Page 39 of Sinful Kingdom

But I only have the upper hand for so long. Before I know it, something hard collides with my temple, and I’m lost to the darkness.

10

EVIE

Still shrouded in darkness, I pull the bedroom door open and slip out into the equally dark and silent hallway.

My eyes linger on the bedroom door next to the one I just walked through. It’s Daemon’s. The thought of him in there with Calli sends a wave of security through me.

I might not know him like… at all, but I don't need to to know that he’d protect me just as fiercely as Alex would if he were here.

Pain slices through me as I wonder where he could be right this second, how he could be being treated.

As I descend the stairs, a soft light comes from a room I didn’t venture into earlier. Silently, I walk up to the door and peer around.

My breath catches at the sight of Stefanos sitting in the middle of a dark sofa with a glass of amber liquid resting on his thigh, his head resting back and his eyes focused on the ceiling.

I should move, I know I should. But after talking to Gianna, Calli and Blake about him, I can’t help but be intrigued by this enigma of a man.

I give myself a few minutes to study him before I take a step back, intending on finding a drink and then locking myself away in Alex’s room once more.

Only before I get a chance to escape, his deep, rumbling voice makes me stop dead in my tracks.

“You don’t need to run.”

All my breath rushes past my lips as if someone’s punched it straight out of my lungs.

“Um…”

“I promise I won’t bite, Evie.”

Looking back over my shoulder, I find that he’s sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his drink now hanging between them. His shoulders are wide, his features sharp, terrifying, deadly. But it’s the look in his eyes that makes me spin around and step into the room. He looks as defeated and stressed as everyone else.

“When did you last sleep?” I ask, mentally kicking myself. Telling your boyfriend’s father that he looks terrible in not so many words is not the best way to build any kind of relationship.

He shakes his head as if he can’t remember. “Not since we knew they were gone.”

The fact he doesn’t just mention Alex, but Zay too, makes my heart swell.

Blake and Zay may have only been staying here a few days really, but maybe our little brother has softened a part of this cold, hard man.

We can only hope, because we need all the luck we can get to find them both.

“How are you feeling? I heard you weren’t in a great state when you arrived.”

A smile kicks up one corner of my mouth as I come to an awkward stop at the side of the sofa opposite him. “You could say that. I’ve certainly been better.”

He studies me closely. I’ve no idea what he’s looking for, but my skin prickles, making me want to curl in on myself.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Evie. I’m on your side here.”

“I-I know, I’m sorry. I—”

“Please, take a seat,” he says, unfolding his body and standing at full height. “Can I get you a drink?”

After downing what’s left of his, he walks toward his bar and grabs an extra glass before I’ve even said anything.

“I… um… what is it?” I ask when he walks back toward me with a small amount of amber liquid in both glasses.

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