Page 71 of Ruined By a Devil

The silence in the office becomes deafening, Papà remining speechless and Malachi and I waiting to get a reaction from him.

He lets go of the desk and runs a hand over his face, turning around to look out the large window behind his desk at the spotless lawn.

“No one leaked anything,” Papà says in a quiet voice and my stomach drops into a bottomless pit.

“Papà?” I speak, my voice weak. “What did you do?”

“I wanted to keep the relationship with Nolan civil, so I invited him and shared the wedding arrangements with him,” Papà sighs. “I swear to you, Jade, I did not know he was going to abduct you.”

I stare at him. The man who raised me put my life at risk. I don’t even recognize him. Malachi’s body tenses, but he remains put and silent, which I’m sure isn’t easy for him, but he’s keeping his promise of letting me deal with Papà.

“It was politics, Jade,” Papà snaps, his temper finally flaring. “You don’t understand how these things work! I made a calculated risk to protect the family!”

“I am your family!” I yell back, my voice echoing off the high ceiling. “And you almost got me killed!”

“Enough,” Papà says, pointing a finger at me. He straightens his suit jacket, shifting back into absolute authority mode. “The situation is a mess, but you are alive. We will deal with Nolan later. Right now, you are staying here, where you’re safe.”

I don’t move but Malachi does. He steps past me, closing the distance to the desk.

Papà freezes, staring at Malachi. “What is this?”

“A reminder,” Malachi says. His voice isn’t loud, but it cuts through the room like a blade. “She is my wife and she doesn’t take orders from you anymore. She doesn’t sleep under your roof. She doesn’t sit in your rooms. You don’t tell her where to go, and you never, ever offer her up as a pawn again.”

“Once again you are disrespecting me in my own house⁠—”

“I am letting you breathe in your own house,” Malachi corrects him. “That is the only respect you get today.”

Malachi turns his back on my Papà, turning to face me, his eyes full of determination. “We’re leaving.”

I look at Papà one last time. He is standing frozen behind his desk, staring at the us, the realization that he doesn’t have any control anymore finally hitting him. I don’t even say goodbye, there’s no point. He’s the man who sold me out and then tried to lock me up in his golden cage again.

My head is spinning as we walk outside, heading to Malachi’s car. But just as I’m about to step inside, a sharp and deafening sound echoes around us and a massive chunk of stone explodes off the pillar directly to my left, showering my face with dust.

“Down!” Malachi shouts, as he grabs my jacket, pulling me hard backward. We slam against the side of the Mercedes, and he shoves me down onto the ground, pressing my back against the tire. He covers my entire body with his own, shielding me completely from the open lawn.

There’s another crack not long after and the rear passenger window shatters.

“Second floor balcony! East wing!” One of Malachi’s men yells, I think it’s Jake but I’m too distracted with everything that’s going on to focus on him.

Gunfire erupts as Malachi’s men start returning fire toward the upper windows of the estate. I don’t look to see where Papà’s men are but judging by how many bullets continue to fire in our direction, I’d say a handful of them are still standing.

I press my hands over my ears, squeezing my eyes shut. Malachi’s weight is heavy on top of me, and once again I find myself feeling grateful that he’s chosen me. That he’s protecting me, even at the cost of his own life.

Suddenly, Malachi grunts, his body jerking hard against mine.

“Fuck!”

“You’re shot!” My eyes widen with realization, the overwhelming horror taking over me.

I can’t lose him.

“I’ll be fine,” he says, his breath shallow.

He grabs my arm, hauling me off the ground and throwing me into the backseat over the broken glass. He dives in right behind me.

“Drive!” Malachi yells at someone behind the wheel.

I didn’t even realize someone got behind the wheel of his Mercedes.