Page 11 of Sold to the Devil
“They want me to give them an heir,” I sigh. “Mattheo is your father's, but he needs one too.”
His hand takes mine and he intertwines our fingers, squeezing lightly. I feel myself blush again. I've never interacted with boys before coming here. Well, with anyone other than my dad and Nancy, actually.
“I'm sorry you have to marry my brother. Don't get me wrong, I care about him, but he's an asshole. I've never seen him treat women well,” he sighs.
“As long as he doesn't hurt me, I'll be fine. All I have to do is give him an heir and not disturb him,” I shrug.
He looks like he wants to say something, but he looks away. Our heads snap up at the sound of footsteps, and he immediately lets go of my hand once he sees it's Mattheo coming towards us.
My heart rate quickens with fear. I really hope he didn't see us holding hands. After his reaction last night to Arthur's kiss on my cheek, I don't know what he'd think if he knew I'd held his brother's hand. Probably the same thing he thought about the blond guy: that I'd been unfaithful to him.
His chocolate brown eyes flicker to Tom, then to me, before focusing on his brother. His arms are crossed over his chest, and I find myself staring at his muscles.
“I see you've met my future wife,” he groans, disdainfully.
My gaze shifts to Tom, who is staring at his brother. His face is cold and his eyes dark. I'm surprised by his reaction, he just told me he cares about Mattheo and yet he looks as if he's about to rip his head off.
My eyes flick to Mattheo and I see his eyes darken as well when he clenches his jaw. Are they having a conversation in their heads? I swallow, feeling like an intruder. Yet, I'm too scared to move.
“Aelys. Go back to our room.”
I glance at Tom but he's still staring at his brother.
“Right fucking now.”
My head turns towards Mattheo and I nod quickly, standing up with my book in hand. I lower my head, not daring to say anything, and I rush away from them. I haven't said goodbye to Tom, but I know I'll see him again since he probably lives here too.
I go to our room and sit on the couch in front of the bookshelf. I take a deep breath, feeling better now that I'm no longer around the boys and the tension they radiated. My fingers run nervously through my hair and I tuck a strand behind my ear.
My mind is racing because I don't know what to expect once Mattheo returns. Will he yell at me for talking to Tom? My stomach twists at the thought of him hurting me for this. Would he raise his hand to me?
I take a few minutes to breathe, calming my nerves before opening my book again. I need a distraction before the storm erupts.
CHAPTER 5
Mattheo
Once she's no longer with us, Tom stands up, silently challenging me. I really care about him, but he always pisses me off. Always poking his nose where he shouldn't. I see him clench his fists, and I smile darkly as my jaw ticks.
“Haven't I beaten you up enough all these years for you not to provoke me, little brother?”
His gaze hardens and his jaw tightens as well. He takes a step forward, moving closer to me. I raise an eyebrow, silently challenging him to start the fight he seems desperate to start.
“She told me about the arranged marriage.”
“What the hell do youcare, huh?”
“I know you, Mattheo. You're not a good man,” he says in a harsh tone.
I chuckle darkly, tilting my head to the side as I study him curiously.
“And you are, Tom? Have you forgotten all the innocent people you've killed?”
“Unlike you, I would never hurt a woman!” His voice rises as he almost shouts.
His words take me by surprise, but I do my best to hide it. Instead, I glare at him, maintaining the usual mask of coldness on my face. “I didn't hurt her. Or any woman. Did she tell you I did?”
I feel anger rising inside me. Was that bitch spreading lies about me? Sure, I may have been a little rough last night when I choked her, but I didn't hurt her.
