27. Rhys

Chapter 27

Rhys

" W hat the fuck was that?" Phoenix snarls from the bedroom doorway. His anger is clear to see as his eyes burn a hole into me.

I haven't moved from the spot on the bed where I fell when Arabella shoved me. Laughter bubbles up from me as I drop back onto the bed completely. I'm almost positive I've lost my mind.

That outfit she was wearing was just too tempting. I had to make a point to her how risky it was to wear. She tried to hide it, but I know for a fact her body reacted to mine being so close to her. I heard her breath hitch, and I felt the shiver go through her when I bit her neck. She wanted to cave and use me to give her pleasure, but she held back. I just can't decide if I'm pissed or not about her denying my offer. At that moment, I would have fucked her brains out if she had just asked. She may be my mortal enemy, but she is a damn good-looking angel that I could have some fun with before kicking her to the curb.

"Are you seriously ignoring me?" Phoenix shouts, moving closer and kicking my shin. "What the fuck is wrong with you? Why would you boss her around like that?"

"You're one to talk," I sigh, sitting up now that my fun has worn off. I didn't want my brother to see the confusion that was setting in within me over Arabella.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he snarls, crossing his arms in front of him. For the last half of the week, Phoenix has all but been ignoring Arabella. They make small talk here and there, but neither of them has sat down and talked about what I told him. I expected Phoenix to change his tune and do things to make it right with her, but he surprised me and didn't. I was ecstatic that he hadn't mended things because I was still determined to get Arabella out of this place.

"It means that you haven't spoken to her at all this week about the two of you being mates," I pause to get up off the bed and head toward the living room. Lying on Arabella's bed was making my head cloudy. I could smell her all around me, and it was making me hard. The last thing I wanted was for my brother to see the damn boner I was getting.

I really need to figure out what the hell is going on and get my body to listen to me. Staying away from Arabella is what I need to do. I shouldn't be lusting after her, despite what my body's reaction to her is. I'm half tempted to walk right out the front door and follow her. With the way she was dressed, there is only one place the girls would be heading to tonight, Phantom's Pub. They would be easy to find. The gentlemanly thing to do would be to follow them and make sure that no one bothers them.

"I don't want to rush her. When Arabella is ready to talk to me, she will. I already apologized to her for how I behaved that morning, and she accepted the apology. I'm not in any sort of rush to cement the bond between us. Only when she is ready," my brother answers from behind me as he follows me into the living room.

"That sounds like a cop-out," I chuckle. "Aren't you mates supposed to like be drawn to one another and be obsessed with being around the other?"

I wouldn't know the first thing about having a mate. I skipped the mating ceremony that most fallen angels attend when they come of age. I couldn't care less about finding one. I have my own goals to complete, and finding a mate would slow that process down. The second Lucifer took me under his wing, I knew I wanted to get revenge on the Angels for what they did to him and to all the fallen. It was my life goal to take them down and return the fallen to their rightful place. Lucifer tried to tell me to focus on other things in life, but I knew all that other shit could come later. Revenge was always a dish best-served cold.

"Yes, I do want to be around her, but it's not an all-consuming need, at least not right now," he answers. "With our bond still being new and us not having bound our souls completely together, it's hard to feel some things between us, especially when she has it locked down on her end."

"Well, that sounds like a problem," I answer nonchalantly. I really don't care much at all, but it was interesting to know that if something happened to her, he would know, which leaves me wondering what my next move should be. If he didn't know something was wrong while she was out and about tonight, then shouldn't someone be with her watching her? "Aren't you worried something will happen while she is out at Phantom's Pub?"

I may be pushing my concerns off on him, but I need to ensure Arabella stays in one piece so I can use her for my plans. That's the reason I tell myself, at least while I'm questioning him.

"She's a big girl, and town is safe enough for her," he retorts. "Stop being so worried about my mate. Arabella can take care of herself. You need to find a new hobby that doesn't include trying to make her life hell," he sighs, shaking his head, and turns to walk back down the hallway to the spare bedroom that he took over.

"Where are you going?" I shout behind him. Ever since Arabella came into our lives, he has been acting differently. Now, I understand why, but it's really starting to grate on my nerves. I used to be able to count on him to help me with my plans. He can't be trusted now to help me with some things. At least in classes, we are still presenting a united front, so the rest of the fallen haven't seen a divide between us. The fewer people who know about it, the better. Fallen operates on who has the most power. If anyone were to sense discord they could try to use that to their advantage and take me down. I won't allow that to happen, especially not over a damn angel.

"To my room to play a video game. You and your damn plotting is getting on my nerves, and I'm pissed at how you treated Arabella. When you're back to not being an asshole, let me know," he shouts back without bothering to turn and look at me.

Well, damn, that's not how I was expecting that to go.

To stay in the room, or to go after Arabella? That was the question that remained. I could have fun playing with her while she's out, especially with her drinking. Or I could sit here in the dark waiting for her return and ambush her when she returns. Decisions, decisions. I know which option I'm leaning toward. Now, I just need to make a decision. Either way, Arabella's lesson isn't over just yet tonight.