Page 34 of Silverproof Damsel

“You’re so fucking gorgeous, Love,” he rumbled without bothering to even look at me. “That gown is going to look so much better on the floor of my bedroom after I’ve ripped it from your delicious, delicate, curved frame.” The moment his head lifted, simmering blue eyes ravenously locked with mine as a dark, even dangerous rumble of sound escaped his lips.

Chewing my lip, I ignored the desire to tear it off my frame for him to hasten the sin he promised. Slowly, I closed the space between us. Rhys’ mouth tightened into a thin white line as the angry wound on my shoulder became visible as I got closer to where he lounged in the chair.

“Rhys . . .” His name left my lips like a fervent prayer.

“Who the fuck was stupid enough to hurt you, Remington?” he demanded, then slowly rose from his chair, eyes flooding with the promise of violence as they scanned me from head to toe. “Who fucking hurt you?” Returning to rest on my face, he studied the agony displayed over mine.

“I—” The words caught in my throat as I choked on the emotion.

“I want the name of the asshole I’m murdering tonight, Remi. Now.”

A burning sensation filled my eyes and throat as I slowly shook my head. “I was stupid.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.” His stare burned every inch of my flesh that it feasted over. “You didn’t do that to yourself. Youwillgive me a name. I need to know who I’ll be ripping apart limb from fucking limb. I knew I should’ve remained at your side. Your family is ill-prepared to protect you. More so than I assumed they were.”

Rhys vibrated with rage, his hands at his sides curled into tight fists. The muscles in his throat strained as his eyes flickedbetween the wound, then back to my face. A tic in his jaw clenched, then pulsed as he released a shuddered breath of air.

“Rhys,” his name escaped my lips as a plea. I didn’t have a name to provide. Hell, I hadn’t even seen the bastard who’d shot me, let alone asked for a name.

“Now, I’ll ask you one more fucking time, Love. Who the fuck hurt you?” His finger slid over the curve of my shoulder even as his eyes thinned into angry slits. “Is that a fucking bullet hole?” Rhys’ hand slid to my hip as he turned me to the side, hissing when he found the larger exit wound. “Bloody hell.”

“They shot through Nyx to hit me,” I admitted, slowly turning toward him, noting the anger simmering in his gaze. “They killed my brother, too. Colt was protecting me. It had cost him his life. You were right, Rhys. We aren’t prepared to fight them.”

“Tell your family not to fire on me or my people. If they do, I’ll ensure you’re an only fucking child by the time I reach you, Love. Be ready to go when I arrive.”

“You’re coming?” I asked as the dreamscape slowly began deconstructing around us.

Rhys’ palm curved against my cheek as he growled, pressing his forehead against mine. A shudder rippled through my frame as his other hand slid to the small of my back.

“Did you doubt me when I said that I was coming for you?” he countered, then pulled back a fraction to slide his regard over my face. Pinching my chin, he tipped my head back, forcing my stare to his. “I cautioned you once before that I don’t make idle threats. If I tell you that I intend to do something, believe that it’s happening. Full stop, Remington.”

I searched the sharp, chiseled features of his face as if it held the answer to his question. “I don’t know what I expected. My brother’s dead because I’m an idiot who allows my emotions to direct me into trouble. Nyx is . . . I don’t know if she’s alive or if I got her killed, too. Maybe I don’t deserve to be saved, Rhys.”

Something dangerous passed behind his eyes before it vanished as he blinked. “Do you honestly think any of us deserves to be saved, Remington? I won’t allow them to take you from me. Not even Death, himself, or Hades could keep me from coming for you. Are you ready?”

“I’ll be ready by the time you arrive tonight,” I promised, but the way his lips twisted into a smug smile had my head tilted to the side.

“Why do you think the enemy’s silent outside of the chateau? Think I trust your family to protect something precious to me?” His words sent shock rippling through me as he shoved me out of the dreamscape. Dark laughter and the remnants of the song clung to my flesh as I sat upright in bed.

“Did you find him?” Savage asked in a hopeful tone.

Winchester turned, staring at me as she stepped closer. “When should we expect him to show up?”

“Remington, are you okay?” Daisy asked with concern stamped over her face.

Releasing a shuddered breath, I answered. “He’s already here.”

Chapter Fourteen

Seatedinthefamilyroom, I scanned the concerned looks on the faces of my siblings. No one liked that I’d be leaving with Rhys. The idea of him storming the house with his knights had my anxiety spiking, as his threat to make me an only child echoed in my head.

“What the fuck is he waiting for?” Sig asked, his arms folded in front of his chest with thumbs pointing up. He widened his stance.

Ruger grunted, his shirt and pants both still stained in blood. “He’s a Van Helsing. They don’t travel without an entire entourage of knights. I doubt this asshole has the balls to walk in here and take our sister from us. My money’s on him demanding we send her out there. It isn’t happening. If he isn’t man enough to walk in here and look us in the eye, he isn’t taking you, Remington. Period.”

“It isn’t up for debate,” Savage muttered with tension tightening her delicate features. “She asked him to come for her. We don’t get to question her choices, Ruger. She’s not a child anymore.”

Sinking deeper into the comfortable couch, I crossed my ankles. Ruger made a sound of disagreement that caused a sinking feeling in the pit of my belly. I decided to ignore it and reached forward for the teacup, wincing as a pain seared in my shoulder.

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