Page 75 of The Devil's Wrath

“You can’t escape this,” I murmured against the sensitive skin of her neck. “You can’t escape me. No matter how hard you try, you’ll always find your way back into my arms. Into my bed. Into my very soul. You’re under my skin, in my blood. I can’t walk away from that, and neither can you.”

“You’re wrong,” she whispered, her voice lacking conviction. “I can walk away anytime I want.”

I traced the column of her throat with my finger, feeling her pulse jump beneath my touch. “Then do it,” I challenged, eyes locked on hers. “Walk away right now and prove me wrong.”

She stared at me, her chest heaving with each ragged breath. Seconds ticked by, and the air between us was charged with tension. But she remained rooted in place, unable to move.

A triumphant smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. “That’s what I thought.” My hand slid into her hair, gripping the silky strands of her ponytail as I yanked her head back, nipping at her bottom lip.

She shuddered beneath me, a soft whimper escaping her lips. I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, those stormy depths that held such conflict, such turmoil. I saw the war raging within her, the desperate struggle between her heart and her head.

“I hate you,” she whispered.

I smiled ruefully, my thumb tracing the delicate line of her jaw. “Hate and love are two sides of the same coin, little bird. They both consume you, burn you from the inside out until there’s nothing left but ashes.”

She closed her eyes, a single tear escaping from beneath her lashes. I caught it with my thumb, marveling at the vulnerability she so rarely showed. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to gather her in my arms and shield her from the world, from the darkness that swallowed us both.

I released her hair and stepped back, hitting the button to resume the elevator’s descent. She sagged against the wall, her eyes still closed as she composed herself. The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, and Wrenly straightened, smoothing her scrubs as I gestured for her to exit first into the bustling hospital lobby. She brushed past me without a word, her shoulders squared and her head held high. Ifollowed. Her steps were determined but her eyes downcast. I knew our conversation was far from over, but now was not the time or place to delve into the twisted web of our relationship.

I spotted Cavan waiting by his car that he’d parked next to mine, his brows furrowed in concern. “Everything alright?” he asked, his voice carefully neutral as his eyes darted between us.

Wrenly forced a smile, nodding. “Just a long shift. I’m exhausted.”

Cavan’s gaze lingered on me a moment longer before he said, “You good, boss?”

“Just peachy,” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Alright, well, I’m going to head out. Text me if you need me.”

“Thanks, man.”

He nodded and got into his car. I opened my passenger’s door for Wrenly. She slid into the seat without saying a word, her eyes fixed on her hands folded in her lap. I climbed into the driver’s seat, my gaze never leaving her profile as I started the car.

The drive was silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Wrenly stared out the window, her reflection a portrait of inner turmoil. I watched the city lights flicker across her face, casting shadows that mirrored the darkness within us both. Instead of driving in the direction of her house, I opted to take her to the manor. She felt like she was second in my life, so I was about to prove she was more than that to me. And if that meant exposing my deepest, darkest secrets and vulnerabilities, so be it.

She perked up and looked at me. “You missed my exit.”

“I’m aware.”

She turned to face me fully. Her brows knitted together in confusion and a hint of trepidation. “Where are we going?”

I kept my eyes on the road. “Home.”

“Home? Your home?”

I nodded.

She fell silent, and her gaze returned to the window as the city gave way to sprawling forests and hidden lanes. I could feel the weight of her unspoken words hanging between us, but I focused on the road ahead. My car turned onto the long, winding driveway, the headlights illuminating the imposing iron gates that marked the entrance to thelair of The Brotherhood, protected by tall stone walls and trained bodyguards. I waved at the guards in the security shack, and the gate swung open with a groan. I parked the car and walked around to open her door, offering my hand. She hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in mine, allowing me to help her out of the vehicle. We walked up the stone steps, our footsteps echoing in the still night air until I unlocked the heavy oak door, ushering her inside. She had been here once before, after the quarry incident, but it had been under different circumstances. I placed a hand on the small of her back.

“Come on, I’ll give you the grand tour.”

She followed me silently, her gaze roaming over the lavish furnishings and priceless artwork adorning the walls. I showed her each room and introduced her to the guards who walked the halls. Kai was at the hospital, and Archer and Mila were probably locked in their room, so those introductions would have to wait until later. I led her through the formal living room, the dining room with its mahogany table, and the library with its floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Each room held a piece of The Brotherhood’s history and a glimpse into my world. Once I saw how drained she looked, I decided to conclude the tour and finish it once she had a chance to rest. She followed me up the grand staircase without question and through the dimly lit hallways. Our footsteps were muffled by the thick Persian rugs. Portraits of stoic-faced men lined the walls—our ancestors, their eyes seeming to follow us as we passed. I stopped in front of my door at the end of a long corridor, turned the knob, and pushed it open. She stepped inside hesitantly, her eyes widening as they adjusted to the soft glow of the room.

I closed the door behind us with a soft click, the sound echoing in the heavy silence. She turned to face me, and I saw the exhaustion etched on her face.

“Why did you bring me back here, Theo?” she asked.

I stepped closer, my eyes boring into hers. “Because I want you to understand. To see the truth of who I am and where I come from.”

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