Page 31 of Tangled Lies

I’d seen him stabbing a man, breaking noses on counters, and yet what my brain and body focused on was the muscles it took to achieve all of it. Or maybe it was the muscles that it took to carry me around like I was nothing. I stood on my tiptoes trying to figure out what the dark shadow was on the base of Ronan’s neck.

His hand grabbed mine before I could touch it, but it was probably blood.

“What, little bird, are you thinking?”

I narrowed my eyes and sucked on my lower lip. It was best to create some space, and I tried, but his hand on my lower back made it impossible.

“Fine. Don’t speak; however, I am not treating you like a dog. More like an annoying little bird that can’t seem to keep itself out of trouble,” he said.

I stomped my foot and took a very purposeful step into his body. I shoved my finger into his solid chest, regretting it as it felt like poking a brick wall.

I shook my hand trying to get rid of the sting. I refused to let him be an asshole.

“I was not in trouble because I tried to be. Not my fault my uncle’s a prick and thinks he can just sell me off last minute. Pardon me for destroying your night. Something just tells me that if I enter Carrow’s mansion, I won’t be coming out again.”

I glared.

“What did I interrupt anyway? You boys have a little orgy or something? Please, by all means, go back to it.” On that last word I lost my anger. I guess, in a way, I did have a knack for getting into trouble without even meaning too.

Ronan didn’t move nor did he react to a damn thing I said.

“Fine. You’re right. Trouble follows me, I guess. So thanks for helping me.”

I walked my fingers up his chest, trying a different tactic when he remained a statue. The fucker wasn’t reacting.

“So does that mean you’re my new trouble? I can be a good little bird if you’re the cat.”

I swear I could see his Adam's apple bob. Good, finally. He grabbed my wrist before I could explore any further. Whenhe looked down at me, it was my turn to swallow down the desperate desire to touch him.

“Be a good little bird and stay in your fucking cage. Believe me when I say you don’t want me to catch you again.”

Try as I might, I couldn’t keep my face blank. I couldn’t even force the smile that made my uncle happy. The one that said I would do as told. The one that said I was perfect and silent. No. My lip twitched at the corner. I was dying to play.

“I’ll stay put, wouldn’t want to interrupt your boy time. Are you guys like a thing?”

His eyes flicked over my face and my entire body broke out in a chill.

His index finger lifted my chin.

“We are not a thing. We are chosen brothers, and if a woman were to ever get in between us, well she wouldn’t live to do that,” he said. I couldn’t tell whether he was amused or angry, but his tone told me this wasn’t a threat, more like a promise.

“Fine. I’ll stay, but not because you asked. I’d rather see what happens with the four of you and just one me locked away up here. Which one of you will be my prince and rescue me from my tower?”

I backed away from him and fell to the bed when my legs hit the side. Maybe he has a really good poker face, but the way he watched me? I was getting to him.

“Ronan, I’m interested in revenge, and I’m willing to pay a lot to get it.”

I couldn’t be certain, but I wanted to believe the sparkle in his eyes wasn’t just the lighting. I wanted to believe it was something I said, piquing his interest.

I needed to stay here and needed to make sure he wanted me to. Even in this den of wolves, I felt safer than I ever did in the snake pit.

Ronan turned to leave, stopping at the door.

“I don’t know what you think we’re offering. But if it’s revenge you want, I’m sure we can oblige you for a price, but a prince? No one in the house will ever rescue you, Rapunzel. You’re better finding your own way down.”

He turned and walked out, and I grabbed his pillow and threw it against the door as it closed.

“Jerk.”