Somehow, I mend the tattered remnants of my pride and tackle a new day. But I won’t lie. Last night was rough. The awkward silence hung heavy between Havoc and me, turning dinner into a grueling experience. We sat across from each other, battling through the meal like we were enemies who called a temporary truce.
The thing is, I don’t know why there was hostility between us.
One moment I was in his arms, his mouth on mine…and, oh God, can the man kiss. He knocked every thought clear out of my head. Melted me. We were both having a fine time until he pushed me away physically and a million miles away mentally.
I understand he had a…complicated…childhood. And I know he hurts himself. He carries the evidence of his self-inflicted harm on his arms. But still. For him to have turned on a dime, gone from fire to ice so quickly, was…shocking.
Hurtful.
Humiliating, if I’m being honest.
Nor can I escape my mortification since I’m confronted with the evidence of our kiss whenever I look in the mirror.
Havocbitme.
Thrice.
What’s crazy is how much I liked it. Maybe a littletoomuch.
The first time he sank his teeth into my neck, it was little more than a nibble. A tease to wake the nerves. The second sent a wicked thrill through me. The third made me want to tackle him to the floor and ride him until my kneecaps shattered.
Good Lord.
Who am I? Because I’m not the same Kerri Ward who follows every rule to the letter. Who got straight As in school. I’ve always been the dutiful daughter. A perfect role model for Nate. Faith’s voice of reason whenever my best friend’s fiery temper flared.
I didn’t even realize I bit him back until I did it. And myGod, I didn’t want to let him go, but there I was, grasping at air. As quickly as he stormed over to me, he was gone. More than just a few steps away. An entire universe—and a wall of hostility—separated us. And while I’m here hiding in the bedroom this morning, nursing my damaged ego, Havoc is watching a movie in the living room.
Which is odd.
Havoc is usually mindful of being quiet when I’m sleeping. But this morning, the television is turned up—no doubt because he’s still in a huff over the kissheinitiated. He better have dropped the attitude. I don’t have the energy to deal with his bullshit.
I drag my tired self out of bed, intending to tell him precisely that…
…and get only three steps out of the bedroom when I freeze.
It’s not the television.
My stomach drops to my feet when I see the devil himself seated at the table across from Havoc. Okay, that might be a bit dramatic, but no one can tell me Discord Taylor isn’t, at the very least, a demon. Especially when he slides his hot, lazy gaze over me, making me painfully aware I’m standing in the doorway wearing nothing but a T-shirt.
If I were the cowering sort, I’d haul ass right back in the bedroom. But I’m not, so I don’t. Instead, I notch my chin and match Discord’s stare.
“Good morning.” I try not to race across the room to the bathroom, but it’s an effort to keep a slow and steady pace.
Havoc, still grumpy from yesterday, says nothing.
Discord, however, is chatty. As always. “How can it not be a good morning when you’re around?” Then to Havoc, “Country life agrees with her.”
“Don’t be an asshole.”
“What?” Discord demands with mock innocence. “I’m giving Kerri a compliment.” His appraisal of me could melt a polar ice cap. Seriously. He may be two years younger than me, but he has an old, seasoned soul—and a devious streak that makes him scarier than the entire Unholy combined.
Doesn’t help that Discord’s job title is terrifying.
Havoc may be an enforcer. A hammer, as he likes to call himself, but Discord is who they bring in when they need a scalpel.
As an assassin, he’s the silent horror no one sees coming.
“Keep your fuckingcomplimentsto your damn self,” Havoc sneers, spitting out the word like poison.
