Lord of Destiny (The Dragon Demigods #6) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,20

with his hand. “Sorry,” he says, his voice soft. His gaze beseeching. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just…” He pushes out another breath but doesn’t finish the sentence. “I’m sorry…that’s all!”

I see how Stephan is looking at us. I don’t blame him. I go back to being mortified. What he must think. “Don’t worry about it,” I mutter. “I know you didn’t mean it like that. I know you mean well. That you want me…comfortable. I swear I’ll be just fine downstairs. You take the big balcony room.”

Stephan looks away. “There’s a full gym above my garage.” He changes the subject, probably feeling awkward. “There are stairs at the back that lead to the entrance.” I think he’s also trying to defuse the tension. He’s a nice guy, for sure.

“Great!” Barrett growls. “I’m hoping there’s a delay with that car part. I wouldn’t mind hanging out here for a couple of weeks.”

“We need to get back on the road, and we can’t get used to this kind of luxury,” my brother says.

“And I’m sure Stephan doesn’t want to host our sorry asses for longer than necessary,” I say.

“Shouldn’t be more than a couple of days,” Stephan pushes his hands into his pockets, “but you’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”

“Thanks,” my brother says. “We appreciate your help. Your brother’s, too.”

Stephan nods. We walk back down the hall. Maddox grabs my arm as we reach the double doors to his room. “We’ll be down in a minute,” he says to Barrett and Stephan.

Stephan narrows his eyes for half a second and then nods. Barrett doesn’t even turn back. He starts down the stairs. “I’m keen to see that gym.” He’s already halfway down.

We watch Stephan go too. “I’ll show you.” He heads down as well.

Maddox walks into his room. It really is spectacular. “I’m hoping you’re not going to try to convince me to stay here,” I say. It’s become a principle. Just like earlier with West. I need to make my own decisions and stand on my own two feet. Some things are deeply ingrained in all of us. I see it at times like this.

“I need to warn you, Raven,” Maddox speaks under his breath. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

I fold my arms. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Oh, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Stephan sleeps downstairs, and now you do too.”

I frown. “What does that have to do with anything?” I say a little too quickly. “Okay…I know where you’re going with this, but you’re wrong.” I shake my head.

“The two of you are clearly attracted to each other. I can see it. West could see it. That’s why he’s acting like a crazy person.”

“Back to being a grown woman, capable of making my own decisions. I don’t want, or need, the two of you trying to run my life.”

“It’s not about running your life. Fucking around with Stephan would be a bad decision.” He keeps his eyes on mine. “I would be a terrible brother if I didn’t say something.”

“Why would it be a bad decision?” I hadn’t planned on letting anything happen between Stephan and me. Although he’s attracted to me, I don’t think he would want to go there. It must be clear by now what a mess my life is. How complicated my life is right now. Nothing is going to happen between us. Also, I’m reminded of my vision. The one Maddox doesn’t know I had. Visions are not exactly good aphrodisiacs. Having one would be like a cold bucket of water to my face.

Not happening!

Just no!

Thing is though, it would need to be my choice. Not because Maddox or West warned me off.

My brother shakes his head. His eyes are wide. “Why would it be a bad decision?” he repeats my question, looking all kinds of upset. “You didn’t just ask me that! We don’t know these guys, Raven.”

“They’re helping us. They’re—”

“We know nothing about them. They could have an ulterior motive. I don’t fully trust them.” He lifts his eyes in thought. “That, and West would go postal. He’s not…stable. He lost the two people closest to him.”

“Losing me was his own damn fault. I don’t know why I keep having to repeat myself on that one. Also, I can’t keep living my life for West…or you, for that matter. I need to live for me. I need to make my own decisions. I need to be me…my own person. Please try to