Page 120 of Ruthless Redemption

“An exhibitionist and a sadist.” He scoffs as he stabs a cut of meat. “You two are going to have a colorful future.”

“Wait. Which one am I?”

His brows pull tight in fake contemplation. “Which category does stabbing someone then fucking in their blood fall into?”

“He stabbed himself.”

He gives me a quizzical look. “I’m not sure that makes the situation any better.”

“Could it make it any worse?” I place my cutlery on the middle of my plate, my appetite lost to the explicit topic.

“I guess not.” He snickers. “But it seems our conversation has had a negative effect on your hunger, so I’m going to leave you to clear your head in peace. I do want to clarify one thing first, though.” He pushes to his feet. “I might not want to fuck you, Lay, but I will protect you. I’ll do my best to make sure you’re always safe.”

I lower my gaze, awkwardly humbled. “Thank you.”

“In return, all I ask is that you keep your private parts out of my line of vision.”

I press my chin to my chest, hiding a grin. “I’ll do my best.”

“For the love of God, please do.” He takes his plate and wine glass, then returns inside, leaving me to chuckle into the sea breeze.

After dinner, I stack the dishwasher while Matthew and his brothers reminisce about childhood memories. I shower. Dress. Then climb into bed to contemplate the danger that will arise tomorrow.

It isn’t long before Matthew comes in to kiss me goodnight. A long, suggestive kiss that has me panting by the time he pulls away.

“As much as I want to spend the night with you, I won’t be in here long. Bishop and I will take turns staying awake to make sure my brothers aren’t up to something.”

“And if they are?”

The muscles in his jaw tense. “Then the problem will be resolved before you wake in the morning.”

Those words leave me unsettled for hours.

I toss and turn, wondering if I should call Cole for guidance. For security.

I fall asleep alone.

Sometimes I wake cold and isolated. At others, I have a possessive arm wrapped around me, with Matthew sleeping peacefully at my back. He isn’t restless. He’s calm in the face of what lies ahead.

I need to trust that he knows what he’s doing. That he can predict how Lorenzo and his brothers will react to his suggestion.

When I wake in the morning Matthew is spooned behind me, his gentle breathing brushing my shoulder.

I haven’t lost the urge to reach out to Cole. If anything, the compulsion has increased. I’m anxious over what’s to come. And fearful of the possibilities.

I want Cole to know he lost the deal with Matthew. That the Butcher won my heart and no action can be taken against him.

And I also need a reminder that no matter what my future holds, my family will take care of Stella. That she will be looked after and cherished if anything were to happen to me.

I inch out of bed, careful not to wake Matthew, and tiptoe to the duffle to silently feel around the interior for the cell Keira stowed.

I take the device outside, sneaking through the French doors to turn it on and scroll through the two numbers already stored in the contacts. The first isK. The second is a devil emoji.

It isn’t hard to pick which one is my brother. The tiny little graphic should be enough of an omen to make me second-guess my actions. But I don’t allow myself time to pause.

I dial his number, my bare feet freezing to the wooden slats of the deck as the ringtone carries through the device. Then it stops, along with my pulse.

“Good morning, sister,” Cole says in greeting. “I didn’t expect you’d want to speak to me for quite some time.”

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