Page 115 of Ravaged Devotion

Rhys regained his footing, caught Ryker’s eye, and without pausing, turned and shut the door in Vance’s face.

“Rhys! Rhys, you bastard!” Vance pounded on the wood and fought to pull it back open, but Rhys was stronger and held it firmly closed. “You—”

Screams came from the other side of the door, not lasting very long.

As soon as the wet sounds of flesh being chewed could be heard, Rhys bolted away, grabbing onto one of the benches and pulling it forward to block the lounge. Then he straightened and set his hands on his hips, seemingly composing himself, before finally turning to face them.

“Get your mother,” he said to Rue. “We are leaving.”

Chapter 24:

“She’s dead.” Rue watched him for any signs that he already knew and was playing them, but the eldest member of the Hart family never gave anything away that he didn’t want to.

Rhys’ lips pursed and his brow furrowed ever so slightly, but then any hint of remorse was gone in a flash, the determination back full force. “That’s a pity. She will be missed. Grab the keys to the bus. The fog is lifting and hopefully the smell of fresh meat will keep those things distracted while we make a run for it.”

“He was your friend,” Rue reminded, none of them moving to follow the orders. They didn’t bother explaining the keys were lost when Darae had gotten eaten either.

Rhys made an exasperated sound. “In situations like this, it’s every man for himself. You were always too soft. I thought perhaps I could teach you after our families joined, but with your mother gone, there’s no longer any need.”

Rue bristled.

“Drop the act,” Ryker stated. “We know you’re the one behind this nightmare.”

Rhys frowned at his son. “What nonsense are you uttering now? Did you not hear me? We need to leave, now. I spent the past two and a half days trapped in a cabin with no food and only a single bottle of water. If the fog hadn’t cleared up, I’d still be there. I refuse to waste this opportunity while the weather is finally in our favor. Anything else can be discussed once we’re safely off this gods’ forsaken mountain.”

It didn’t seem like he was faking it…

Ryker seemed to think so too, because some of his confidence wavered.

“Someone paid to have those monsters made,” Bowie said, joining the conversation when he picked up on their sudden uncertainty. “We all know you’re the one with the most money to burn.”

“Don’t be absurd,” Rhys clicked his tongue. “What possible reason could I have for putting my own flesh and blood in danger?” He waved at Ryker. “Not to mention the fact that all of my friends, people I’ve known longer than you’ve been alive, are now gone as well.”

“We never mentioned the others are dead,” Bowie replied, but it wasn’t a very strong stance.

“You three are the only ones here,” Rhys observed, “and there’s the body of a creature in the dining hall. I can see it down the hall. It doesn’t take a genius to assume one of those things broke in and killed everyone else. Rue still being alive makes sense, my son always had a bleeding heart where he was concerned, but you…I’ll admit I’m impressed, Mr. Easton.”

Rue hadn’t been aware that Rhys knew Bowie’s last name. Or even his first name, for that matter.

“Enough of this tantrum,” Rhys continued. “Ryker, get the keys.”

“No. Not until you tell me why you did this.” Even though he clearly had doubts now, Ryker was insistent and stood his ground.

“Rue,” Rhys addressed him, but his eyes were on his son, “since your brother is set on being difficult, grab the keys to the bus and help me get him outside.”

“He isn’t my brother,” Ryker stated.

“Just because his mother is dead doesn’t mean he isn’t still your stepbrother. What, did you hope I would toss him aside and have him removed from the family records so that you could fuck him guilt free?”

Rue flinched, but Ryker glared.

His fingers flexed around the handle of the gun he was still holding.

Rhys didn’t seem to notice.

“I hope you enjoyed whatever sick time you spent together these last few days, because as soon as we’re home, Rue is packing his bags and being sent off planet. I will not have the two of you fornicating under my roof, bringing dishonor to my name. Honestly, if one of those things had gotten him, it would have been for the better. It’s unfortunate that Eulalie is the one who didn’t make it.”

“You’re suggesting that Rue should have died?” Bowie’s mouth dropped open.