Page 31 of Don’t Hate Me (Secrets of Ravens Hollow #2)

Dark ominous clouds roll in quickly, joined by the rumble of thunder.

This place is beautiful even with the threat of a storm.

The truth is I’m more worried about the destruction that’s going to happen inside this place tonight, than what’s going to happen out here with a bit of wind and rain.

With the crazy tension building, there is only so long they can hold off before World War Three erupts and someone gets killed.

Reef can’t take his hands off me, and as much as I enjoy him so close after not seeing him for a week, it’s only a matter of time before he causes Orlando to snap.

Onyx is a ticking time bomb; I have never seen him like this before, filled with so much rage.

Romeo hasn’t seen his brother in years, and we all know there is no love lost between the two of them.

He would kill his brother given half the chance, and I know Orlando is putting on this whole controlled front, trying to bring them all together to help me, but he’s jealous as hell and the most psycho one of them all. If he loses control, we’re all fucked.

I feel one of them behind me and turn to find Onyx approaching, hands in his pockets. “It’s not safe for you to sit out here in this storm,” he grumbles.

“It’s safer out here than in there,” I mutter, with a roll of my eyes.

His glare intensifies at my disobedience.

“It’s not raining yet. I’ll come inside when it starts,” I huff, before he has a chance to jump down my throat.

Not needing his attitude right now, I look away from him, concentrating on the waves now crashing against the jetty so I don’t have to see the disappointment on his face. Fuck, he’s an asshole sometimes.

Silence hangs heavily in the air, but I know he’s still standing behind me, probably with his arms crossed and his glare aimed at me.

But I’m just as angry. He’s been in my life for years, and he might be the one protecting me, but he has also kept shit from me, lied to me, and made me fucking fall for him even though I knew I shouldn’t.

He warned me not to fall in love with him, but I couldn’t help myself.

I did anyway, and now he’s back to business and I’m left feeling empty and all torn up inside.

I close my eyes, trying to get my shit under control before I snap and tell him what I’m really thinking.

“I can’t believe you,” he growls bitterly.

I flick my attention back to him. “What the fuck?”

“Don’t play dumb with me.” His eyes narrow. “You know what I’m talking about. You and him.”

My heart aches all over again, for a completely different reason this time. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt any of them, and I can see right now this anger toward me is more than that. I hurt him. “Onyx, it’s more complicated than you think.”

“I can’t see how, we both know what he tried to do to you. Now what, you’re fucking him? Have you no self-preservation, Sloane?” The disappointment in his voice is crushing.

I stare up at him, not sure how to explain this situation but knowing I have to if Onyx and I are ever going to get past this.

Taking a deep breath, I stand up, looking at him eye to eye.

“He’s not the man you think he is. That night changed everything for him as well.

He’s a different person now,” I try to explain, but my words feel weak.

This thing I have with Orlando can’t be explained in words; it’s just a feeling.

A knowing that he’s not the man he used to be.

Onyx’s jaw tightens, and he glares back at me. “You really believe that bullshit?”

I blink back at him. “Yes. I’ve seen it. If he wasn’t, why would he be helping me?”

His anger is a tangible force, a heat radiating off him that makes the hairs on my arms stand on end.

Because I know why, I know where he’s gone back to, and I don’t even blame him.

“Maybe he wants something else from you, and this is all just a way to manipulate you,” he growls, hate in every one of his words.

I sigh heavily, feeling like we’re going around in circles.

He’s so angry, and I don’t know how to get through to him.

“I can’t blame you for thinking that about Orlando.

I have considered the same myself. But I don’t think he is.

” I try to reach for Onyx, taking his hand in mine, and I’m surprised when he lets me.

“Onyx, we both know things aren’t always what they seem.

But Orlando has done nothing but try and help me this past week.

I have seen another side to him than what he shows the rest of the world.

And right now, he came to the three of you for help to save me, knowing the risk it posed to what we have started.

He’s jealous as hell of you three, but he put that aside and he came to you for assistance when he knew he needed it.

Let you into his home, instead of handing me over to his fucking papa and taking the cash. That says something, doesn’t it?”

His eyes run over me, searching my face desperately. “You should hate him for what he did to you. The years of pain he inflicted on you, the nightmares, the fucking panic attacks. I was there by your side the whole-time, trouble, I know how bad it gets.”

The weight of his words rests heavy on my shoulders.

I get it, I know exactly how Onyx feels.

“I do hate him, but I’m pretty sure he hates himself more.

You have to believe me when I say that man in there trying to help me isn’t the man who hurt me.

He died that night and woke up in a hospital bed alone, away from his fucked-up family.

What happened to him changed him.” My hand moves to the back of his neck, and I stare up at him, pleading with him to trust me on this.

“Onyx, please, I missed you like crazy. I can’t stand the way you’re looking at me right now like you can’t forgive me.

This past week has been hell without you.

I can’t live with you looking at me the way you are. ”

His head drops, and I feel his pain. “I fucked up, Sloane. I never should have left you in your office alone.”

My heart aches for him. Now it makes sense, he’s angry with himself.

“None of this is on you. You three did everything you could that night. How were any of us to know Orlando would show up pretending to be his brother just to get me out of there? But the truth is, if he didn’t, Syd would have gotten me that night.

He was closing in, I was about to be his next victim. ”

“I know,” he agrees, his voice heavy with regret.

I blink back up at him, confused. “What do you mean you know?”

“When the power went out, he snuck in through the back door. I saw him on the new video surveillance I had installed. This one didn’t run off the same electrical system as the club.

It was battery operated and caught everything.

From Orlando walking out of there with you, to Syd sneaking in on the hunt for you.

He made it to your office not five minutes after Orlando dragged you out of there. ”

A shiver runs over me. He was so close.

“He messed the place up, Sloane, left a knife buried in your desk with a note.”

“My girl…?” I ask, not really wanting to know the details of his message for me.

His hand skates down my arm, and he pulls me a little closer into him. “Exactly, and now it all makes sense. You were the daughter he never wanted.”

“He called me his, even though I never was. He hates me because Mom was killed because of me. Because he thinks I stole his family from him.” A whimpered cry escapes my lips as I say the words.

I was a little girl whose family had been killed, probably by him, and he hated me. What kind of fucked-up human is he?

He holds me close, sucking in a labored breath. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again. You got that?”

“Yeah, I don’t even care about your rules anymore, handcuff me to you for all I care. This past week, Onyx, I have never wished to have you following me around more.”

He moves so I’m forced to pull back from him, looking up into his eyes. “You’re not going to fight me on it?” His forehead creases, and I see his confusion.

“Hell no! That night scared the shit out of me. I thought he was going to kill me. I can promise you I will never fight you on your overbearing protection again. Orlando might, though, he’s just as crazy as you when it comes to me.”

“Good. I only want what’s best for you, trouble. You know that, right?”

I nod. “Actually, I have a favor to ask.”

“What?” he grumbles.

I nibble my lip, not sure if I should ask him or not, but I need help and he has the skills.

“While we’re here together, can you teach me how to fight?

I know you and Reef were trained in all sorts of techniques when you were younger.

Teach me so I can defend myself. That crowbar was a lucky find in the trunk, and next time I might not be so lucky. ”

His lips twitch up at the sides at the mention of what I did to Orlando. “You did good, trouble. How did you get out of the handcuffs he took you out of the club in?”

I can’t help but grin back at him. “Bobby pin from my hair. Pretty sure I surprised the shit out of him when I attacked him cuff-free.” I laugh, seeing Orlando’s face as I attacked him.

“I bet you did.” He smiles, impressed.

“The water was my downfall. I tried to swim, but the water was so cold, and I was in my clothes, and he was so much faster than me. I had no chance against him. All my life I thought I was tough, you know, like you and my brothers, but I’m not.

” My head drops at the realization. If Orlando had wanted me dead that night, there would have been nothing I could have done to stop him.

His hand moves to my face and he cups my chin, gazing down at me, a little glint back in his eyes I know he only ever has just for me. “You’re tough as nails, trouble. Don’t you ever let anyone tell you otherwise.”

I half-smile back at him. Not really believing his words. I wish I did, but too much has changed. Reality has slapped me so hard in the face I can’t go back to my delusion. I need Onyx by my side.

“Now Orlando’s giving you swimming lessons?” Onyx mutters like he really can’t believe it.

“I told you he’s not who you think. You have to trust me on that.”

He sighs heavily. “I’ll teach you how to fight and protect yourself. If the Moretti brothers fail, we will be ready for whoever comes for you.”

“Thank you.” I smile up at him, my hands coming to the back of his neck.

His eyes narrow, becoming more serious again. “You scare me like that again, trouble, I will lock you up and throw away the key, you understand?” He pulls something from his pocket and takes my wrist in his hand, slipping the charm bracelet he gave me for my birthday back onto my wrist.

I watch him, wanting to call him out on his stalking ways, but the truth is, I get it.

He needs to know where I am, and I’m safer if he does.

“Yeah, I get it.” I close the gap between us, popping up on my toes.

I press my lips to his, not waiting any longer for what I need, clinging to him as if my life depends on it.

His lips on mine feel like everything. He shoves his tongue in my mouth possessively, and I know he’s right here with me.

Thank fuck. I didn’t lose him. As our kiss deepens, thunderclaps cross the sky, the heavens open up, and rain comes pouring down.

But neither of us pull back and run inside.

For a week I have imagined this kiss, and I don’t care if I’m soaked to the bone, I’m getting my moment with Onyx alone.