Page 10 of A Raven Realized (The Raven’s Den #5)

As they left his townhouse and strolled toward the bookstore, her eyes darted about, taking it all in.

Had she never been into the city before?

She pressed herself close. The knowledge that she took comfort in being near and trusted him to keep her safe, made his heart purr.

She would probably feel differently if she knew he was going to take a man’s life when he left her tonight.

But that didn’t change the fact that he would keep her safe.

Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she stepped through the door to the shop, a smile growing on her mouth as her gaze glided over all the book-lined shelves.

She pressed her palms together in front of her. “How will I ever choose one?”

“You won’t. You’ll choose two.” She glowed with happiness at his words. It was only sensible, though. What if she chose one she didn’t enjoy?

She spent the next hour looking at one book after another.

She’d read many of them, pointing at their spines, giving him enthusiastic summaries, or reciting her favorite lines.

Watching her was his own treat. It was the most animated he’d seen her.

Books clearly delighted her. They left the shop, her newfound treasures in hand and a smile on her face.

As they walked past the flower stand on their way home, her gaze wandered over all the different blooms, so he stopped. “Take a moment to look at them all and decide which ones are your favorite. I’m going to step across the street for a moment to order some food to be delivered for you tonight.”

He walked quickly, not giving her a chance to argue, and only looked back once he was on the other side. She was bent down smelling some kind of purple flowers.

The landlady of the pub that kept him fed was outside, probably returning from making a delivery. He wasn’t the only man The Lion’s Head provided meals to.

“Good evening, Mr. Allister.”

“Good evening, Suzy. I have a guest staying at my house.” He pointed across the street. “Her name is Madelene. Will you please see that she’s fed tonight?”

“I’d be happy to. What about yourself?”

He shook his head. “I’ll be working, but I’ll probably stop in and grab a pasty to take with me.”

She nodded. “Don’t you worry. I’ll see that she has a nice hearty meal.”

“Thank you, Suzy.”

She raised a brow and tapped her cheek. Simon chuckled and brushed a quick kiss over it. She was sweet, and always treated him like a young lad, reminding him of his manners.

As he crossed back to Madelene, a large man sidled up beside her and his hand came to rest on her backside. Her face was terror-stricken as she looked up at him. Anger bristled through Simon, and he sprinted to her side.

“Why did you run off yesterday?” he heard the man say as he neared.

His rage burned hot as he gently moved Madelene behind him and inserted himself between them. The man smelled of liquor and rotten teeth.

“We was talk?—”

Before he could finish his statement, Simon grabbed his hand and wrenched his fingers backward. The man gave a startled shout of pain and dropped to his knees.

“If I ever see you anywhere near her again, I will end your life before you can draw your next breath. Do you understand me?”

The man nodded frantically. Simon pushed his fingers a bit further, demanding more than a nod.

“Yes, yes!” he yelled desperately.

“Good.” Simon grasped the man’s middle finger and jerked it sideways. The bone snapped and the man howled, pulling his hand in to cradle it against his chest.

He continued to wail on the ground behind him as Simon turned back to Madelene. Her face was white with fear. “Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head slightly, her brow dropping into a furrow.

“Did you find some you like?” He gestured to the flowers trying to get her attention onto something more pleasant.

After a moment, she slowly moved her gaze away from his face and pointed at some orange flowers.

“We’ll take those ones, please.” He dropped a few extra coins into the woman’s hand as an apology for scaring away potential customers.

He didn’t miss Madelene’s flinch when he placed his hand at her back to lead her away from the flower shop.

Bugger it. He hadn’t meant to scare her.

Perhaps he’d grown jaded. His job required violence from him on a regular basis.

Between that, and taking down this fake marriage scheme, he’d become quite nonchalant about causing men pain.

The bad ones at least. It hadn’t even occurred to him that it might frighten her.

But it very clearly had. Soon, he’d be finished with his list and could leave that life behind.

Although, his new life, whatever that was, would likely include violence, as well. That's what he was good at, after all.

She tucked her arms in and walked quietly beside him, staring down at the flowers she carried as they returned to his townhouse.

He closed the door softly and sighed. She still hadn’t looked at him.

“I’ll never hurt you, Madelene. You don’t need to be afraid of me.”

She turned around and nodded but didn’t look up at him. Gently, he lifted her chin and looked into her eyes.

“I’ll never hurt you, Madelene.”

Her gaze was assessing as it moved over his face, but then she threw her arms around him, her paper-wrapped bundle of flowers pressed against his back.

It surprised him and he froze, but after a moment, he pulled her tightly against him.

He wished she would just tell him what she was thinking.

He was bewildered, but glad to have her in his arms, all the same.

Eventually, she let go of him and stepped back.

“Why don’t I see if I can find something to hold your flowers and you can take your books up to your room?”

A small smile found its way through her uncertainty as she looked at the parcel he held out for her. She nodded and handed over the flowers before accepting the books.

As she climbed the stairs, he felt as if they’d taken two steps back.

He tracked down his only vase and filled it with water.

Even that vase he only owned because of his sister.

While she’d lived with him, he’d brought her flowers regularly to try and brighten her mood.

Sadly, they never helped. Not for long, at least. He removed the paper the orange flowers had been wrapped in, untied the string holding them together, and placed them in the water.

Hopefully they would still bring Madelene some joy, even if he had frightened her.

As he placed them in the center of the small kitchen table, she appeared in the doorway.

“I have to leave soon. Will you be alright here alone?”

She nodded, fidgeting her fingers, but then she finally spoke. “May I kiss you before you leave?”

The question caught him so off guard he froze. Even his breathing stopped for a beat. It was his turn to nod. Perhaps they hadn’t taken two steps back after all.

She walked tentatively toward him. “I’ll need more than a nod, Simon.”

That surprised a laugh out of him. “I would like nothing more.”

She lifted herself on tiptoe, her lips soft and sweet as they pressed lightly against his.

It took all of his resolve not to pull her in and plunder her mouth.

As a precaution, he clasped his hands behind his back, allowing her time to explore at her own pace.

The last thing he wanted to do was startle her.

Her tongue traced along the seam of his lips, and when he opened for her, she slipped cautiously inside, teasing the tip of his tongue.

Dear God. He groaned as lust stormed through him.

Slowly, she lowered herself back to the floor, his lips instantly agonizing over her retreat. “Thank you,” she said softly.

He laughed again. What was he supposed to say to that?