Page 23 of The Forbidden Villain
For in his presence, all my dark thoughts awaken, and I hate him for it.
“Did I hurt you right now, Lavender?”
The burning sensations just intensify from this, and the bookshelf rattles once again as I take a step back when he moves forward, the muscles of his chest brushing against the book. I grip it so tight, my knuckles start to hurt. “Would you prefer for me to call it an assault?”
A sinister smile curves his mouth, and a chuckle slips past his throat while his thumb traces over my pulse once againbefore he grips my chin, tipping my head up. “We can play this game of endless questions for eternity,moy cvetochek. You’ll still lose.” He leans closer, our mouths inches apart, his touch sending electric waves over my nerve endings despite my mind yelling at me to kick him so I could escape him. What the hell am I even doing? “But I’ll be generous today and answer your question. Never.” I swallow when his thumb brushes over my lips as his voice turns deadly, replacing the earlier heat with coldness. “My thirst for revenge would never be sustained. I do not forgive those who hurt what belongs to me.”
Fury boils my blood at this threat because how can anyone understand it differently, and it finally snaps me from whatever cursed spell he has placed on me, akin to freezing water poured on me. Without a single thought, I kick him hard in the knee, and the fucker laughs. He laughs but steps away, finally letting me escape.
And I hate him for it as well. Everything he does or says points to the fact that he’s the one controlling the situation, and I’ve had enough of this.
I’m still gathering the pieces of myself after what he did at the engagement party. I won’t subject myself to his abuse due to his high possessive nature. “Stay away from me, Levi.”
“Or what, Lavender? You’ll be forced to stop acting perfect and give free rein to your rage?”
The words hit me right in my vulnerable spot, making me want to lash out at him more. I don’t get the chance because something crashes in the distance, followed by a female yelp, and I dart toward the sound.
My eyes widen at the sight of Aurelia sitting on the floor and rubbing her hip while a huge pile of books surrounds her. “Are you all right?” I kneel next to her, and she nods, her hands still trembling. “What happened?”
“I fell.”
Which is not surprising since that wooden ladder is wobbly as hell. “Can you stand?”
“Yes.” I help her get up, and she winces, still rubbing her hip. “The books,” she whispers as pain flashes on her face.
I grab them and put them on a nearby table one by one. “Did you carry them while climbing up that ladder?” There are around ten thick books, and at her nod, the anger caused by Levi grows to epic proportions, finally finding an outlet. I glare at Wyatt, who lounges lazily on the chair by the table, staring at us. “I hope you’re proud of yourself.”
“I asked for books. I didn’t force her to carry them all, so you’re barking up the wrong tree, darling.”
“That might come as news to you, Wyatt, but acting like an entitled brat doesn’t suit anyone. Least of all a man.”
“Ah, shots have been fired. I don’t really care. You can’t be liked by everyone. I’ll take my chances.” He gets up and waves his hand. “Either way, I changed my mind. I wasted too much time on this. It’s easier to order them online.” He looks at Aurelia again, and once freaking again, this girl casts her gaze down where her body shivers in fear. “You need to do a better job next time.” He shifts his attention to me and blows me a kiss, and I barely resist the urge to punch him. “See you soon, darling.”
Aurelia lets go of my hand, and I mutter, “What is his problem anyway?” Wyatt is a perfect gentleman. I expected him to gather Aurelia in his arms and help her out himself before offering to take her home or to the nurse to check out her injuries.
Scratch that, he’d be the one climbing up that ladder in the first place so that the fall wouldn’t have even happened.
He and Aurelia must share a past, which doesn’t excuse his behavior. Still, there must be some explanation for this bullshit.
“I need to go to the bathroom. Could you please wait here in case anyone needs something?”
“Of course. Do you want me to go with you?” I glance around, and everyone is buried deep in their books, so it doesn’t look like anyone might ask for help in the near future. “Maybe we need to take you to the nurse?”
“No!” she almost shouts, covering her mouth with her hand and shaking her head. “No, it’s fine. I just need a minute. Please stay here.” She limps to the bathroom, and I sigh in resignation.
Some souls are too pure for this world.
At this point, familiar heat hits me from the back, and I turn around to face Levi once more, who perches on the table with the books. “Wyatt has to stop harassing Aurelia.” If her earlier reaction is any indication, it’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last.
And while I decided not to talk to Levi in the foreseeable future, or at least not before my next session with Dr. King to figure out my mixed emotions toward this guy, I have to do something to protect this girl.
Pure souls are easy to crush, and I would hate for hers to be tarnished.
Mine crashed and burned a long time ago. Aurelia still hopes to save hers.
Something flashes in his gaze as if he despises me for mentioning his friend’s name, but that would be ridiculous, right? “That’s not going to happen.”
“Why not?”
