Page 69 of Ravaged Devotion

“Yes,” Rue said. “Cut it out.”

“Yes?” The smirk he flashed next wasn’t very kind. “Should I put you over the table and show them how you moan for me when—”

Admittedly, he’d seen the punch coming.

But foresight didn’t mean he was any less pissed off when Bowie’s fist connected with his jaw.

The momentum forced him to release Rue, and he stumbled back, practically falling into Ishleen, whose arms came up around his middle. She helped to steady him, but didn’t let go even once he was stable, keeping her hands on his waist.

Ryker allowed it.

The jealous expression that Rue set their way was worth briefly tolerating another’s touch.

Rue planted a palm against Bowie’s chest, eyes on Ishleen’s fingers splaying over Ryker’s hips.

The corner of his mouth hurt, and when Ryker darted out his tongue to assess the damage, he tasted copper.

“Creature bait could come in handy,” Uriel surmised, staring Bowie down.

“Don’t you dare,” Rue snapped. “No one touches him.”

“But it’s fine for him to touch Ryker?” Ellery’s good mood had soured. Interesting, considering he’d always found infighting hilarious.

Ryker had already figured out that Bowie was sporting a crush toward Rue, but now that he’d confirmed it, he was feeling less inspired to protect the bastard from whatever was out there hunting them.

Unfortunately, that sort of mindset wasn’t going to fly with Rue, and they’d made a deal, so…

He sighed. “Ishleen, could you help me clean this cut? He got me pretty good.”

“Of course!” She started to pull him away from the table. “I left the first aid kit in the foyer after I redressed Esti’s leg. Come with me.”

“Stop,” Rue lost his cool after they’d only made it a couple of steps.

Ryker paused and pretended to consider, then turned to glance at him over his shoulder. “She’s got this. You worry about keeping your friend safe from mine. Seems to be your top priority.”

“They won’t mess with him if you tell them not to.”

It was cute that he thought the Black Harts followed Ryker’s orders. They didn’t. They were deferring to him for now because it was in everyone’s best interests, but the unspoken hierarchy between them went that way for a reason.

So neither Ryker or Illya could get too angry if one of the others chose to ignore their commands.

But now wasn’t the time to correct Rue’s assumptions, and Ellery and Uriel kept their mouths shut on the matter as well.

“You promised you’d protect them,” Rue reminded.

“Did you go to him for help?” Bowie sounded wounded. “Don’t bother. We can take care of ourselves.”

“Sure you can.” Ellery snorted.

“He says he’s fine.” Ryker shrugged and went to leave with Ishleen.

Rue stormed forward, then passed them, blocking their path.

In retaliation, Ishleen slipped one of her hands into Ryker’s.

“Going to do something, little brother?” Ryker challenged. This thing between them was still unsteady. He knew they were inevitable, that he had no plans of ever letting the other man leave him, but Rue was as of yet still in the dark about the extent of Ryker’s obsession.

Of his fury.