Page 118 of Ruthless God

“Maybe I was so desperate to be inside of you again that I broke into this house. My old house…”

His words don’t feel right. Not like they did the first time we met. Instead, they make me feel like bugs are crawling over my skin.

“If that’s true, then why do you want to kill me?”

“Who said I want to kill you?” He gives me a smile that would bring me to my knees if I were standing. “You shouldn’t believe everything you hear, Cecely.”

“Your brother made a compelling case,” I finally answer.

He’s silent for a moment before asking, “Has he brought your father here yet?”

Warning bells go off in the back of my head because of what I overheard today. How does he know this information?

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Gabriel moves closer, touching my thigh. Even though I’m covered, I can feel the burn of his touch.

“I’ve been inside of you, mama. Remember that when you lie to me.”

I shove his hand away. “You don’t get to play that card. We fucked. Big deal. Now, tell me why you think my sperm donor is on the way here.”

“The same way that you do. I overheard my dear brother on the phone.”

“How—”

“We’ve already established how, Cecely. The question is, what are you going to do about it?” His tone softens. “I’m sure meeting him is the last thing you want to do.”

I’m silent, which makes him sigh.

“Tell you what. I’m going to leave and the next time we see each other, well, maybe you’ll be ready to talk.” He pats my leg. “Have fun.”

He walks across the room, slipping onto the balcony.

Throwing back the bedding, I run across the room, following him outside, only to find that he’s already gone. Did he jump? I scan the ground, hoping to see him, but don’t.

My heart slams against my ribs. The night air is cool against my skin, but I barely notice. Because he’s gone. Like he was never here at all.

But he was.

I can still feel his touch on my leg, still hear the weight of his words in my ears.

“Have fun.”

I force myself to breathe, my hands gripping the railing as I scan the darkness below. How in the hell did he vanish like that? It has to mean one of two things.

Either Gabriel is better at disappearing than I thought…

Or I never stood a chance of catching him in the first place.

Both options terrify me.

I stay on the balcony until my teeth chatter, the night air seeping into my skin. Finally, I go back inside. But there’s no way I’m falling asleep now. Not after that.

My mind spins and I don’t know what’s worse. That he was here at all or that a part of me still isn’t sure what to believe.

A growl rumbles in my stomach. I huff. A sign from the universe, I guess. Food it is. I pad out of the room, my footsteps quiet against the floor, moving through the dark hallways like a shadow myself. By the time I reach the kitchen, the house is still.

I open the fridge, looking to see what’s inside. I jump when a tan, muscular arm reaches around me, grabbing the carton of milk. Turning, I find Claudius.I’m certain it’s him because of the way my heart stutters. It didn’t do that for Gabriel. Not in the same way, at least.

---