The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(53)

The way he said please frightened me more than Marius’s threats. My heart skipped a beat then started to race. Although I knew Disco was aware of my panic, I tried to remain calm. Whatever was coming would be far worse than anything I’d ever faced, but I would face it. I wasn’t a coward.

“I won’t.” The smile I gave him was very real, a fuzzy warmth settling over me. “I thought I could erase you from my mind and move on with my life, but look at us now.”

He didn’t return my smile, remaining grave. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Even if that means making difficult choices.”


I wanted to ask what he meant, but Disco ended the conversation by lifting me into his arms. He strode toward the bathroom, holding me tight. I knew the routine: make love, shower, and return to our lives as usual. But this time I knew things were different.

Something horrible was coming, something neither of us could prevent. When everything was said and done, only one person would stand victorious. Since my opponent was a half-demon, I’d come out the loser. No sense in sugar coating things to make them easier to swallow. However, there was a light at the end of the tunnel powerful enough to help me face what was to come.

I took solace in knowing that, at the very least, I could protect those I loved.





Chapter Thirteen


Paine was aware of what had transpired between me and Disco the moment we entered his bedroom. His gaze darted back and forth between us, jealousy and hurt flashing across his face. The emotions vanished in an instant, becoming a blank mask he used to keep others at a distance. I felt bad knowing rekindling my relationship with Disco hurt Paine, but we didn’t have time to discuss that elephant in the room. We had other, more pressing things to worry about.

I walked past Paine and took a seat in the chair beside his bed, waiting to hear what he and Disco had planned. Disco didn’t follow me, but rather stood in the center of the room. There was apprehension in the air, hovering all around us.

“You’re not going to like what I have to say,” Disco said, looking at me.

“You’re right. I hate it when you say that.” My attempt at humor was met with a stern look. I took a deep breath for balance and said, “I’m listening.”

“Revenald intends to take the family to an estate he owns outside the city.” Disco’s golden-blue irises darkened, and I could sense his outrage. “It’s a palace of torture, where sex, humiliation, and death are completely normal.”

Torture and death. Fun for the whole family. Fabulous. “Why make the entire family travel to his home away from home? They didn’t do anything.”

“We don’t know,” Paine answered, glancing at Disco. “That’s the problem.”

“If he wants the family to attend, he has something planned. Something he knows I won’t allow. He’ll step on my toes just to prove he can. He’s that twisted.” Disco met Paine’s gaze. “The plan has changed. Get your things together as quickly as possible. I want you to leave within the hour. You have to take her somewhere they’ll never find her.”

Paine growled, his onyx eyes shining. “Have you lost your mind? Don’t be a fool.”

“Fools rush in,” Disco responded, unruffled, “and this is by no means a new conversation. I told you that if something happened to me, I wanted you to take care of her. I don’t trust anyone else.” He took a deep breath and said, “You gave me your word.”

“I don’t need anyone to take care of me.” I tried to place myself in the middle of the conversation—feeling guilty that each breath I took drowned those I loved. But Paine wouldn’t allow it, talking over me.

“It’s suicide. He’ll kill you.”

He’ll kill you.

My heart sank and my breath caught. I wanted to say something but words were lodged in my throat. Disco wanted me to run with Paine while he stayed behind. In the future Paine had said Disco wanted him to take care of me—to love me and see to my happiness in his absence—but I wasn’t sure how true that revelation had been.

Now I knew it wasn’t bullshit, not by a long shot.

“It doesn’t matter,” Disco replied, words soft.

I was ready to ask him what in the hell that meant. Of course it mattered. We’d finally found common ground, and he was going to throw it all away?

Paine beat me to the punch.


“Of course it matters!” Paine hissed, his lips drawing back to reveal a glimpse of fang. “You weren’t around to see how devastated she was after what you’d done, but I was. I watched her suffer day after day. She mourned you even though you were alive. Do you think she’ll survive your loss a second time? Do you have any idea of how much it will hurt her to know you’re dead because of her?”


“She’ll have you to care for her.” Disco rubbed his chest as he spoke, as though he could feel the impact of every word and it hurt to speak them. “You’ll have each other. I’ve always told you that I want the two people I care for most to be safe, no matter the cost.”

“She is sitting right here,” I reminded them. “Shouldn’t you ask me what I want?”

“Would you listen to yourself?” Paine yelled, so loud he drowned me out.