Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Wilder
Ascream ripped from my throat as the end of a nightmare left me. My body was shaking as the fear and agony of the nightmare faded from my mind. Sweat clung to my back and soaked through my sheets.
They never stopped. Those damn nightmares invaded my sleep most nights, and I didn’t even remember them. I just felt them. Every agonising second of them. All the pain and suffering as if I’d lived it myself.
Were they even my memories? Were they the ghosts of my past or someone else’s? How could I not even know?
Sparks of my violet energy arced between my fingers as my magic rose up to protect me, but something felt off.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention, my skin turned clammy and my heart pounded in my chest signalling danger. I wasn’t alone. “Who’s there?”
I hated that the lingering effects of the nightmare made my voice tremble in fear.
The lamp in the corner switched on highlighting the vague shape of someone sitting in the armchair. The stranger crossed one leg over the other, looking far too comfortable in my space. “Is that normal for you? To wake up screaming?”
The threat of danger left my body with a sigh. It was Byron. The goddamn psychopath who couldn’t seem to leave me alone. At least he hadn’t killed me.
“How did you get in?” I asked, my magic sparking at the ends of my fingertips.
My house was warded to the high heavens and covered in protective spells. It should be impossible for him to be sitting there, but there he was, in all his lethal prowess.
Fuck. Was I impressed?
I think I was.
“I saw a man about a little charm.” He lifted his hand to show something dangling between his fingers.
The silver pendant shimmered in the lamplight, and I could sense the power radiating through it. There was only one person I knew powerful enough to put so much energy into something so small. “Did Acheron give you that?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Byron chuckled. “The man likes any opportunity to piss you off. When I said I wanted to break into your house, he was only too happy to oblige. Where were you today?”
I swallowed, my throat uncomfortably dry. “Why? Did you miss me?”
“Yes.”
I hitched a sharp breath. Something about the simplicity of the way he said that word had my insides fluttering. “I was drained after the vision yesterday and I just wanted to be at home.”
Byron stood and walked towards me. I scooted further up the bed until my back hit the headboard and I stuck my hand out in front of me, my magic ready to attack if he tried anything funny. I’d have done something already if I weren’t so damn tired.
He finally settled on the edge of the bed and turned on the lamp next to us.
He was dressed head to toe in black. Black combat trousers, black boots, a black turtleneck and all topped off with a black peacoat.
The lamp highlighted the braces strapped around his chest and I could see the edges of his guns peeking out beneath his coat.
“You look like you’re on your way to murder someone. ”
“Not tonight,” he replied. “This is just my go to nighttime activities apparel.”
“It’s intense.”
“Yes.” Byron stared at me, his eyes cataloguing my features like I was an insect under a microscope. “Are you alright?”
I sniffed and wiped at a tear that rolled down my cheek. Pretty sure I was as far from alright as I could be, but I didn’t want to tell Byron that. It’s not like he’d understand how I felt, anyway.
“I don’t know.” It sounded like a cop out even to my own ears. “Why are you here?”
“I came to check on you.”
I scoffed and sniffed again. I also ignored the fact that I liked his answer. “And you couldn’t text or call like a normal person? You had to break into my heavily warded house to do that?”
“I don’t have your number.”
“Pretty sure that wouldn’t stop you. Not having the key to my house hasn’t deterred you.”
He smiled that unsettling smile of his again and scooted closer. “No, it didn’t. Are you going to tell me about your nightmare?”
I grimaced and flinched back, the terror creeping under my skin again. “No. And I think you should leave.”
His smile dropped, and it was a little unnerving how fast his expressions changed. “I don’t want to leave.”
“Get out of my house, Byron.” I raised my hand and called my magic back to the surface. “I don’t want you here.”
He leant closer, crowding into my personal space despite the threat of my magic. “Are you sure?”
His words brushed my lips, and I had to fight the urge to lean into him. “Yes.”
Byron smiled wide and wolfish. “I think you’re lying to me.”
Fuck. He smelled so good and he was right fucking there. So close that I could almost taste him. His breath was minty and his cologne was threatening to lure me closer.
Wait. Why was I even contemplating closing the distance? He’d broken into my house and invaded my personal space.
He was making it hard to breathe. Every breath was laced with him. I had to get him away. Had to think. Had to breathe.
I slammed my hand into his chest, expecting my magic to throw him backwards but he didn’t budge. “What the hell?”
What kind of kooky shit was this?
Maybe I was just tired. Yeah, that had to be the reason my magic wasn’t working around Byron. It couldn’t be anything else… could it?
Fuck, I was going to have to see Dara. What was I even going to say?
I groaned. I’d have to tell her about the visions and the nightmares. Not to mention the whole Byron being a vessel for my magic thing. What an absolute mess.
Byron traced his forefinger over the crease between my brows. “What is it?”
I slapped his hand away and scowled at him. “Will you just leave?”
“No can do, baby.”
“Don’t call me that.” My dick seemed to like the way he said it, and I was not okay with that.
Byron chuckled as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. “We’ve got to go and see Dara later today and I didn’t want to give you the chance to run away from me again.”
I blinked at him. “I didn’t run away. You did.”
“No,” he said with a shake of his head. “I think you’ll find I left you standing in your own little pity party before you could run away from me.”
He was insufferable when he was right. “And what do you mean visit Dara?”
“Vlad has ordered me to take you to see her, so you’re stuck with me for the day.”
“What?”
“I might have mentioned about me holding your magic to the others.” Byron stood, slid his coat off and folded it over the back of my armchair. He then removed his guns, dropping them into the seat and started to unbutton his trousers.
“What are you doing?”
He raised a sharp eyebrow. “I’m taking my clothes off so I can get into bed with you.”
“Fuck off,” I spluttered in disbelief. “No, you’re not.”
He pouted like I’d genuinely upset him. “But I want to.”
“Tough shit.” Although part of me was a little thrilled that he wanted to stay. There was something comforting about the thought of having a certified hitman sleeping next to me. At least nothing would kill me whilst he was here.
Maybe I’d actually get some sleep.
Byron let his trousers fall, and he stepped out of his boots before whipping his black turtleneck over his head.
Holy fuck.
Byron was delicious. He was toned but not in an ‘I’ve-been-to-the-gym-every day’ way.
It was more like he’d earned every muscle from fighting in the streets.
From fighting for his life. His thighs were thick and powerful, his chest wide and hips narrow.
There were smatterings of scars all over his body and some looked newer than others, still having that pink tinge to them.
He also had a tattoo on his left pec, just above his heart but he was too far away for me to see what it said.
“You’re drooling,” he said, a smug grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Am not.” There was a distinct possibility that I could be.
He snorted as he dropped to all fours and crawled up the bed beside me.
I licked my lips as I watched the muscles ripple in his back and jeez, the round globes of his ass were breathtaking.
Every inch of the man looked lethal and there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that this man was a predator despite only being human. It was impressive.
Fucking hell, I must be more tired than I thought. There was no way I was admiring this man. And what the fuck was he doing in my bed? What the fuck was I doing letting him get into my bed?!
Byron flopped onto his back next to me and pulled the covers over him. “Can I kiss you?”
“No.”
“Can I hold you?”
“No.”
Byron huffed and folded his arms across his chest. “You’re no fun.”
I threw my hands up in the air. “What did you expect, Byron? You’ve broken into my house and invited yourself into my bed despite me telling you not to. Did you think you could just turn up and fuck me?”
He turned to face me, and he had the most adorable pout on his face. “Yes. Pretty much. You kissed me.”
A laugh slipped past my lips before I could hold it back. “You’re ridiculous. I only kissed you to get my magic back.”
“Now I know that’s a lie,” he replied. “You were still kissing me after your magic had left me.”
Fuck. I’d hoped he hadn’t noticed that.
“And then you tried to flee so I have to deduce that you were conflicted over the kiss. That means that some part of you enjoyed kissing me.” Then he hit me with that pout again coupled with the most intense puppy dog eyes I’d ever seen. “Please can I kiss you again?”
“You’re trying to manipulate me.”
“Yes. Is it working?”
A little too much. “No.”
He grinned up at me. “Liar.”
“Just go to sleep, Byron,” I sighed, my tiredness getting the better of me.
I slipped back under the covers and turned my back on him.
Probably not the most sensible thing to do, turning my back on a notorious killer, but I didn’t want to succumb to the temptation to do something stupid like kiss the guy.
“Good night, Wilder,” Byron whispered. “You’ll be safe with me.”
I doubted that. I think I was in very real danger of being completely comfortable with this man in my space. I should have been drifting into a panic attack but instead, I drifted off into the most peaceful night’s sleep I’d had in years.
I awoke with a start. I felt cold and alone which was a strange feeling to have considering I woke up alone every day. There was a clatter of something coming from somewhere deep in the house followed by a shout of expletives.
The memory of last night filtered through my sleep-addled brain.
Byron was in my house.
He’d stayed the night.
The psychopath had slept next to me.
I was a fucking idiot.
I groaned and dragged the covers over my face, instantly regretting it. They smelled like Byron. The scent of his cologne and something that was just him. Musky and fiery and why was I still sniffing my covers like a creep?
There was another loud bang from the kitchen. I should probably go and check if Byron was alright, but he was a big boy. I’m sure he’d faced worse enemies than my oven. Besides, I really didn’t want to move. I felt blissful and rejuvenated.
Dear lord, did I owe my decent sleep to Byron fucking Blake? That was a little soul destroying.
“Ah, you’re awake,” Byron said cheerfully as he strode into my room carrying a tray. “Sit up, Wilder. I’ve brought you breakfast.”
“Breakfast?” I asked, a little dumbfounded. To be honest, I was a little distracted by his lack of a shirt.
“Yes. There wasn’t much in your cupboards. Or fridge, but I managed to scrape together the ingredients for an omelette.”
I sat up and blinked at him. “An omelette?”
Byron placed the tray on my lap then touched my forehead with the back of his hand. “Are you feeling alright?”
“Yes. You made breakfast?”
Byron nodded and rested his hands on his hips, drawing my attention to how low his trousers were hanging.
My eyes traced his happy trail as it disappeared into his boxers—which I could see because his trousers were that low—and jeez, I suddenly didn’t want an omelette.
I wanted to sink my teeth into his well-defined hip bones and lick my way up his ridiculously sexy V-line.
But this was Byron. There was no way in hell I was going anywhere near him.
Hopefully.
“Like what you see?” He asked with a smug grin in his face.
Yes. “No. Did you deliberately not wear a shirt just to try to distract me?”
His stupid smile widened. “I don’t know what you mean. I couldn’t find an apron, and I didn’t want to spoil my jumper while I made breakfast for you. It’s cashmere.”
I looked down at the breakfast he’d placed in front of me, and it looked really good. The omelette looked fluffy, there was a glass of fresh orange and a coffee. I narrowed my eyes at him. “Is this poisoned?”
His expression fell in the blink of an eye. “I don’t use poison, I prefer knives. And besides, I want to sink my cock in your ass. Can’t do that if you’re dead. Now eat your breakfast and get dressed. We’re going to see Dara.”
My stomach dropped at the mention of my sister’s name. This was it. The moment I had to face the music and actually figure my shit out.
And why was Byron the person fate had deemed a suitable person to accompany me?
Byron left me in peace to eat my breakfast, and I was grateful for that. He was intimidating at the best of times and have him watch over me like a hawk whilst I ate was going to make me feel all sorts of uncomfortable.
After I finished the best omelette that I’d ever eaten, I showered, threw some clothes on and headed downstairs.
My house was relatively small, but it was big enough for me.
After Dara and I left home, I wanted my own space.
I’d been around people too much and the thought of sharing space with anyone else made a panic attack grip my throat.
So, what made Byron different?
I hadn’t panicked when he’d slept next to me. In fact, I’d slept like the dead.
Well, I was going to file that thought away for another time because I was about to deal with a whole other pile of shit.
“Ready?”
I flinched at the sudden sound, having gotten lost in the myriad of thoughts twirling through my brain. I was taken aback by how dark and lethal Byron looked in his standard outfit. I’d seen it many times before but seeing him in it after he’d been in my bed made it seem more… intimidating.
I swallowed, my throat dry and scratchy. “Yeah. I guess.”
Byron looked me up and down, his eyes darkening. “Then let’s go.”
He flicked the collar of his coat up like some archetypal villain and strode out of my house with purpose. I followed him out, resetting all my protection wards as I left. Although why I even bothered was beyond me. I was about to step into the car of the biggest monster I’d ever met, anyway.