Chapter 19 #3
"You'll know only when you ask for it."
I sigh, reaching into my coat. I pull out the old newspaper clipping about my mother's disappearance and hold it up between us. "Have you seen this?"
Rhys takes it from my fingers and reads it through, eyes scanning every line.
When he finishes, his expression is unreadable.
"This is news to me. I never looked into your mother, Marguerite.
Interesting, though, that they mention she had a stalker.
" He tilts his head, studying my face. "Are you worried that stalker killed her and now you think I'll do the same to you? "
I open my mouth, then shuts it again, swallowing whatever I was about to say.
"I'm worried there might be more to my mum than just a rich woman who fell for a lowly toymaker," I say instead. "Her parents disowned her for it. She died giving birth to me and my sisters."
"That's what your father told you?"
I nod. "I was thinking of calling that number for the Hansburg residence to see if it still belonged to her parents, but I haven't tried yet. And now that you've dropped this thing about my father being the butcher, I'll have to figure this out first."
"I'm going to investigate for you," Rhys says. "Find out if there's more to what happened to Marguerite."
I snatch the newspaper back and tuck it into my coat. "No. I'll find out on my own. I don't trust you."
I turn to leave, but he moves fast, grabbing me from behind. His hand slides down and squeezes my ass hard, fingers digging into the flesh through my dress. He pulls me back against him, his breath hot against my ear.
"You can run from the truth all you want, cracked doll," he murmurs, voice thick with possession, "but your cunt's already wet for the man who knows every filthy secret your father's been hiding.
And when you finally beg me to show you what you really saw that night, I'll make you come on my fingers while you scream my name instead.”
I tell him straight, voice tight. "I'm not interested in fucking you."
Rhys answers with his mouth already on my neck, lips dragging slow across the skin just below my ear.
"Why not? This morning you were trying to stuff my cock inside that tight little pussy of yours.
" His tongue follows the same path, wet and deliberate, and heat floods straight between my legs before I can stop it.
His hands slide up and cup both my breasts through the fabric of my dress, squeezing hard, thumbs pressing over my nipples until they stiffen.
He rocks his hips forward so I feel the thick line of his cock pressed tight against my arse.
"You smell so fucking sweet when you're trying to pretend you don't want it," he murmurs against my throat, teeth grazing.
"I could bend you over right now and you'd drip down your thighs before I even got inside. "
My eyes flutter shut for a second, a helpless moan slipping out. When I open them again my gaze drifts to the tall window across the room.
Two eyes stare back at me from the other side of the glass.
I scream. A loud high-pitched one.
Rhys jerks upright, startled, his hands still gripping my breasts. "What the fuck—"
I point, still staring at those eyes. He spins, body suddenly rigid, and yanks me behind him in one rough motion. His broad back shields me completely as he reaches for his phone.
"She's here," he says into the receiver, voice ice-cold. "On my window. Have everything ready. Do not let her escape." A pause. "Send the succubus to take Ophelia home." He ends the call and keeps me pinned behind him, gun already in his other hand.
I peek over his shoulder. The eyes are gone.
"What's going on?" My voice shakes. "Do you know who was climbing your window?"
"Don't be scared," he says, low and steady. "The succubus will get you home safe. I'll catch her."
"Her?" My stomach drops. "Is it the same woman who shot that blonde in your arms?"
"Stop worrying. Nothing bad will ever happen to you."
"That's not an answer," I snap.
He turns, pulls me into a hard kiss, then rests his forehead against mine. "I've never felt this way about any woman. You're mine, cracked doll—every breath, every scream, every wet little clench of that cunt. No one touches what's mine. No one takes you from me."
The door opens. The succubus steps inside wearing a sleek black dress that clings to every curve, slit high enough to flash pale thigh with each step. Her black hair falls loose around her shoulders, heels clicking softly.
"I'm ready to take her home," she says.
Rhys releases me and moves to his belt, drawing the gun. "She might follow you both. Don't let anything happen to my Ophelia or I'll destroy you."
The succubus smiles, slow and knowing. "Don't you trust me with your prized girl anymore?"
"If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't be letting you take her."
She turns to me, eyes a deep, smouldering cold gray. "Come along, sweet pea."
I look away at once and follow her out. Behind me I hear the soft metallic click of Rhys checking the chamber of his gun.