nauseatingly sour from various liquors.

“You got a name? Or is it Reaper?”

“She doesn’t speak,” I interject, pressing my palm to his chest until he takes a step back.

Both men look perplexed, eyeing her up and down.

“Why not?” AJ asks, shooting me a look of disbelief.

I scoff and shake my head incredulously.

“Because it’ll fucking kill you, that’s why.”

Technically not true, but they don’t need to know that. Their lack of intimidation is grating on my nerves.

There’s a moment of contemplation, and I can feel Eden scoot a hair across her seat until her shoulder brushes my bicep. The men track the movement, and though innocent enough, Ireallywish she hadn’t done that.

“No fucking way,” Richie bursts out, releasing a piggish snort. “She likes you!”

AJ laughs too, throwing his head back. It draws more unwanted attention from those around us, and I grind my molars together.

I have to remedy the situation. Fast.

Looking to Eden, I lift my lips into a cruel smirk. Her brows pinch together for only a moment.

“I found a way to make her behave. Isn’t that right?” My voice is cold, and even though I warned Eden, I can tell from the twitch of her lips that it’s struck a chord.

More laughter ensues, and I force out an amused huff of my own.

AJ quiets first, taking yet another step into Eden’s personal space. She presses closer to me.

“You’re always silent, huh?” He leans in until his face is level with hers. There’s a grin on his lips, but his hatred spoils it. “I’m not sure I believe that. I’ll bet you make some pretty noises while he’s fucking you.”

An anger like I’ve never known burns through me. Eden’s cheeks burn a vibrant red, and she averts her gaze.

Gripping him by the shoulder, I shove him back so hard that Richie has to steady him.

“If I wanted to stick my cock in a monster, I would call your mother,” I snarl, relishing in AJ’s stunned silence. Richie, on the other hand, lets out a startled guffaw.

I don’t want to know what Eden’s reaction to my words might be, so I pointedly look anywhere but toward her.

With a promise that they’ll see Eden soon, the men finally disappear into the sea of people.

Another hour passes, and the party reaches its climax. The music has doubled in volume, and the LED lights have begun pulsing to the rhythm. Most everyone is inebriated, and those who aren’t have disappeared to do God knows what. It’s the perfect time to make our escape.

“C’mon,” I mumble, taking the last swig from my glass. The liquid burns its way down, and I suck at my teeth. Eden slides from the stool, following close as I lead the two of us through the crowd. No one even looks in our direction, too wrapped up in their own guilty pleasures. The tension in my shoulders has eased minutely from the whiskey, but I’m not ignorant enough to let my guard down.

We make it to my truck without a hitch. Both of us breathe a little easier than we did on the way here. It went about as good as it could, all things considered. I try not to think too much about AJ and Richie’s words, or the way the men leered at Eden. I’m not blind, Iknowshe’s beautiful. But they don’t just view her as a beautiful woman. They view her as something to conquer. And I’ll be damned if I let that happen.

Eden is so still in her seat that I assume she’s sleeping, so I don’t bother filling the silence. The only sound is the patter of spring rain and the repetitive slide of windshield wipers. It's almost peaceful. So peaceful that my mind wanders to a different reality. One where the world is different–wherewe’redifferent.

I’d be driving us home after a night on the town. Maybe we went to a nice restaurant and gorged ourselves on expensive wine and free bread. Maybe we laughed at something our waiter said. Maybe she did get to wear a pretty dress, and men would look, but only for a second.

And Eden and I are… friends. Or something.

The inside of my cheek is raw from the slice of my teeth, and I scowl. Carding my fingers through my hair, I blow out a harsh breath. This is the reality of our situation, and there’s not a thing I can do to change that.