Page 93 of Blood and Thorns

Graves’s nostrils flared. “Where did he go after?”

“That isn’t my concern,” I replied, voice like ice. “Maybe check the Thames. I’ve heard it’s pretty busy this time of year.”

Graves whipped his eyes to mine, violence thickening the air. “My offer still stands,” he said to her, despite his attention remaining on me. “I can save you, all you have to do is–”

“I don’t need saving,” she cut in sharply. “Now just go. Please.”

His features hardened, but before he could comment further, I warned, “Careful, otherwise you may meet your friend sooner than you think.”

Something sinister flashed in Graves’s eyes, and a smile cut across his face, cruel and devoid of civility. “Just so we’re clear, baby, you’re really choosing to stay with a known murderer and drug lord instead of coming home with me?”

“As opposed to a dirty cop?” I said, my voice low and steady.

Graves chuckled, the sound mocking. “This isn’t over,” he murmured, his eyes lingering on Arabella before he turned to leave without another word.

As the door shut behind him, Arabella pulled away from me, crossing the room to create distance. “Was that really necessary?” There was a bite to her words, her lips pressed into a stern line when she looked up at me.

“Why? Care about him?” Seemed I wasn’t quite over the jealousy of her being with Graves first. It wasn’t something I was used to, and it made me step closer until she was forced against the wall. Still, she jerked her chin up, her eyes narrowed.

“Stop acting like a caveman,” she snapped.

“Is that what I am,belle?”

“It’s Ara,” she growled, and I bit back a laugh.

“You can’t be benevolent to everyone in this world, especially pricks who’ve caused you harm.”

“Stop acting like being kind is a weakness.” Her hands clenched at her sides, and I kept myself from smirking at her little show of frustration.

“It is in my world.” I dipped my head but purposely kept a cushion of air between us.

She kept pushing, and the only reason I wasn’t punishing her against this wall was because I was patiently waiting until we were alone. Where she’d take her punishment where no one else could witness.

“There was no need to tell him Lennon was dead. It was cruel.”

“I never said he was dead.”

“You implied it.”

This time I did smile, dipping my head closer to feel her breath feather across my lips before my phone vibrated in my pocket.

I ignored it, my attention entirely on her.

Arabella let out another sign of frustration. “Gabriel means nothing to me. He asked me to marry him last year, and I said no.”

Rage boiled through me at the idea of this fucker claiming her. “Why?”

“Because he wasn’t the guy I thought he was.” Her voice was quiet. “My dad was furious. Gabriel offered him money, which was obviously taken away when I declined.”

“He ever hit you?” The thought sent white-hot fury through my core.

Arabella frowned. “My dad?”

“Gabriel,” I gritted out.

“Oh… no.”

“Your answer isn’t convincing.”