Ruin (Rhodes #1) - Rina Kent Page 0,8
the deeper I crave to act on my uncontainable desires.
My skin turns to a pale blue shade. I take the sign to step out of the icy stream, and into the centre of my quarters. This Western Wing was Uncle Alexander’s. Once in time, it was greenish, with floral scents oozing from the main bedroom, adjoining rooms, reception hall, and even the office. There used to be a large happy family picture above the bed, and a dozen others throughout the place.
They sickened me.
I ripped them all down and turned the whole place black.
My phone vibrates. I answer while drying my hair with a towel. “What is it, Kane?”
“Two journalists are here for you, Sir.”
The damn pests won’t leave me alone.
I throw the towel on the bed. “I have no appointments this evening. Let alone with journalists. Turn them down.”
There is a crunch at the other side the line. Another crackle. Kane saying something unintelligible. Then a feminine yell. Straight into my ears. “Lord Rhodes, please! We won’t ask many questions! We only want—”
Another crunch. Kane barking orders, then silence.
“Did you kill her?” I ask.
“No, Sir.” He pauses. “Do you want me to?”
They’re the ones who came to my house. I ought to give them a special interview and satiate my blood lust in between.
No. Innocents are off the hook. I can at least be that civil.
“Send them away, and don’t contact me about journalists again.”
“Yes, Sir.”
This is the second time in three days. The attention my last name and title attracts is infuriating.
The monitor in my bedroom lights up, flashing my cousin’s name.
Here comes my babysitter.
I put on some shorts, sit on the leather sofa, and answer with my most charming smile. His face, with a few days worth of stubble, greets me through the screen.
“It’s been a while, Tristan.”
“I call whenever I have time.” He points at me. “You are the one who doesn’t pick up. Are you ignoring me?”
“I am not.”— I am— “I don’t keep the phone on me when I’m occupied with business.”
His lips tighten, then he sighs, brushing it off. He used to be the best at reading my deception. Perhaps I outgrew him after all.
‘Which means we can get what we want.’
Quiet, demons. I’m trying to have a civilised conversation here.
Tristan leans back into his chair. “How are things in the estate?”
He left some of his personal guards behind, to send detailed reports, and yet he thinks of misleading me. I may not care, but I observe and record every little thing in my surroundings.
“Same old. But I’m sure Dylan filled you in. He has been my keeper since you went to Japan.”
The blackness in Tristan’s eyes, almost identical to mine, softens. “He’s the only one we can call a family friend.”
“Dylan may be your friend, but he isn’t mine. He’s only a pain in the arse.”
“You’re the only pain in the arse between the three of us.”
“Then maybe the two of you should stop acting like my parents.”
“We will, when you stop jeopardising what we worked years to accomplish.” He raised his eyebrows in a challenge. One I wouldn’t take. This exchange isn’t worth it. “Anything else happened?”
I take a sip of water from the bottle in front of me. “Some bothersome journalists who refuse to leave me in peace.”
“They’re curious about us. We own one of the most powerful conglomerates not only in England but also in the world. Not to mention our titles. Naturally, they will not stop until we give them something. We agreed that you will allow them an interview.”
“I didn’t agree. You ordered.” My left eye twitches. “The type of orders that I don’t listen to.”
“Aaron.” His voice takes its stern father tone. “An interview won’t hurt. We need to maintain the family’s image.”
“You do it. You’re the duke after all, Your Grace.”
“Fine. But you will be there with me.”
“No, and that’s final.” I place my hands behind my head and relax further into the leather of the sofa.
He grits his teeth. “You’re infuriating most of the time, do you know that?”
I grin in response. Irritating Tristan is one of my favourite hobbies. Like a payback of some sort.
“We’ll discuss the interview some other time, for now...” He cuts off when his gaze travels