Page 61 of Ruthless God

“You’re cold. He’s not.”

Claudius tilts his head slightly, considering.

“He’s full of fire where you’re ice.”

Something flickers across his face. It’s brief, but there.

“Two sides of the same coin,” he murmurs.

I narrow my eyes. “What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

Liar. I move toward him, forgetting entirely that I’m still nude. His gaze flickers downward, then snaps back up, but I don’t stop.

“He said something like that to me.” My voice comes out quieter, my thoughts flashing back.

Right before he chased me through the woods. Right before he fucked me until I thought I was going to die. I swallow hard, pushing away the memory.

“Why does he want to kill me?”

Claudius doesn’t answer right away. For a second, I think he’s going to shut me out completely. Which is really going to piss me off.

But then he exhales slowly and says, “Put on some clothes and meet me in the living room.”

I blink.

“Why?”

“I’ll give you as much insight as I have.” His gaze locks onto mine, unreadable. “In return, I hope you will help me.”

I freeze. It’s the first time he’s admitted that he needs me. Not just as bait. Not just as leverage. But as an ally. And he said that can leave the room.

Leave. The. Room.

I nod once, slowly. “Okay.”

He gives me one last look before turning and leaving, the door swinging shut behind him with a quiet click. The room feels different the second he’s gone. It’s too quiet. Too still.

My fingers tighten around my phone. Slowly, I lower myself onto the edge of the bed, my heart still pounding from the conversation. I exhale and glance down at the screen.

The unknown number.

The only message left on my phone.

I reread it.

Once.

Twice.

My pulse thuds in my ears, a sick feeling twisting in my gut. Because no matter how many times I stare at the words… I can’t shake the feeling that I’m already in too deep.

Unknown

I can’t get you out of my mind.

The way you ran from me. Fought me. Gave in to me.

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