Page 9 of Unhallowed

“If you can go put on some clothes, please.” Draven rolls his eyes in irritation and I chuckle, going back to my room. He knows damn well I’m naked most of the time, or at least half-naked. Before I close the door he says, “I need you to help me keep her company for an hour while I run an errand.”

Perfect.

“So you want me to be your babysitter? I may be your soulmate, but even they don’t pay me enough for that.”

“Watch your mouth, Killian,” he snaps. “There are some things I haven’t explained.”

“Oh?” I raise an eyebrow at him. “Whatever, I’ll keep her.” I wink, yet I find myself meaning it. Maybe I want what he could have but doesn’t yet. Maybe I reallywillkeep her.

“Just keep your mouth shut.” He huffs and I close my door to get dressed.

I’ll be honest, I don’t intend to keep my mouth shut. Instead, I want to run it. I want to make her trust me, though I don’t think it’ll happen in such a short period of time.

According to Draven, he hasn’t told her much, which I think is so irresponsible. If she were mine I’d tell her much more, if only to keep her safe. I wouldn’t tell her everything, but enough to appease her and give her an idea of what the hell she’s getting into. Is he even giving her a choice? I wouldn’t give her one, not really. I’d just let her know she’s going to be part of something much more powerful—bigger—than she can imagine.

I think I’m not going to keep my mouth shut at all.

Putting on a pair of gray sweats that hang low on my hips, I throw the door open for Angel. Draven scowls when her eyes linger on me and her face heats.

“Can’t you wear a shirt?” he asks, gesturing with his hand at my naked torso.

“No. It’s this or nothing.”

I kind of want to taunt her, see if I affect her even a little bit. I don’t know why though, maybe I’m just bored. This could be fun, especially because it’s really pushing Draven’s buttons. I do love pushing his buttons, I love everything about it.

“Whatever,” he mutters. “Just watch her and don’t let anyone talk to her until I get home.”

That I do have to agree with. Our father is a scary motherfucker, and she doesn’t need to be intimidated yet. She will be when she’s part of the marriage ritual. AsDux, the leader, he will be in charge of conducting the marriage ceremony, and well the other part of it. Until she’s married, she technically doesn’t have the right to know shit. But I’m going to divulge a few secrets.

Vivimus per praecepta, morimur per praecepta.

We live by the rules, we die by the rules.

I won’t break any, I’ll justbendthem.

Like I want to do to her, too.

I step out of the way and she enters my bedroom cautiously, as if I might bite her and take a chunk out. She’s not wrong, I could. Iwantto. Either way, her chin is raised high and there’s strength in her gait, not cowering at all.

Angel walks in just as Draven walks away without looking back. I could easily take her to the living room just beyond my room, but I don’t want to. For some sick, twisted reason I want her in my bed.

I gesture to the bed and say, “Get comfortable, baby girl.”

Her eyes snap up to mine again, and her face burns anew. She seems uncomfortable and I fucking love it. I want her on edge around me, always unsure of my next move. Whether I’ll be nice or a fucking asshole. Whether I’ll make her feel good or used and abused.

“On the bed?” She looks at the black silk sheets for a moment, then around at the dark gray walls. Unlike my brother, I actually care about how this room looks, no matter if I have my own house or not. If I’m going to spend any amount of time here, I’m going to mark it withme.

“Do you see any other furniture?”

She breathes in deeply. “Is there nowhere else to go?”

I chuckle at her boldness already, the little attitude she has with me because I’ve annoyed her. “Nowhere I want to take you.”

“Fine.” She all but stomps toward the bed and crawls across it, settling in on the side where I sleep. There’s already pillows propped up and she sits up against the headboard, arranging them to where she’s comfortable. I look at her for a bit, admiring her, and she turns her head to glance at me with narrowed eyes. “Are you going to stare at me all day?”

“Maybe.” I wink, getting on the bed beside her. We look at each other, and I’ll give it to her, she’s braver than I thought. She doesn’t hesitate at all as she maintains eye contact and lifts her chin. She’s feisty, this one. “You’re very pretty.”

Her face heats again. I think this girl never stops blushing, or maybe she’s pissed off. “How about we start over? Because I don’t think Draven would appreciate you calling me pretty.”

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