Page 28 of Ruined By a Devil

“Mal, I know,” Cain says, gripping his arm. “But not here.”

“He threw her into the fucking pool.”

“He's not worth it,” Ezekiel steps between Malachi and Nolan, his hand firm on his brother’s shoulder. “Come on.”

Malachi's eyes remain locked on Nolan despite the best effort of his brothers to calm him down. And for a moment, I honestly think he's going to break free and finish off what he started. Not that Nolan doesn’t deserve it, but I would hate to see Malachi get his hands dirty with him like this.

Nolan wipes blood from the corner of his mouth, without taking his eyes off of me. I hate the satisfaction that courses through me when he sees Malachi standing between us and the way he’s making me feel safe.

When Malachi finally looks back at me, his expression softens just enough for me to notice. Even though the rage doesn't disappear, I could swear that I saw genuine concern in his eyes.

“Okay,” he finally says to his brothers. “I won’t kill him. Not tonight at least, you can let go of me.”

“Do you give me your word?” Ezekiel raises an eyebrow.

“I do,” Malachi nods, and Cain and Ezekiel release him.

He walks towards me the moment they set him free “Are you sure you're not hurt?”

“I’m sure,” I nod. Even if I were hurt, telling him that in this moment would only make things worse.

But thankfully, aside from my dress being soaked, my hair dripping down my back, and the fact that I'm shivering so badly my teeth almost chatter, I’m fine.

He reaches for me carefully this time, his hand settling against the back of my neck, as his eyes study me, probably trying to figure out if I’m telling the truth. “Let's go, let’s get out of here.”

I let him take my hand and lead me away from the pool without arguing. The other guests are also leaving in small groups, speaking in whispers as they go and the music never comes back on.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Jade

The car is warm, or at least it should be. I can feel the heat coming through the vents, but none of it seems to reach me in the back seat. Milo is behind the wheel and he constantly checks the rearview mirrors, making me wonder if he suspects that Nolan and his men might be following us. A shiver goes down my spine at the thought, making my freezing even worse.

Every drop of water dripping from the ends of my hair onto my shoulders feels like ice on my skin. I tuck my hands underneath my arms and curl into myself, trying to stop shaking.

I feel Malachi’s gaze on me as I’m trembling.

Of course he notices.

He's sitting in silence beside me in the back seat, his attention fixed on the road ahead, but his eyes keep flicking toward me.

“Here.” He takes off his jacket and before I can protest, he puts it over my shoulders.

The warmth of him is still trapped in the fabric and even though I would love to protest and refuse it, the cold is getting the best of me and I pull it tighter around myself, burying my hands inside the sleeves. It smells like him and I’m not sure how I feel about the fact that I’m able to recognize his smell this easily after just a few days living under the same roof, without even being a real couple.

“You're freezing,” His voice is low when he speaks.

“I noticed, but thanks for letting me know.”

“We should stop by the hospital. I think Mia’s working tonight’s shift, she could…”

“Who’s Mia?” I stop him, ignoring the tiny, barely noticeable pink of jealousy growing in my chest.

“Riley’s friend,” he explains briefly. “She used to work at Eden.”

“I see, but I'm fine. Really.”

“You can’t be fine after being thrown into a pool, Jade.” His voice is calm.