Ruin (Rhodes #1) - Rina Kent Page 0,66

to the room I occupied to get my clothes, I couldn’t help but slip it under my baggy pullover.

Despite having Aaron with me, I wanted out of that room as soon as possible. Being there triggered the rotten memories of that man.

After our first horse ride a week ago, Aaron was kind enough to move me to my current room. Although smaller than the other one, it’s similarly decorated with beige and brown patterns like a vintage hotel room I couldn’t afford. I stand beside the window, immediately lost in the foreshadowed forest in the distance. The thought of a person— or a family— owning such a large, seemingly endless property is mesmerising. Dad told me about his colleagues from old and new money, but this is beyond anything I’ve imagined.

I retrieve my sketchbook and charcoal pencil and allow my muse to shape the trees in the distance. The gloom adds a mystical, yet a shadowy hue to the shapes of trees.

It’s useless to fight whatever darkness my muse unleashes. Even the portraits I drew for Silver and Jet turned into phantom horses. I let my hands sketch whatever they like. Except for the faceless man who keeps demanding features. I have a few theories about the man’s identity, but I’m not admitting it— even to myself.

The door clicks open. I jolt up, but I’m quick enough to hide the sketchbook under the pillow and smile at Aaron. He’s in a dashing grey suit. Not the right outfit.

My smile drops. “Where are your horse riding clothes?” I open the wardrobe for my jacket.

His face remains impassive. “We’re not going today, kitten. It will rain.”

“Oh.” I don’t hide my disappointment. “I can ride in the rain.”

“That is out of the question. Pneumonia is a nasty disease to catch.”

“But...”

He shakes his head once, an unbending refusal in his eyes. No matter how much I protest, he won’t be swayed.

“Ugh!” I slam the wardrobe’s door shut, its loud crack reverberating in the room. “Way to take my favourite pleasure!”

He flashes me his diabolical almost-smile. I clench my fists, sucking a deep breath, barely resisting the urge to punch him in the face.

“You can come with me.” He walks out, leaving me no choice but to follow him.

Actually, I have the choice to slam the door after him. But me being me, I walk by his side. “Where to?”

He doesn’t answer— as expected. He continues striding the length of the dimly lit hallway. It’s sombre outside. Coupled with the thunder and Aaron’s vampire-like nature, it’s like I’m thrown into a gothic tale.

Since I’m allowed out of the room when we go horse-riding, the long lifeless hallway is more familiar. The doors are always closed. I peek at where I remember Aaron’s room to be. I should’ve snooped around while I had the chance. Beside the fact that he likes grim decor, owns Jet and King, I know little to nothing about this man. Well, there’s also his obvious noble lineage and the serial killer side hobby.

Dammit. I often forget the killer part. No, not forget. It’s more of a disregard. I chose to neglect the killer side because he murdered an evil man.

Still. Does that give him the liberty to kill? Do I have the right to find him excuses? Or am I finding those excuses for myself? For enjoying his company more than I’m supposed to?

The click of a door pulls me out of my turbulent thoughts. Aaron strolls through a usually closed door. I don’t think twice before following him inside.

The room is vast enough to host a party, but not large compared to the majestic hall downstairs. The imposing wooden table, the black leather chairs and sofa, and the rows and rows of books don’t suggest this hosts parties in the first place. It’s an office. At least three times the size of my dad’s.

Aaron stands by one of the dark wooden shelves. The yellow light of the room casts a soft shadow over his features, humanising him a bit. “Pick some books.”

Is he doing this because I said I was bored?

No, no, no. Don’t go there, Mae. He’s not being kind. He must have a hidden agenda.

“Unless you dislike reading?” He arches an eyebrow. Goddammit. He has to stop doing that. It tingles my chest every single time.

Clearing my throat, I take quick steps