The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(21)

“You haven’t even tried.”

“I can’t make myself feel something I don’t.”

“You might be surprised how you’d feel if you’d give yourself to me. I’d make it special, Gabriel. Something you’d enjoy. You’d never regret spending a night in my bed.”

“I love her.” Disco maintained eye contact as he said it. “And you know I’m not interested in men. Even if I were, I wouldn’t go there. I’ve found the one person I need. I don’t want anyone else.”

“She doesn’t deserve your adoration.” There was hostility in Marius’s statement, as well as anguish. “You’re being a fool.”

“Perhaps, but it’s my decision. She’s mine. I’m not letting her go.”

Marius released Disco, and I moved from the pillar, afraid of being seen. This was something I didn’t want know about. Disco wasn’t bisexual. Judging by his reaction to Marius’s touch, the notion made him as uncomfortable as it made me.

I spun around, oblivious to my surroundings, and bumped directly into Paine. He wrapped an arm around my elbow and lifted a finger to his lips. I nodded, trying to move away from the office.

We walked from the area under the stairs, down the hallway, and to the door that led to an enormous garden at the back of the property. Paine waited until I was outside and closed it behind us. It wasn’t until I gasped that I realized I had been holding my breath, waiting until I was at a safe distance from Disco and Marius to breathe.

“Now you know,” Paine said. “Gabriel was aware you’d have to learn the truth sooner or later. Considering what transpired in front of the family, he’s relieved it was sooner.”

“He knows I was there?” I turned to face Paine, horrified. “He knows I heard everything? He knows I saw everything?”

His lips curved at the corners. “He knew you were there entire time. He was the one who sent me to get you.”

“I suppose telepathy goes a long way when you have a house to run.”

Paine stepped toward me, until we were chest to chest. He placed his hands on my arms, rubbing his thumbs lightly against my sweater. “Or when you want to protect someone you love.”

“Like Marius loves Disco?”

His thumbs went still. “Marius has always wanted more out of his relationship with Gabriel. That’s why he changed him. It’s not uncommon for sexual desires to shift when you become a vampire. Heterosexual men and women often find they are attracted to the same sex shortly after their conversion.”

“But not all of them?”

“No.” Paine resumed making lazy strokes against my arm. “Not all of us.”

“Disco said he was a close friend of the family. Was that a lie?”

“No, it wasn’t a lie. Marius was close with Gabriel’s family. It wasn’t until Gabriel reached maturity that Marius’s feelings started to change.”

“Did he come on to him then? When Disco was human?”

Paine dropped his hands, and I knew he wasn’t comfortable with the situation either. “Once.”

“Care to elaborate?” I folded my arms over my chest, attempting to mask the tremor that speared through me.

“I don’t know the details, aside from Gabriel said no and Marius left that same night. We didn’t see him again until Cold Harbor.”


“When he changed you?” He nodded and I asked, “What happened after that?”


“More sexual tension in a house than you can imagine. It’s the reason Marius left. He tried to influence Gabriel to explore his sexuality, but it didn’t work. When Marius realized Gabriel wouldn’t, he couldn’t take it anymore. It was easier to pass power to Gabriel and leave than to stay and yearn for something out of his reach.”

Fuck a duck. The person who could break me in half was in love with my former flame. No wonder he wanted me dead. Jealousy was a powerful motivator.

Paine moved into my personal space, wrapped his arms around me, and whispered, “Don’t fight me, Rhiannon. Marius is watching.”

Then he kissed me.

It was a good thing he warned me. Otherwise, I would have fought him.

At least, I think I would have.

Paine’s lips were plush and cool, feathering over mine, just before he opened his mouth and his tongued snaked out. I wasn’t sure how to respond. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to have the same problem. His tongue teased mine, inviting me to play. I followed his lead, kissing him back. The closeness between us brought back memories I wanted to forget, of a different time and place.

He pulled away, and the heat in his gaze made my toes curl. “I’d almost forgotten,” he murmured, licking his lower lip.

“Forgotten?” I asked breathlessly.

“What a woman tastes like.”

More memories arose. He’d said something similar in the future, something that swept aside my reservations. It was impossible not to ache for him—to love him—when I remembered how alone he truly was. That was the reason I didn’t move away from him, why I lifted my hands and placed one on his chest and the other against his face. He closed his eyes and exhaled in bliss, making me feel even worse.

“This isn’t fair to you.”

“Life isn’t fair.” He opened his eyes and looked at me. “We take what we’re given because there isn’t any alternative. Small moments like these can last an eternity.”