Page 112 of Devilish Ink

Rian’s boot.

Wiping her hand across her mouth, Ry said in a hollow voice, “I thought you were going to lunch.”

My brother’s eyes burned still with hate-fueled fire as he glared at me.

“I figured it would be nice to bring you something back,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “You know, since we used to be friends.”

He knelt to the floor to pick up the bottle.

The parlour was washed in a deadly silence except for the clatter of pills as he shifted it around in his palm to read the label. The words were right there on the front. Unavoidable.

“You’re…pregnant?” Rian said, breaking the silence as if with a hammer.

It was like shattering the window of a car submerged in a lake. All I heard now was a violent gushing of blood against my ears.

“Rian,” Ry said, taking a step forward.

I came to stand beside Ry, shouldering in front of her, fists balled my sides, eyes focused, ready to defend her if Rian attacked, if he even dared to raise his voice.

Rian lifted his head.

But there was no fight in Rian’s gaze. Rather he looked emptied. Like he’d lost too much blood too quickly.

My guts twisted. I was prepared for a fight. I wasn’t prepared for this.

His voice was hollow. “The way Aurnia and Rachel kept whispering and touching your belly… And Mason would jump every time you had to carry the smallest thing. Even Conor wouldn’t let you hold the damn door yourself…”

Fuck. I watched as Ry’s face fell apart.

I grabbed her hand and squeezed, letting her know I wasn’t letting her go through this alone.

“They all knew…” Rian said. “Everyone knew except—”

“We were going to tell you…” I said, because I had to say something.

Ry’s face was already tracking with tears, her eyes round with guilt, her hand trembling in mine.

Rian made a choking sound.

“Him, I expected something like this from. But you…” He turned his eyes to Ry and lanced her with his stare. “You…”

“That’s not fair,” I said, defending her.

Rian ignored me as he stumbled back, shaking his head. “By the time I get back I want you gone.”

“Rian, please,” Ryleigh cried.

“You are dead to me.”

He turned and fled into the streets, the little bell clanging violently above the door before it slammed shut.

“Rian!” Ry shouted.

I caught her wrist when she went to dart out after him.

“You need to give him time,” I said.

Ry stood there staring after him. She stood like that for a silent minute; I counted the seconds by the now sluggish thudding of my heartbeats.

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