The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(56)

Disco moved around Goose and invaded my personal space, wrapping his arm around my waist to pull me close. Bending his head, he whispered against my ear, “It’s not too late to change your mind. Paine and Ethan still have time to get you out of New York.”


Not trusting my voice, I shook my head. I wouldn’t let Disco endanger himself for me. Pulling away from his embrace, I walked to the bed, tossed the shoes on the floor and put the bigger box on the mattress. I yanked the lid open and lifted the top out first, grimacing when I discovered it was a red leather corset outlined with black lace. Saying a silent prayer, I reached for the garment that would complete the outfit. To my relief it was pair of leather pants. Yes, the material would hug every curve, but at least my girly parts would be hidden.

“What’s with the all leather?” I tried to make a funny, but I wasn’t surprised when no one laughed.

“It distinguishes vampires from servants and servants from slaves,” Disco answered.

“Servants from slaves?” I croaked as my gag reflex kicked in. What did that mean?

He ignored my question and his ominous gaze hovered on my throat. “Leave your hair down.”

“What?” I looked at Disco, taken back by the order. He usually asked for the opposite, knowing with my hair up everyone would clearly see my mark.

“Vampires are drawn to the lines of the neck, especially when someone is fair skinned and veins are visible. I didn’t mind you showing that much skin when I could protect you.”

And he couldn’t protect me tonight.

Damn.

“I’ll wear it down.”

“What have we decided to do?” Goose asked, sounding nervous.

“Isn’t it obvious?” I asked sarcastically and threw the slutastic pants on the bed. “We’re going to a party.”

“Rhiannon,” Goose said, inching toward me, and I could just feel an apology coming. “I’m sorry. I wanted to warn you, but Marius wouldn’t let me.”

“Save it.” I refused to look in his direction. “This isn’t the time or place. We’ll have our talk later.”

I knew he thought taking the pendant was for my own good, but Goose’s decision put everyone at risk. I could have used the power it gave me if things took a downward turn. Now I was only a weak human who was capable of talking to ghosts and resurrecting the dead. Ass kicking was no longer on the menu.

The silence that followed seemed to go on forever.

“I’ll wait downstairs,” Goose finally said.

I didn’t look up until the door opened and closed. Disco had leaned against the wall, watching me with a brooding expression. Paine remained where he was, near me by the bed.

“Is Revenald going to make an example of him, too?” I asked. Even after what Goose had done, I didn’t want harm coming to him. Not because of me.

“Hopefully it’s nothing more than a warning.” Paine sighed. “Revenald needs to show Ethan what he can expect if he steps out of line.”

Having Ethan watch as I was put through the wringer made sense. Fear was a powerful tool.

“Paine,” I said softly and turned my head, gazing at him from beneath my lashes, “if something happens tonight, you can’t intervene. I need you to promise that you won’t.”

Paine suddenly looked like he wanted to kill someone. “No.”

“You can’t risk yourself for me,” I continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “I need to know that after tonight you’ll be safe.”


“Anton isn’t a mere half-demon, he’s a sadist. Do you hear me? He’s. A. Sadist.” Paine appeared in front of me using vampire speed, stopped, and grasped my arms so hard I winced. “If he’s coming here, it’s not to watch Revenald put you in your place, it’s to force him to. If Revenald backs down, he’ll lose face. Word will spread that he’s become weak. When that happens, other half-demons will start challenging his right to his territory. Half-demons thrive on misery and chaos. Put two of them together and...” Paine let me go, taking a step back, eyes haunted. “I don’t want to know what they’ve planned together. I don’t even want to think about it.”


“Then don’t think about it.” I was unbalanced by the fear in Paine’s gaze, experiencing a suffocating surge of terror, but I tried to keep my feelings under wraps. “Just promise me that you won’t interfere.”

“Ask all you want,” Paine replied dryly. “The answer will remain the same.”

“She’s made up her mind, and we both know she’s foolish, stubborn and hardheaded,” Disco said, pushing away from the wall and shoving in hands into his pockets. “Don’t waste your breath. She already made me give her my word. She won’t relent until you do the same.”

“Her tantrums might work with you, but they won’t with me. When she says jump, I don’t ask how high.”

Disco arched a brow. “If I didn’t know better I’d consider that an insult.”

“Call it what you want.” Paine nailed Disco with a seething glare.

“Whether you like it or not,” I said, trying to remain calm and keep the testosterone driven men on topic, “the three of us are in this together.”

“Correction,” Paine snapped, startling me with his vehemence, and stormed across the room. “The two of you are in this together.”