Ruin (Rhodes #1) by Rina Kent

                             Aaron throws a glance his way. “You don’t know Celeste as much as I do.”

                             Just who the hell is this Celeste that someone like Aaron gives her such importance?

                             Aaron cocks his head to a large double door. “Now, leave.” The men in black exit the hall in monotonic ordered military style. He turns to Tristan and Dylan. “Which part of leave do you not understand?”

                             Dylan settles on a chair and crosses his legs at the ankles. “How did Hampton got the password to your quarters?”

                             Tristan sits next to Dylan and says, “There has been a hack in the system.”

                             Although Aaron’s features remain expressionless, there’s a cloud that cloaks his features when he mutters, “Celeste must’ve helped him. A way to get back at me since I refused to be her partner again.”

                             Shivering takes hold of me. No idea whether it’s because of the cold or what I’ve witnessed. My attention drifts away from the conversation, concentrating on my shivering.

                             What’s my fault in all this? Why does this have to happen to me?

                             I’m acutely aware of the door clicking open then close, but I don’t lift my head until a soft material is thrown on my chest.

                             “Unless you wish for pneumonia, dry yourself.” Aaron’s expression is neutral, there’s nothing of the rage he unleashed on the men not so long ago. He fetches the remote from my icy fingers, and shuts the security feed off. “This is the last time I will forgive snooping into my affairs.”

                             Fire replaces my coldness, and I jump to my feet. I stomp to Aaron and point a tense finger at his chest. “It’s all because of you! You’re the reason I’m in this...this...” I point to myself, heat flooding my cheeks, “Mess! If I didn’t meet you, if you didn’t stalk me, I wouldn’t have that atrocious fantasy. If you didn’t take me, none of this would’ve happened. If...” my voice croaks and a loud sob escapes my lips, “If ...” Words scratch in my throat, yearning to get out. My mouth opens, but only sobs erupt through.

                             A firm hand encircles my back. His palm warm against my bare skin.

                             My body tingles, but my mind orders me to shove him away. I plant both my hands on his hard chest to obey my mind. Yet, my fingers curl in the soft material of his shirt, clutching it so tight, my fingertips sting.

                             “I am sorry, Mae.” Aaron’s soft voice comes like a little breeze, its unusual sleekness soothes the chaos.

                             I will never forgive him.

                             My mind knows that I won’t. Yet, my body, my stupid traitorous body, snuggles into his embrace, refusing to let go.

                             I’m officially going mad.





                             Chapter Seventeen

                             Aaron



                             Twenty-one years ago,

                             “Do you want to tell me anything, Aaron?”

                             I shake my head at Uncle Alexander and tug on the reins of my mare. It snorts, hoofing in the grass, refusing to keep up with Uncle’s horse. I pull harder, willing to strangle the idiotic thing. How dare it disobey me? I’ll have it killed.