Page 17 of Tears of Ruin

What worried me was the farmhouse door. If it had opened for me, would Martin find a way to enter the castle too? Was Silo still inside of him, or had the demon exited my father’s body?

My life was so complicated, and I hated that it was. I’d just been shown the time of my life by guys I didn’t even know, yet my own flesh and blood hadn’t shown me even an ounce of compassion.

That was wrong on so many levels.

Worse, I was scheduled to work at six in the morning and I wasn’t sure what time it was. I hadn’t seen a clock in this place, so I had no idea if only a few hours had passed or if morning was already in full swing.

As intriguing as this castle was, sooner or later, I would have to return to the real world, and I would prefer not to find myself homeless because I no longer had a job.

Deep in thought, still riding my adrenaline wave, I didn’t notice him until I was nearly on top of him.

Then I backpedaled, my heart hammering.

Giovanni just stood there, his arms crossed, studying me as if he couldn’t figure out whether to toss me from the castle or gut me. Just like Malachi, his gaze was so intense I was choking on it. I wanted to run, but my legs felt like they belonged to someone else, rubbery and completely useless.

“Your entrance into our home is still a mystery.” His gaze swept over me, and I felt like I’d just been sized up for a coffin. I had always thought no one could look as evil as Martin, until I met Giovanni and Malachi.

They made Martin’s glare look like a simpering smile in comparison.

I tried to talk, to tell him the door had simply popped open, but I couldn’t force the words past my throat. He was so tall, lean with honed muscles, and could snap my neck with little effort.

My breath hitched, caught on the edge of raw panic.

When Giovanni lifted his arm, I immediately dropped into a crouch, covering my head. This time I didn’t have Kyson or Dane here to save me. I was alone, trapped in the hallway with someone who looked like a natural-born killer.

“I can fix this. I can fix this. I can fix this.” Tears welled up as I waited for the inevitable blow.

But… Giovanni hunkered down, tilting his head to look me in the eye. “Tell me you’re not here to hurt my family and I give you my word you have nothing to fear from me.”

I swallowed hard, but it felt like my throat had sealed shut.

Tremors racked me as he set his phone on the floor where I could see it then said, “Concentrate on the intricate designs. Fully focus on them as you slow your breathing. Deep breath in, slow breath out.”

“What in the fuck are you doing?” Richard erupted as the sound of his footsteps drew closer. “Why is Noam cowering in front of you?”

“I wasn’t hurting or threatening the male.” Each word rolled out like thunder trapped in a storm. “I owe you a debt I can never repay, but do not assume that gives you privileges over me.”

The back of Richard’s legs appeared in front of me, and I had a wild urge to grip his calves for safety.

“You owe me nothing, Giovanni, but you also don’t know me.” Every word was steeped in the kind of authority that dripped with power. “Noam is under my protection, and I take my duties very seriously.”

They fell silent, but I couldfeelthe air rippling with tension. Finally, Giovanni said, “I was merely trying to calm his breathing.”

He walked away, but I still couldn’t breathe any easier. My entire body was tight, like a bowstring pulled to its breaking point. He didn’t seem like the type to back down when challenged, but I was grateful he had.

Richard lowered, just like Giovanni had, his gaze piercing. “Do exactly as I do.” He used the same breathing exercise, only his voice brushed over me like velvet-wrapped steel, as if daring me to follow his lead, to lean into the safety he was offering.

I had to forcibly pull back when my body began to drift toward him, wondering why I was so drawn to him as I fought past my panic.

After a few moments, my racing heart began to slow, my breaths calming as I gradually lowered my arms.

“Are you steady enough to stand?” His warm smile made my heart begin to race again but for a different reason.

“I-I think so.” He held his hand out, but I hesitated, afraid to feel the warmth of his touch.

He eased his hand toward mine, his movements slow enough for me to pull away if I wanted to. But the moment his fingers brushed against my skin my hand latched onto his. The touch anchored me.

The moment grounded me.

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