Page 126 of His Ruthless Match
“Of course,” he said simply, like it wasn’t even a question. “You shouldn’t have to deal with this alone. And she shouldn’t stay here, not with everything going on.”
I exhaled shakily, my shoulders relaxing for the first time all night. “Thank you. Really. I thought… I thought I was going to have to bring her to my apartment or something. I couldn’t just leave her here, but I didn’t know what else to do.”
A faint smirk tugged at his lips, his hand lingering on my shoulder. “You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll handle the logistics. You focus on Genevieve.”
I nodded, my relief short-lived as another question clawed its way to the forefront of my mind.
“Jareth,” I began hesitantly, searching his face. “The vampires tonight. You said they were there for me. Why?”
His expression hardened instantly, his jaw tightening as if he were debating whether or not to answer. Finally, he sighed. “There’s a bounty on your head.”
The words hung in the air between us, cold and suffocating. My heart skipped a beat. “What?”
“In The Below. Someone’s offering a reward, big enough to make vampires risk going after you in the middle of a human club.”
The floor felt like it was tilting beneath me. “Why?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Who would do that?”
Jareth shook his head, his jaw clenching tighter. “We don’t know yet. But I’m going to find out.”
My thoughts were a blur of fear and disbelief. A bounty. On me. Magical beings were actively hunting me. It felt like I’d been thrust into a nightmare, one where every shadow was a threat, and every stranger was an enemy.
“How long have you known?” I asked, my voice barely audible.
“Your brother told me a few nights ago,” Jareth admitted, his tone apologetic. “I didn’t want to overwhelm you. But after tonight, I couldn’t keep it from you.”
My breath hitched as I tried to process the magnitude of what he was saying. “So, what now?” I asked, forcing the words out through the lump in my throat.
“Now,” he said firmly, “we get Genevieve to the safehouse. And we keep you out of harm’s way.”
I looked up at him. His eyes blazed with determination. Despite the fear clawing at my chest, I believed him. I believed that he would do whatever it took to keep me safe.
“Okay.” My voice was steadier than I felt. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
Relief flickered across his face, and he stepped closer, his hand brushing against mine. “I’ll keep you safe, Eva. I promise.”
I believed him. And I clung to the hope that belief was enough to keep the fear at bay.
The elevator doorsslid open with a quiet chime, and I stepped into my apartment. The space that was usually a haven now felt foreign and too vast. Jareth was right behind me, a silent sentinel whose presence should have been reassuring, but tonight, nothing felt right.
My mind reeled, images of Genevieve’s hollow expression and the chaos at the club playing on a loop. I wanted to believeshe was safe now, that Raffaele’s guards and his influence would be enough. But my heart wouldn’t let me.
“Genevieve is safe,” I muttered to myself, the words an empty mantra. Saying them didn’t make them feel true.
Jareth moved with the same quiet efficiency as always, locking the door behind us and surveying the room. “I’ll check the wards before I shower,” he said, his voice a low rumble.
“Okay,” I replied, barely above a whisper. I didn’t have the energy to argue or question his constant need to assess threats. Tonight, his hyper-vigilance felt like the only thing keeping me from completely unraveling.
Without another word, I made my way to my bedroom. My hands shook as I stripped off the clothes that smelled faintly of sweat and fear. I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water beat down on me, but it did little to ease the chill that had settled deep in my bones.
I leaned against the cold tile, pressing my forehead against it. Genevieve’s face wouldn’t leave my mind. Her blank stare, her unnatural movements—it wasn’t her. It wasn’t even close. The guilt gnawed at me. I should’ve done more. I should’ve seen this coming. How had I not noticed that my client was being controlled by some outside force?
And then there was Jareth—relentless, unshakable, terrifyingly capable. He’d taken down those vampires without hesitation, without mercy. Watching him had been like witnessing some ancient, primal force unleashed. And yet, even in his fury, he’d been in complete control. He’d looked at me once it was over, his gaze steady, as if to say,You’re safe. I’ve got this.
But was I? Were any of us?
The water turned cold, and I turned it off and stepped out, wrapping myself in a towel. My hands were still trembling as Ipulled on a sweatshirt and leggings, my usual comfort clothes. It felt like a poor shield against the weight pressing down on me.
In the kitchen, I went about making coffee to keep my hands busy. The motions were automatic: measure the grounds, pour the water, wait for the machine to hum to life. The quiet gurgle of the brewing coffee was the only sound in the too-still apartment.
