Page 5 of Silverproof Damsel

“No. I’m just not reckless enough to trust you anywhere near me. You hate me. You’ve made that clear to me and everyone else present the day Roslyn turned up at your house,” I retorted.

The use of her name made his eyes turn obsidian. Then, I watched thin streaks start to spread over his face, sliding down his neck. I struggled to conceal the fright growing inside my mind. My stomach twisted as the rate of my heart increased.

Goosebumps spread over my arms, continuing down the length of my body. Rhys hadn’t ever allowed his demon out in front of me. Ever. He’d always shielded me from it, but it was clear he wouldn’t be doing that anymore.

A sinister smile curved over his mouth seconds before he vanished from sight. Fear sliced through my system, spreading throughout until I thought it would explode from within. I took one step back, then another until I collided with something solid. Powerful arms wrapped around my chest, even as his feverish breath fanned against the shell of my ear.

“What’s the matter, Love? Afraid I’ll play with my dinner?” he queried through a hoarse voice that slid over, then all around me. It promised to leave me a satisfied, depleted mess when he’d finished using me.

“Don’t worry. My mother taught me better than to play with my food, unlike yours.” His teeth pulled on my earlobe as he chuckled mischievously. “Now, be a good girl. I’d hate to restrain you to claim you, as is my right.”

I felt my stomach plummet as a lump formed in my throat. “And what do you think is your right?” My tone trembled as the question escaped past my quivering lips.

“Whatever the fuck I want it to be,” he articulated, even as he skimmed scorching lips over the hollow column of my neck. “You’re mine, Remington. You’re my silver. That means no one can argue my claim over you. Not even you.”

“I amnotyour silver, not anymore. You renounced any claim you made to me. You and I are nothing, Rhys Van Helsing. Nothing. Do you need me to spell it out for you? I will.” Trembling with anger, I fought the confusion crashing through my system. Spinning around to face him, I battled the need to reach out and touch him.

My traitorous body had missed the memo where he’d broken my heart into a thousand tiny pieces. It fluttered from his nearness and touch, while my fingers curled into my palms, preventing my nails from raking over his face.

“You think it’s that easy, Love?” The hoarseness in his words glided over my flesh like satin, promising to ignite like gasoline over an open flame if I didn’t distance myself from his touch. “You and I are together forever. If I want to use you, I’ll do so in any way I wish.”

“Is that what you think will happen?” I countered, shooting a similar sharp, cutting tone back as his stare thinned and a tic started in his cheek. “Because I promise you this: Iwon’tbe a pawn you wield against your enemies. I don’t care if I’m your silver, or if you think it gives you some archaic claim on my soul. So, how about you get your hands off me and step the fuck back?Now!” When he didn’t immediately step back, I let the temperature of my core begin expand, knowing it would force him to step away or be burned.

“You’ve been learning tricks since you’ve been away from me, pretty pet.”

“No, Rhys. I’ve been learning how to survive in this world. A world that’s trying its best to ensure my child never takes its first breath. I won’t allow them or you to use or harm them in any way. So, unless you intend to force me to start a war, one neither of us wants, I’m leaving.” I turned, eyeing him coldly.

“Someone thinks she’s all grown up now.” His words tore a cold, unfeeling laugh from my lips.

Instead of taking the bait, I folded my arms over my chest. The look on my face was one of boredom and annoyance. It was unfair for him to look so damn enticing when I was doing my best to ignore the allure of him.

Rhys was the epitome of everything I’d ever wanted in a man. His touch set me afire with a need like no other could or had ever managed to do. His compass, while black, still followed a code of conduct that I understood and respected.

Azure eyes framed in thick, dark lashes narrowed on me, slowly studying my face before lowering in a slow, ravenous exploration of my frame. The sinfully hot tattoos adorning his throat peeked out from beneath the folded collar of his expensive suit, taunting me.

The only thing different about Rhys’ persona was the dark aura surrounding him, plus his hair was disheveled, as if he’d shoved his inked fingers through it repeatedly as he’d waited for me to wake up.

“Don’t make this harder than it needs to be, Love. You don’t want to make me your enemy.” His words forced a clap of laughter to burst free from my lips.

“I’ve no intention of making anything easier for you. And stop calling me‘Love’. There’s no love between us anymore.” I waited resolutely for his next taunt or threat to roll off his incredibly talented tongue.

“Have it your way. Remember, I at least tried to make this all easier on you. I gave the witches my word that I’d be gentle with you because of your delicate condition.” Stepping into my body, he reached out, grabbing a copper-colored curl between his fingers, before rubbing the strands together. “How is my child?”

“You meanmychild? Did you catch amnesia or some shit? Either way, Bullet’s fine and doesn’t need you anymore than I do now, Van Helsing.”

Dark brows smashed together as irritation settled over his face. “You named our child without consulting me first?”

“No. I named my child without consulting the sperm donor.” He tugged at my hair, and, as I attempted to retreat, his arm circled my back. The world spun as he pressed me against the wall, avoiding any harm.

“My child. My silver.Mine!End of discussion. You hear me, Love. You can be angry all you want. It doesn’t change that you’re carrying my child or that my silver burns within your soul. You breathe because I allow you to do so. So, unless you intend to start another war between our bloodlines, one you and your family aren’t prepared to fight, you’ll be a good girl for me. Stop trying to cut me with that sharp tongue. Do you understand me?” The minute I opened my lips to dispute what he’d claimed, his mouth collided against mine in a brutally harsh kiss, shocking me into complete silence.

Rhys’ tongue pushed against my lips, seeking entrance. The moment he got it, Rhys devoured me like a man starved of sustenance. His tongue dueled against mine, dominating it until a breathy moan escaped my lungs, swallowed by his ravenous lips.

My body melted into the hardened muscles of his body, softening against his brutal assault on my senses. Unwillingly, my tongue slid against his, daring him to continue what he’d started.

The moment he pulled away from the kiss, his eyes sparkled with victory. Anger and confusion sluiced through my mind, which never ended well for me.

My palm moved through the air, then connected against his cheek. The gasp I expelled at the realization of what I’d just done was followed by his angry snarl. I stared in horror as he turned his head, frowning at the sound of cold, cruel laughter replacing all sound within the chamber.

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