Page 46 of Thorns of Silence

He seemed different than he used to be around me. At this moment, his entire presence was tainted with darkness and he wore his ruthlessness like a second skin. He looked like a nightmare come to life.

Dante stopped and glanced over his shoulder but I pressed myself against the hull of the yacht so he wouldn’t see me. Except, his dark gaze came my way.

“You go on, I’m going to have a smoke.” I watched his mouth move as he spoke to Amon, who then disappeared inside. I held my breath, my heart likely bruising my ribs from how hard it was hammering. I should jump to my feet and bolt into the bedroom and lock the door. The girls were in there, and I suspected Dante wouldn’t want to have witnesses.

He lit his cigarette, the burning cherry illuminating his handsome, brutal face. He made three graceful strides until he stood in front of me, so close I could feel the heat radiating off him. So close that I could smell his raw scent.

My vision dimmed, terror inflating in my throat.

“Hello, Nix. Waiting for me?” The mocking leer on his face was unmistakable.

Dread grabbed hold of my lungs, smothering each breath and pushing tremors through me.

“Why are you all bloody?”My shaking hands as I signed were contrasted by his calm and collected gestures. He looked savage even under the cloak of night, and without warning, I was on my feet and running. Where? I had no idea, but I didn’t make it far before strong arms caught me from behind.

Dante’s hand covered my mouth, his hot breath against my nape. Shivers rolled down my spine. The scent of copper mixed with his own. I hated it as much as I loved it. What was happening to me? Where was my backbone? I couldn’t let his effect on me tamper with my resolve to stay away.

Slowly, he turned me around, still keeping his hand over my mouth. “Don’t scream.” I blinked once, twice. “Promise.”

I nodded hesitantly, and the moment he removed his hand from my mouth, I inhaled a deep breath.

“Why are you all bloody?”I asked again, this time with renewed strength, my hands and voice no longer wavering.

I stared at him as he blew a cloud of smoke into my face. Then he dragged another in before releasing an even longer puff, tilting his head as if to study me.

“I had to teach someone a lesson.”

My brows scrunched.“And that’s supposed to explain so much blood?”

He smiled savagely.

“When he touched something that didn’t belong to him, yeah.” He brought a hand to his mouth and took another drag. “And guess what he touched, dandelion?” I remained tight-lipped. I really wished he’d stop calling me that. It only brought back bitter memories. “You.” Then he flicked the cigarette into the water and my nose scrunched distastefully. “What? Do I disgust you?”

I sighed and rolled my eyes.“Finally you’re getting the point,”I signed.“So go to your cabin and shower. Leave me alone.”

I needed to maintain some distance between us. Every time I was near him, I lost all poise and control. Even after his admission, my heart trembled, trying to claw out of my chest and leap to him.

A look of raw sadness crossed his face. “Why?” When I gave him a confused look, he added, “Why do you hate me so much?”

My heart stung with a fresh wave of bitterness and pain, and the flurry of emotions tore me apart. But I refused to let the world see, for this man to see. I closed my eyes for a moment and my face tipped up toward the dark sky. Heleftme. I could have forgiven that, but not leaving our baby behind.

“I screamed.”The tremor was back with a vengeance.“I screamed until my throat bled. You weren’t there.”What scared me the most was that, just like before, I wanted to hand my heart and soul over to him. I wanted him to have it all.“Where were you?”

He frowned in confusion and his eyes darkened, shadows flickering through them.

“What do you mean?” My stomach dropped like lead and a quiver started in my chest. Angry. Bitter.Red.I felt like I was going to be sick at his display of blatant ignorance.

We stared at each other, and a thick, almost suffocating tension filled the air. I wanted to ignore this anger simmering through me.

I swallowed and tried to keep my hands steady as I signed, “Just forget it.”

Something dark moved through his eyes as he leaned back against the rail. “No, I don’t think I will. Now, elaborate.”

Unease suddenly prickled at my skin. I went to move, but his wide shoulders blocked my path. His presence, heavy and palpable, filled the space while volatile anger poured off him. It…he… was freaking terrifying.

“I’m done with this conversation.”

I was shaking with anger. Something thick flowed through the air—his tension combined with my irritation, if I were to guess.