Page 43 of The Secrets of Roan Island

“I can look for it,” Ruby volunteers.

Hating the idea of being separated from her, I stand on impulse and put my hand on the small of Ruby’s back.

I’m over taken by a sharp pain like talons digging into my gut and ripping flesh from bone. My father’s power. I break contact with Ruby and struggle to breathe through the agony spreading through my torso. The pain vanishes as quickly as it came, nothing more than a warning, but my muscles are locked in place, unable to move.

“Jafeth.” Hammish nods at my brother, who returns to the party under the pretense of looking for a knife we all know he’ll never find. Then my father takes a few steps closer to Ruby. “You must be quite shaken by all of this, Miss Rose. A delicate flower like yourself shouldn’t witness such horrors.” He takes her hand, a false gesture of empathy, and I almost lunge at him, but Shemaiah grabs my arm. Another quick stab of pain comes from my father, along with a smug smile in my direction. “I hope you’ll forgive my son for his violence. Noah can be… temperamental.”

I hate the derision in his tone almost as much as I hate the way Ruby tenses beside me. All my attention goes to her. Her quick breaths. The note of fear in her scent. Her voice shakes a little when she speaks. “Noah took necessary action. He was protecting me.”

“That may be so, but–”–Hammish waves a hand in the direction of the unconscious man on the floor–“excessive. Don’t you think?”

Ruby glances at her ex-husband.

My father tucks her hand into his elbow. “Allow me to escort you back to the party, my dear. We’ll get you a drink.” He flashes white teeth at me. “It’ll help you relax.”

The thought of letting Ruby out of my sight for even a moment makes my pulse spike, but letting her go with my father is unbearable. The hunger for her rises, crests on my tongue and dives down to my cock. I need her. Before I can think better of it, a growl leaves my chest. “I’m going with her.”

Pain surges again. I fight the agony, focusing on the desire I have for Ruby, and it cools. But only slightly. “I only meant she might–”

Quiet, a silent command screams in my mind. I grit my teeth.You’ll do well to remember the last time you challenged me, Noah.

As my father increases his power, helplessness eats away at my insides and sweat breaks out across my brow. He learned a long time ago that punishing someone I care about is more effective than punishing me directly. The last time I outright challenged him, Zarah suffered. I can’t let that happen to Ruby.

Hating myself, I drop my head in submission.

Ruby takes in the silent exchange with wide eyes, clearly not understanding what’s happening. Carefully, she says, “Thank you for the offer, Mr. Roan, but I think I would prefer retiring to my rooms. This isn’t the kind of party I’m used to.” She lets out a nervous giggle. It’s out of character, an intentional choice to play to my father’s view of her as weak, to convince him to let her go to bed.

“That’s what makes it all the more delightful, Miss Rose.” He smirks at me, though the words are said to Ruby. Bastard.“I would be honored to show you what kind of pleasures can be found at a party like this.”

The growl in my chest can’t pass my magically sealed lips, which just makes his smile widen. Rage turns me feral. If I wasn’t under my father’s control, if Shemaiah wasn’t gripping my arm hard enough to bruise… Fuck! The animal inside of me roars against its cage. I have no idea if my father is just doing this to toy with me or if he actually wants her, but it doesn’t matter. He’s touching Ruby—my Ruby—and I want to tear him apart for it.

“Father.” Shemaiah speaks for the first time, his manner as infuriatingly relaxed as always. “Perhaps Miss Rose needs some peace and quiet after having a weapon drawn on her.” He pauses just long enough for me to see his brain working as he examines our father. “Most women grow weak at the sight of blood.” He tilts his head toward David, who is starting to revive.

Shemaiah has always done a better job defusing Hammish.

“I do feel a bit light headed,” Ruby says.

“I’ll escort you to bed.” Hammish’s smile is that of a wolf near a lamb.

I grind my teeth. Ruby takes a quick breath. “I can find my way. You should get back to the party. You’re the host. I’m sure your guests are wondering where you are.”

My father’s attention briefly flicks to the curtain hiding us from the festivities. The noise has increased since he entered our alcove. The music has a more percussive beat. The moans and grunts, bolder. This is the time of night when the party truly escalates.

Ruby glances at me before returning her attention to Hammish, batting her eyes like a coy school girl, which I know she isn’t. “Perhaps we can have a private tea together tomorrow. To discuss my grant, of course.”

I hate my helplessness, but I have to admit I’m impressed by Ruby. I’ve never seen anyone play Hammish so well before. He doesn’t realize she’s doing it, and it makes me swell with a strange sort of pride that I do.

There’s a tense silence before Hammish acquiesces. “I’ll look forward to it.” He brings her knuckles to his lips. “Until tomorrow, Miss Rose.”

Ruby curtsies, then leaves with hurried steps. I can’t take my eyes off the slip of her red dress as she weaves through the crowd and disappears from my sight.

Hammish turns and looks at me.

“How did her ex get an invitation?”

“I’ll check with Mr. Gray.” Shemaiah’s eyes slide to me. “Perhaps he missed something in his vetting.”

“Do that,” Hammish says, then turns and leans closer to me. “If you ever slight me like that in public again, Noah, I will end you. I don’t give a fuck that we’re small in number. Better yet, I will hurtherand tell her it’s your fault.” Despite the pain coursing through my muscles, I turn cold. Ruby isn’t the only one he could be referring to.

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