Page 37 of Silverproof Damsel

Rhys’ stare finally left me as it drifted to Winchester. “That isn’t happening.”

“I don’t intend to take it. Remington is a master at creating beautiful pieces. In our bloodline, a sword has always held the greatest meaning. The fact that Remington can forge them at her tender age is quite an achievement. It speaks volumes about her artistic talent. I merely wished to see how far she’s come since I saw her last piece,” she elaborated, even though Rhys wasn’t budging.

Rhys’ jaw twitched as he rose to his feet. “We’re leaving, Love. I do hope you’re ready as you vowed to be when I arrived.”

“I’m ready.” Climbing to my feet, I placed a hand over my abdomen. Turning to Winchester, I smiled sadly as she stepped closer. Her lips tugged down in the corners.

“We’re taking Nyx with us,” Acyn growled. My eyes rounded as what he said sank in. “She’s not dead, Remington. She’s in here.” He tapped his forefinger on his head. “I’m taking the nymph home with me.”

“That’s fine,” Winchester muttered, nodding toward the kitchen. “I only ask that you not disturb the other . . . corpse. It’s our brother, who is being prepared for final rites.” Winchester’s voice had cracked. It had all four brothers noting the sense of loss drifting around the chamber.

“Come to me, Remington.”

I didn’t hesitate to move across the room, sliding into place beside Rhys’ powerful physique. The moment I stood before him. He carefully slid the strap of my camisole over my shoulder. His thumb slid over the burn as his eyes thinned, locking with mine. A quick jerk of my head stalled any question he intended to ask.

Slowly, he pulled my strap back up before undoing his suit jacket. His blood-soaked undershirt became fully visible. Worry ignited in my eyes, causing one side of his mouth to lift in a cocky smile.

“Don’t worry. It’s not my blood. I’m not sloppy enough to allow them to get a chance to take a shot at me. Slip your arms into the jacket, Love.” Rhys helped as I slid into the heavy garment. “It’s Kevlar. I’m not willing to take any chances with you.” Turning toward Acyn, he spoke in a commanding tone. “Get your nymph. We’re leaving. Now.”

Chapter Fifteen

Whenwesteppedfromthe house, Rhys yanked me to his side. His hand held my head as he moved us toward a line of dark SUVs, each one a blackout edition. He didn’t allow me time to say goodbye to anyone before he moved us toward the door. Once he’d said we were leaving, that was it. We were moving.

I continually tried to lift my head from his hold. The need to search for a threat was too much to keep my head down in his hold.

“You’re safe, Remington. Stop fighting me.” Rhys’ warning was harsh, making me tense against his side.

I wasn’t sure where we stood with one another. Only that I was at his mercy, something he’d assured me that he had none to offer. Closing my eyes as I inhaled his comforting scent deep into my lungs, I released a shuddered breath.

“Good girl,” he purred as the creaking of a door revealed we’d reached the vehicles. “In you go.”

I stepped into the sleek interior of the Escalade. Deep bucket seats allowed me to sink into the leather with a moan. Rhysclosed my door, then rounded the vehicle and climbed in from the other side, in the back, right beside me.

“This is where you gloat and call me a naïve idiot,” I mumbled.

The driver slipped into the front seat as the vehicle started forward, causing my focus to shift. A sinking sensation fluttered through the pit of my stomach as the chateau vanished from sight. My chest rose and fell with the uneasiness of being alone with Rhys.

“Were you and your brother close, Remington?” Rhys asked, which caused a burning sensation to form in my throat.

Clearing my throat before answering him, I responded in a hoarse tone. “As close as we could be with the age difference. Colt wasn’t like Sig or Ruger. He’s softer in many ways. He was softer. He was one of the good ones.”

“You lost a sibling today, and Nyx was shot.” Blinking at his response, the skin between my eyes pushed together. “I don’t gloat, Love. You’ve been through a lot in a short time. Not to mention, you’ve been injured.”

“I noticed,” I muttered, then proceeded to rub the right side of my head where a migraine was starting. “Am I your prisoner? Or unwanted guest again?”

“You are my silver,” he stated in a soft, soothing timbre that sent a shiver of need rushing straight to my apex. “And the mother of my unborn child. For now, you’ll reside in the safest place within the mansion.”

“Which is?” I asked when he failed to provide the answer.

“With me.” He turned towards me, then aimed the full intensity of his stare at me. “I’ve moved to the Onyx Wing of the mansion. It’s fortified and encased in reinforced steel. That is the safest place you can be right now. Unlike your family, I can keep you from harm.”

“My family did the best they could, Rhys. My family has barely had a moment to adjust since they’ve arrived here. They cannotcall for help without everyone in this town assuming they’re preparing for war. To prevent you or the other houses from attacking, they’ve stayed to themselves and not brought in their allies.”

“Your family is safe for now. How long that remains the case is up to you and them.”

Turning away from him, I stared out over the mountain range as the sun slowly sank behind the lofty peaks. Violet gave way to a mauve-color, then blended with orange as day conceded to the night.

“You’re more worried about them than you are about yourself,” Rhys stated.

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