Page 98 of His Black Onyx

Raad scoffs. "Cute. Very cute."

He looks at me, still with that condescending shadow cast over his face. He's a handsome man, for sure. But there's something about him that seems wrong, just plain wrong. Comparing the two of them, it's hard to imagine that he's supposed to be the golden son, while Nate is framed as the black sheep of the family.

But that's indeed what happened, I remember. He was framed for a misdeed that his brother brought about, and even though he might be the one who's been involved in petty crime from an early age, his older brother is anything but innocent.

His presence is unnerving, to say the least—and the way he looks at me doesn't go unnoticed by Nate. His grip around me tightens, as if he feels the need to protect me.

And maybe he does.

"Don't worry, she's not my type," Raad says in a dismissive way.

My mouth drops open with indignation. "Excuse me?"

"Don't mind him," Nate says, piercing down his brother through narrow eyes. "His manners with women are... lacking, to say the least."

Raad lets out another sinister scoff, but much to my relief, he takes a step back, gesturing toward the seating area.

"How about we continue this little banter with a drink in hand?" He says, a crooked smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He doesn't wait for a response, but turns his back to us and walks away, confident that we'll follow.

Nate and I exchange a quick look and he shrugs, winking at me, before we join his oddly unsettling brother at the table.

My pulse is racing, chased by a blend of fear and excitement, a toxic mix that has been a loyal companion ever since I first met Nate.

But the taste is sweeter now, familiar and welcoming.

Because I know I am safe, no matter what.

I know I'll always be safe with him.

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