Page 105 of Betrayed in the Dark
“I wasn’t… I didn’t…Ahhh!I was just saying…hi!” The man screams out in agony as Eli bends his arm harder.
“Do you have any idea who the fuck she is?”
The man looks at me as if expecting me to give him the magical answer.
“Madeleine fucking Alarie,” Eli answers roughly. “And you will never look at her, think about her, or even breathe the same goddamn air as her again because you are unworthy of such a thing.” He releases the man’s arm and yanks him by the back of his shirt, pushing him into the crowd. “Get the fuck out of here! And if I ever see you near her again, then a broken arm will be the least of your problems.”
Eli’s chest heaves with intensity, and his shoulder muscles tighten as he runs a hand through his hair. His dark eyes catch mine as he turns, taking in every part of me to ensure I’m okay.
Everyone around us fades away as he gently grips my chin, tilting my face upward toward his. I swallow hard as his lips part, every fiber of my being wishing I could melt into his embrace.
“Are you okay, Princess?”
I blink a few times before I register what he just asked. Quickly, I nod. “Y-yes,” comes out of my throat in just barely a whisper. “You didn’t need to—”
“I did.” He brushes a tendril of hair out of my face. “I will always protect you.”
My heart hammers beneath my chest as I lift on my tiptoes, eager for his taste, when a throat clears behind Eli, bursting our private bubble.
With a little too much force, I extract myself out of Eli’s hold, backing against a bar stool. Disappointment flashes across Eli’s eyes as his shoulders drop, his body turning away from mine. And just as he moves, I spot my four brothers watching our exchange, their expressions filled with so much wrath as they shift their gaze between me and Eli.
The tension in the air is thick, and none of us say a word. Cressida stands off to the side, arms crossed and glaring at me with accusations in her eyes.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
A crowd begins to gather around us, fascinated by the current scandal unfolding.
Thank God this is an Alarie establishment.
“A round of drinks on the house,” Vin announces with a smile to the crowd, who cheer at this bit of news and then quickly return their attention elsewhere, forgetting about what they just witnessed.
My brothers approach slowly like lions preparing to attack. But I’m not ready for them to ruin this for me.
Not yet.
Not when I only have a few days left of freedom.
“Well.” I push myself away from the bar, adjusting my dress. “It’s been fun, but I think I’m ready to call it a night.” I quickly step away from everyone, knowing Eli will follow close behind.
I turn to Scarlett and Alina, who stare at the two of us, unsure of what to say or do to defuse the situation. “I’ll see you guys later. Thanks for”—I gesture around—“this.” I turn to say something to Cressida but find she’s already gone.
Dread pools in my stomach, knowing she’ll most likely go directly to Alastor about what she saw.
Marching toward the exit, I don’t look back.
I’ll deal with my brothers tomorrow.
But not tonight.
Upon arriving at my family’s home in the Hamptons, I head straight to my room, walk over to the balcony doors, and gaze out at the ocean illuminated by the full moon.
I hear Eli enter my room and softly close the door behind him.
“I just wanted a quiet night with you,” I say, wrapping my arms around myself.
“I know.” His arms enclose me, tugging me against his chest. His lips glide across the side of my neck, his mouth peppering my skin with soft kisses. “There’s a warm bath waiting for you with a glass of your favorite wine sitting on the ledge.”
“What?” I pull back to look at him.
