Page 55 of Godless Saints

I leaned against the door, arms loose at my sides, a slow smile pulling at my mouth. God, every version of him was my favorite.

“Missed you, Moonshine.”

His face went flat. Then he moved. Fast.

He slammed into me chest-first, driving me back against the door with wet skin and barely contained violence. His fist twisted my shirt. Fabric bit my throat. Heat poured off him, soap, blood, three days of pure rage. I smiled wider, unable to help it.

“Keep smiling,” he hissed. “I’ll fix it for you.”

My smile widened, dark. Fuck, I loved this side of him.

“You never fucking cease to impress me, Moonshine.” Thumb brushed his jaw. “Never know which version I’m getting. But I like the aggressive one.”

His fist tightened, knuckles white. “I know about the Writ.”

My body locked up. Moon saw it immediately. His lips curled in bitter pleasure.

“There it is,” he breathed, leaning in until his mouth hovered a breath from mine. “Finally something honest.”

Wood bit into my spine. His forearm stayed across my chest. Pulse jumped once under the gauze at his collarbone.

I didn’t look away.

Oh.

Fuck.

No.

For one dangerous second I couldn’t hide it. The guilt. The want. The fucked up thrill of him pinning me down and seeing straight through me.

Moon’s grip didn’t loosen.

He stared at me like he was waiting for another lie. I didn’t give him one. For once.

“Who told you?”

Moon’s laugh came out short and bitter. He shoved me harder against the door, pinning me there with his forearm across my chest. “That’s your fucking concern right now?”

“Moonsh—”

“Don’t,” he said. “Don’t fucking call me that.”

My mouth shut. His chest heaved against mine. Damp skin soaked my shirt. Anger fractured in his eyes, still burning, edges cracking. His hand stayed flat on my chest. Not pushing me away anymore. Just holding on.

“Your friend Declan Carrick told me.” His voice shook once, barely. He killed it fast. “Didn’t know the two Irish heirs had so much in common.”

“He’s not my friend.”

“No?” Moon’s mouth twisted. “Just despicable in the same dialect, then.”

My teeth ground together. I wanted to break Declan’s face for this.

“Did he touch you?”

Moon’s eyes flashed, but the rage was fading, leaving only exhaustion and hurt behind. “Don’t.”

“Answer me.”