Page 22 of Ruined By a Devil

“I am comfortable with the world I grew up in,” I say, meeting his eyes. “That doesn't mean I enjoy watching people die.”

Before I catch myself and put a stop to my actions, I reach my hand out toward his scar and gently brush it with my fingers, the skin raised, rough, and thick with old trauma. Malachi reacts immediately, his grip hard around my wrist. He pulls it away from the scar, his touch searing hot against my pulse point, which is fluttering frantically.

“Don’t,” his tone is demanding and superior, dark and heavy with a dangerous authority, only making me want to disobey him even more. “Don’t touch me unless I allow you to.”

“I’m not afraid,” I protest, my breath hitching as the tension in the room snaps tight between us, but he pushes my hand aside, returning his focus to the drink. “Do you always need to be the one staying in control all the time?”

“You are yet to learn how much control I need,” he drops his voice to an intoxicating whisper. His heavy gaze dips to my lips, lingering on the damp bow of my mouth before dragging slowly back up to hold my gaze.

“And if I refuse to obey, what then?” I ask, my chest rising and falling rapidly as my heart hammers against my ribs.

“Then,” he leans closer, crowding into my space until his scent wraps around me completely, his lips almost brushing my earlobe, “I’ll enjoy teaching you to do so.”

CHAPTER TEN

Jade

“Where’s Malachi?” For the fourth day in a row, I find Milo in the living room when I get downstairs, while Malachi is nowhere to be found.

“He had to go to work early,” Milo shrugs, returning his attention to the videogame he’s been playing.

“Again?” I don’t say it at loud but I’m beginning to think that he’s avoiding me on purpose.

Being around Malachi after that night has become excruciatingly painful. So, I do what I’m best at. I avoid him and pretend everything is fine, until I can’t pretend anymore.

I’m willing to bet that he’s avoiding me, too. After giving me that whole speech about protecting me and not letting anyone near me, I almost want to call him out on it.

“Yeah,” Milo responds. “You know how this job is, work never sleeps.”

“And neither does he, apparently.” I leave Milo to his game and head to the kitchen. Just like the previous mornings, I find a prepared cup of coffee waiting for me on the counter.

And it’s how I drink it. He’s made sure to prepare my favorite coffee since the first time I told him I don’t drink any other kind. While on the outside he seems like the coldest son of a bitch I’ve encountered, I wonder if deep down he’s a delicate soul. The way he pays attention to things makes me believe he might be.

“Do you know what time he’s coming back today?” I return to the living room with a bowl of cereal and my cup of coffee and join Milo on the sofa.

“He said earlier because you two have some event to attend,” Milo responds, not taking his eyes off the game.

I’m used to our dynamics by now. Unlike the men that work for Papà, Milo seems kind and real. At least as kind as a mafia dude can be. “Right, so he didn’t forget about that.”

“Boss takes his obligations seriously.”

I jump to my feet, leaving my food behind but picking my coffee mug up. “I’ll be in my room!”

“Are you going to eat this?” He shouts after me as I climb the stairs.

“Nope!” I respond. “It’s all yours.”

Once I close the door behind me, I dive into the pile of still unpacked clothes that my mother sent over from home. If Milo is telling the truth and Malachi has been acting that way about tonight, I’m going to make sure that he gets even more excited when he sees me.

“God! Who needs so many clothes?!” I cry in despair, going through the bags and for the first time in my life, I regret having bought every cute piece of clothing that I ever laid eyes on.

I don’t even realize how much time has passed until there is a knock on the door. “Yes?”

“Milo told me you’ve been in there since this morning,” Malachi opens the door and steps inside.

“Shit!” I glance at my phone, realizing it’s already six o’clock. I didn’t even go downstairs to have lunch. “I was just getting ready for tonight.”

“Wow,” Malachi takes in the sight in front of him with terror on his face. “How can you live in a room like this?”