Ruin (Rhodes #1) by Rina Kent

                             My mouth hangs open, but I seal it shut before I make a bigger fool of myself.

                             He really is The Devil.

                             I need to stop showing him weakness or he will break me into pieces in no time.

                             But how to do that? Holding my tongue is a tough mission. It’s as hard as witnessing a flying dog.

                             Silence falls between us again. Thick and deep, cloaking the space in a smothering veil. Words form in my mouth, magnifying by each second, wanting to pry my lips open.

                             His signature gentleman’s voice breaks the tension. “You obviously dislike me.” He tilts his head to the side. “Why did you hug me?”

                             Heat courses through my veins. Silence seems the better option now. “I took you for someone else.”

                             He smirks. “You’re a terrible liar, little mouse.”

                             Damn it.

                             “I’m not lying! I really thought you were my father.”

                             “Lying is a stupid thing to do when you are too readable.” The smirk is still plastered on his otherwise smooth expression.

                             I glare at him. “If I’m too readable, then why are you asking me? Answer your damn question on your own.”

                             His smirk is gone replaced by a dark shadow. I swallow, cursing my loud mouth as he walks to my side with slow measured strides.

                             He leans close, his breath tickling my cheek. “Is a day in darkness so short? Do you wish to extend the period?”

                             Was it only one day? It felt like freaking eternity.

                             A longer period will kill me for sure. That is if he doesn’t do it physically.

                             “I-I’m sorry.” My arms wrap around myself. I’m a coward, I admit it. But cowardice is better than being thrust into that nightmare.

                             He removes his hand from his trousers. My gaze follows a shiny silver-coloured ring on his index finger as if charmed. There’s a black crest-like design carved on top of it in a shape of two black panthers. The unique symbol is both beautiful and terrifying— like the one wearing it. Was it there the entire time?

                             “What is it?” Aaron asks in a relaxed tone. It’s then I notice that he’s holding a phone to his ear.

                             Chance!

                             I open my mouth to shout for help. I meet his stare and clamp my lips shut.

                             He listens to whoever is on the other line, piercing me with a dark glint and an arched brow.

                             He wants me to do this, which means that it won’t end well for me.

                             I dig my nails into the mattress.

                             His lips move into a sardonic smile. Something tells me it’s not because of the phone call.