Ruin (The Rhodes 1)

I was never good with silence.

“What?” I whisper.

He says nothing, focusing on my face as if observing a painting. I stare back this time. I won’t recoil. If those black eyes can hypnotise me, then so be it.

I’m screwed as it is.

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” I ask after a while, voice a little louder.

Again, not a word. Not even a twitch of his finger.

“Is this a pattern now?” I throw my hands in the air. “I ask and you don’t reply?”

His unbreakable silence sends fury boiling down my spine. The prick. How dare he ignore me after what he did to me?

“Hey! Why do you refuse to talk to me?”

“Because it’s fun,” he says, face static.

“Huh?”

“You’re too talkative.”

I narrow my eyes. “And that’s fun because...?”

He reverts back into a mute. I sink my nails into my palm in an attempt to stop the building rage from sweeping me south.

Freaking bastard. He finds pleasure in tormenting me.

“That.” He points at my face. “You’re expressive to a fault. Apparently, the lack of conversation makes you nervous and that soon transforms into anger.” He pauses, his lips curving in a cunning smile. “Interesting.”

My mouth hangs open, but I seal it shut before I make a bigger fool of myself.

He really is The Devil.

I need to stop showing him weakness or he will break me into pieces in no time.

But how to do that? Holding my tongue is a tough mission. It’s as hard as witnessing a flying dog.

Silence falls between us again. Thick and deep, cloaking the space in a smothering veil. Words form in my mouth, magnifying by each second, wanting to pry my lips open.

His signature gentleman’s voice breaks the tension. “You obviously dislike me.” He tilts his head to the side. “Why did you hug me?”

Heat courses through my veins. Silence seems the better option now. “I took you for someone else.”

He smirks. “You’re a terrible liar, little mouse.”

Damn it.

“I’m not lying! I really thought you were my father.”

“Lying is a stupid thing to do when you are too readable.” The smirk is still plastered on his otherwise smooth expression.

I glare at him. “If I’m too readable, then why are you asking me? Answer your damn question on your own.”

His smirk is gone replaced by a dark shadow. I swallow, cursing my loud mouth as he walks to my side with slow measured strides.

He leans close, his breath tickling my cheek. “Is a day in darkness so short? Do you wish to extend the period?”