by R Holmes
I watch as Rhys goes completely rigid. His body turns straight to stone. He clenches his jaw so tightly I think it might crack, but he eventually speaks again.
“There was no one there. We checked, three times.” His cold, dark eyes search the room as if he’s worried of anyone overhearing what he’s saying. If he knew I was here, I don’t think I would be safe any longer. If he knew that I was stealing his secrets, he’d come after me next.
“We didn’t check the basement. I thought I heard something when we were leaving, but I figured it was the house shifting. What if it wasn’t? Man, what if we killed someone? This shit isn’t just arson anymore.”
Oh, God.
An audible gasp escapes me before I can clamp my mouth shut and my heart stops beating in my chest. I don’t even think, I just turn on my heel and run. As fast as my legs in these stupid shoes will carry me. I slip out the back exit door as quietly as I possibly can and fly out into the cool summer night air, taking in gulps like I’m drowning.
Maybe I am.
Does this make me an accomplice to murder?
I run over to the side of the building, where it’s dark and I’m hidden by shadows, then drop my hands to my knees while I try to catch my breath. Not from overexertion, but because of the enormity of what I just witnessed.
“Don’t fucking move.”
A cold, unnerving voice comes from behind me. Whipping around, I suck in a cold, hard breath of the air that’s piercing my lungs.
“I-I…” I start as Rhys comes into view under the streetlamp. His face is a mask of no emotion, showing nothing but the signature scowl on his lips. He looks deadly. He stalks forward as I get up and take steps backward, until I feel the cold brick against my back. My backpack lays on the ground next to where I was moments ago.
“I-I didn’t hear anything,” I say, stuttering over my words.
My voice shakes from fear. I’m scared shitless of the guy standing before me, and I’m scared with the way he’s looking at me now, I might be next on their list.
Get a grip, Valentina. He wouldn’t hurt you… Would he?
“You’re lying,” he sneers, standing right in front of me now.
“I’m not.”
He smirks without a trace of humor and brings his hand up to my hair, twirling a piece around his finger.
“I detest liars,” he says simply. “Who are you?”
“Don’t touch me,” I spit back at him. I jerk from his hold, trying to create distance between us, only for him to cage me in even closer.
He chuckles darkly.
“Oh, little lamb… you’re not in any position to sass me, now are you? All alone out here in the dark, no one around to hear you.”
“Get off me. I didn’t hear anything, I didn’t see anything. I just want to go back to my dorm. Let me go, now.”
“That right?” The muscles in his jaw tick as he clenches his teeth tightly. He’s close enough that I smell his cologne. Musky, manly, a hit of cedarwood.
I nod.
I go to open my mouth to speak, and he places his finger against my lips, silencing me. My heart pounds in my chest so hard it feels as if it may come out of my skin, and a shudder racks my body with his hands on me.
His eyes drag up and down my body in a slow perusal until the bottomless black pits of his irises bore into mine. They search my own, for what, I don’t know, but seconds pass in uncomfortable silence.
“Let me tell you how this is going to go…” He inches even closer until I’m pressed tightly against him and his finger still rest on my lips, gently yet menacingly rubbing my tender flesh. His knee parts my legs, wrenching them further apart. I’m pinned against the cold brick of the building and he has no qualms about how he’s invading my personal space. Being in my presence seems to do nothing but make him even more angry.
“You’re going to take your books, and go back to your dorm, and forget you ever came here tonight. Obviously, you’re a nobody, or I’d know who you were.”
My hands are shaking against the wall as I dig my fingers into the frigid, hard brick, trying not to show any sign of weakness which would only allow him more power.
His finger leaves my lips and his hand travels to my throat, where he wraps his fingers around me, squeezing gently. Not enough to hurt, but enough so that I feel the threat in them. The tension in the air is so thick, it’s suffocating. Completely.
And I feel it. I feel exactly the message he’s trying to convey. Do not fuck with the fallen angel of St. Augustine. They call him fallen for a reason. Do not cross these boys. There’s nothing remotely innocent about his touch. He’s trying to scare me, to hurt me for what I’ve overheard.
“You must be new here… maybe not, I don’t really care either way. I’d hate to have to slip into your dorm while you were asleep, unsuspecting, and make sure you keep that pretty little mouth shut.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and nod.
“Heed my warning. I don’t fucking joke. This is not a game, and you are not safe here any longer. Every corner you turn, I’ll be there. Every time you walk into a room, you’ll feel my presence even if you can’t see me. There’s not a place you can run that I won’t find you… little lamb. This school is mine and everyone here is in my pocket. Be a good girl and keep your fucking mouth shut. You were never here tonight.”
I feel his breath dance across my lips as he threatens me, and a shiver runs down my spine. Fear mixed with a forbidden amount of arousal. This is wrong, everything about it. His hand is still pressed tightly against my throat and the feel of his skin burns against my body. I shouldn’t feel anything but disdain toward Rhys, yet here I am practically panting beneath his touch. It’s fucked-up. My heart is pounding so ferociously in my chest, my fear is palpable. I know it, he feeds off of it.
“Go. Don’t forget… I have eyes everywhere,” he commands, letting go of my throat, allowing me to grab my backpack and run. And I run until my legs burn with pain, until they can’t carry me any further. I never look back at the cold boy with the endless, sad eyes. My stomach is in knots, fear consumes me. I feel like I might actually puke from the mixture of adrenaline and dread. I can’t calm the racing of my heart inside my chest.
I have a feeling this is not the last time I’ll encounter Rhys Blackwood. And that thrills me and terrifies me all at the same time.
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A note from R. Holmes
Hi guys!
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Thank you SO much for reading Tarnished Vow. I hope you loved these two as much as I did while writing it!
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While their story is much more of a slow burn, I believe wholeheartedly it is the story they deserve and the love that they fought so hard for. I know there are unanswered questions, but I promise not to make you wait too long. Alec’s book will be released summer 2021. Sebastian and Presley’s story IS complete.
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If you loved these two, please take a moment and leave a review. Review’s mean the world to authors and I would appreciate it SO very much.
Review here.
Acknowledgments
I can’t believe I am finally writing this. Seriously, Sebastian’s book took everything out of me. It was the HARDEST book I’ve ever written for multiple reasons and at times I would just sit at my desk and cry because I didn’t know if I would be able to finish it. The mind is a fickle place.
Thankfully, I did finish and here we are. Their story is so powerful, and emotional and nothing that I had originally planned. But, the character’s in your head seem to take you on a journey even when you’re not prepared.
I have so many people to thank for standing by my side. First and foremost, my husband who goes above and beyond to support, encourage, and empower me. I wholeheartedly believe that I would never be able to do this without you. I love you and my boys.
Next, I want to thank my team. If there is anything that I’ve learned, it’s that I am NOTHING without my te
am.
Katie, my ride or die, literally my shoulder to cry on LOL. How many times did I lose my shit and voice chat you during this? You are such a vital, irreplaceable part of my team and I would have never finished this book without you. You are so kind, genuine, and the ultimate hype girl and I love you so much.
To my betas: Ofa, Aliana, Alexandria, Sabrina, and Mary… This book is for you. Without your words of encouragement and feedback, this story would be a jumbled mess. Thank you so much for everything you put in, and I hope you guys never leave my side. I need you forever!
Amy, my queen, my savior, my darling editor… am I laying it on too thick? Hahaha you are the best and you know it. You bend over backwards to accommodate me and only bitch a tiny bit. I can’t thank you enough for your dedication to making my words not shit. I love you!
Jackie-O: Thank you for being the best PA. You take me and my dramatics in stride and seamlessly organize my life. Thank you for keeping me sane. I love you so much.
To my bff’s Portia, Holly, Kayleigh and Veronica: I love y’all. Seriously. I’m so lucky to have you in my tribe. Me + you = FOREVER.
Somehow, I’m lucky enough to have a group of girls who are my ultimate hype women and support me endlessly. My Sinners and my Dirty Girls are the best and I am so so so thankful for you.
To every blogger, bookstagrammer, reader, reviewer, Booktoker… thank you. Whether you loved or hated Tarnished Vow, thank you for picking it up and taking a chance on me. Without you guys, our world wouldn’t turn. You are so dedicated and voracious and the book community is so lucky to have each of you.
Till the next one guys!
Also by R. Holmes
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Boys of St. Augustine Series
Immoral Confessions
Tarnished Vow
Corrupt Prayers (July 2021)
Vengeful Altar
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MC Series
Sins of my Father (coming soon)
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Standalone
Misfit
The Beginning of the End
Jingle Wars
Hate to Want You
About R. Holmes
Villains that Wreck You
R. Holmes is from a small town in southern Louisiana where she lives on a farm, with her husband and two little boys. Whenever she's not chasing around the goats and her boys on the farm, she spends her time watching ridiculous amounts of Netflix and is almost always stuck with her nose in a book. She thrives on horror films, sarcasm, and reruns of Harry Potter. A perpetual night owl, you'll find her in her office locked away until the wee hours of the morning. She loves to meet her readers and discuss her latest favorite books and her upcoming projects!
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