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CHAPTER3
Aurelia
Ifeel hollow as the car drives us back to Zeke’s home. My brother is sitting next to me and hasn’t said a word the entire journey. I’m glad. I don’t want to discuss my night again. I just want to forget it ever happened.
My brothers think they can protect me from Charlotte, but they’re wrong. When our mother has her mind set on something, there is no stopping her. She has a vision of who should be my husband and she’s going to follow that through, no matter the cost.
I’m scared.
I’ll admit it.
I know how these marriages go. The priest won’t care that I say no. He’ll be too afraid of my mother. I’ll be married against my will.
Lord Huntsville doesn’t seem like a terrible human, but he’s not who I want.
Who I do want is off limits.
Ryan Malone.
He is Zeke’s bodyguard. He was also the person who comforted me after Jeremiah Wood kidnapped me and Sariah.
My brothers were focused on my sister-in-law—rightly so, she was nearly raped—and on the man who did it.
I was an afterthought for everyone but Ryan.
I was his first thought.
There have been a few moments recently between us that could be construed as something more. Like tonight.
The way he carried me from the lift to the car. He shouldn’t have touched me, even to help me like that, but Ryan did what he wanted.
I cast a glance at him. His eyes are on the road, but I can see him in the rear-view mirror. He seems angry. His mouth is pulled into a tight line and his forehead is furrowed.
As if he can sense me looking at him, his gaze lifts and he finds mine. I should look away, but I’m magnetised to him. My heartrate starts to pick up and my neck feels warm. The possessiveness in his eyes makes my mouth water.
“Are you all right?” Zeke asks, bringing my attention back to him.
“I am now.”
“It was brave of you to run the way you did.”
“It’s not brave to fight for survival, Zeke.”
“The prick they wanted you to marry—what do you know about him?”
“Nothing. He’s a lord. Charlotte has something on him. Something bad. He wasn’t into the idea of marrying me until she brought that up.”
“I wonder who he is and why the old hag wants him in our circle. He must have some influence if Charlotte thinks he’ll be of use to us.”
“Who knows why Charlotte does any of the things she does,” I say, my voice tired. I’m exhausted. My body feels drained, as if someone let the plug out of me.
“True.”
Neither of us speaks again until we reach Zeke’s house. Ryan gets out of the car and comes to the back door. His eyes are everywhere as Zeke climbs out. I shift across the seat and get out of the same side.
Ryan locks his attention on me for a moment, and I can see he wants to say something, but he can’t. Not with Zeke standing inches from me.
“Into the house,” he finally murmurs.
