Page 12 of Betrayed in the Dark
“Let me deal with him.” Vin pulls at his tie, loosening it until it falls apart. “Although, it’s not like your safety seems to be of any concern to him.” He cocks an eyebrow, waiting for me to protest.
To tell him he’s wrong.
But why would I?
Alastor is a monster who feeds on the weak.
One I am soon going to be tied to for the rest of my life.
I shake my head. “Eli is not going to be my body—”
“He fucking will be!” Vin snaps, standing to his full height, his burly body leaning over the desk. He takes a deep breath, staring down at the dark, stained wood. I can count on one hand the number of times my brother has raised his voice at me. And this moment just made that list. “Do you have any idea what it felt like when I stormed inside the cottage, seeing not just Scarlett in danger but you too? Finding you tied to a chair, practically unconscious with bruises and a gun being pointed at you.” His bright blue eyes dart up, meeting my identical pair. There’s so much regret in his eyes. So much pain I’ve never seen him display before. “I won’t make the same mistake again by leaving you unprotected. I’m sorry, but this is how things are going tobe. And if it’s not him, then it will just be someone else. Figured this would be the lesser of two evils for you.”
The lesser of two evils? I internally laugh. If only he knew.
I shrug as my throat burns with the overwhelming urge to cry in defeat. But I won’t. Not in front of them or anyone. Because no one deserves my tears. “Well, it looks like I have no choice then.”
Vin sighs, rubbing a hand down his face. “We all have to make sacrifices sometimes, Madeleine.”
“And pray tell, what sacrifices have you had to endure?”
If his stare could kill, I would be nothing more than a corpse at this very instance.
“Don’t make things tough for Eli.” Leo leans against the wall, glaring at me.
“Tough for Eli,” I repeat with a mocking laugh, anger igniting within me.
“He’s had a rough year. He doesn’t need more shit from you. Just let him do his job.”
My blood boils. Eli’s had a rough year? I pinch my eyes closed, taking a deep breath.
What about me?
“Are we done here?” I ask calmly, glaring at my four brothers.
“Yes,” Vin answers. “You may leave. We have a few more things to discuss, and then we’ll meet you out there.”
I nod, taking my leave.
As I briskly stride out the door and into the hall with my eyes focused on the floor, my mind is in a fog when I walk into someone.
Hands grip my upper arms as I begin to fall back, holding me steady and bringing me right up against his chest.
I look up under my lashes to see Eli’s eyes locking with mine.
Seconds tick by with my chest pressed against his and his warmth caressing me like a lover’s gentle touch before he removes his hold and takes a step back.
The spots on my skin where his touch occurred go cold.
“Madeleine, I…” He turns his head to the side and stares off down the hall.
“Don’t.” I shake my head, gazing down. “Nothing you say will make this any easier for me. I’m just a woman living in a man’s world doing what I’m told every goddamn day.”
His head whips in my direction. “That’s not what this is, and you know that.”
“Isn’t it?”
His hands transform into fists at his side as he takes a deep breath. “You were taken against your will by a bloody psychopath. Tied to a goddamn chair with bruises covering your skin. You were—”
