Knotted By The Devilish Alpha Brothers

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: secret relationship

Skye went completely still. Her green eyes narrowed, like she was trying to determine if Amelia had lost her mind entirely.

”Are you crazy?”

She turned and started walking down the corridor. Amelia followed immediately, limping slightly but refusing to fall behind. The dull throb in her leg was a distant ache compared to the urgency pounding in her chest.

”You know that if the men find out I’m a virgin, it’s going to end terribly,” Amelia said, keeping her voice low, her words rushed. ”Wouldn’t it be better to find someone else who can break it first? Someone who won’t make it a memory I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to forget?”

Skye didn’t slow her pace. Her shoulders were rigid, her jaw tight. ”It’s way more terrible if the men smell another man’s scent on you. They do not share their properties with anyone else.” She glanced sideways, her green eyes staring her down. ”No offence, but you are their property. You chose to be one.”

The words stung. Amelia felt them land hard in her chest. She flinched internally, but kept her expression steady.

”So what else can I do?” Frustration tightened her voice, making it brittle. ”I can’t let the men take my virginity. That is a very cruel thought to have. I’d rather—” She stopped herself, not wanting to voice the alternative.

Skye exhaled through her nose, a sound of exasperation. ”That’s a nightmare for you. But it’s most women’s dream in the territory the devils came from—the Deadwood territory.”

Amelia’s steps faltered for half a second. ”Why?”

”The status. The power. The connections. What else?” Skye’s voice was flat, matter-of-fact. ”Being claimed by the Ellington brothers isn’t just about sex. It’s about elevation. Protection. A place in the most powerful family in the region.”

Amelia’s brows drew together. ”So they would prefer to be treated like an asset just for the benefits?”

Skye gave a small, dry shrug. ”Isn’t that what you’re doing? Trading your body for survival?”

”It’s not the same.” Amelia’s voice came out sharply. ”I didn’t choose this. I’m not doing this for power or status. I’m doing this because I have no other option.”

They reached the entrance to Amelia’s room and stopped. Rue stood directly in front of the door, her expression a mixture of anger and sharp disbelief. Her arms were crossed, her posture rigid.

”I can’t believe this,” Rue said, her voice dripping with contempt.

Amelia automatically braced herself for the usual threats—the venom, the thinly veiled promises of violence. Before any could come, Skye stepped forward with an easy smile, her posture relaxing.

”Rue. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”

Rue’s eyes cut to her, narrowing. ”Do you know who this rat is? Why she’s still alive? What her place is in this house?”

”Of course I do.”

”So why am I hearing that you’re her personal maid?” Rue’s voice rose, incredulous. ”You’re better than this. And you better give me the perfect explanation or so help me-”

Skye turned slightly toward Amelia. ”Go inside. Unless you want to enter this conversation.”

Amelia shook her head once. She didn’t want to hear another word from Rue. She opened the door without another word and stepped into her room, ignoring the heavy, deadly stare that followed her from Rue.

The moment the door clicked shut, Skye reached out and closed her fingers around Rue’s wrist firmly. Without giving her time to protest, she pulled her firmly down the corridor, away from Amelia’s room and any listening ears.

”Leave me alone,” Rue hissed, trying to tug free. Her heels scraped against the marble floor. ”What are you even doing here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

Skye didn’t answer until they rounded a corner into a quieter stretch of hallway. The paintings on the walls seemed to watch them pass. Only then did she stop and turn to face her fully. For a second neither of them spoke. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words.

Then Skye stepped forward and kissed her.

Rue’s body stiffened in surprise before melting into it, lips responding almost against her will. The kiss was brief but heated, full of months of distance and frustration. When Rue finally pulled back, her breathing was uneven, her cheeks flushed.

”Your kissing won’t change the subject.”

Skye’s voice softened. ”I missed you too. That’s why I chose to be her personal maid—to be closer to you. It’s been so long since I’ve seen my girlfriend.”

Rue’s expression tightened. ”You know I always come to visit. You didn’t have to come here.”

”I already have.” Skye’s voice was simple, final. ”Shouldn’t you be happy that I’m here? That we can see each other every day?”

”That’s not the point.” Rue’s voice dropped, edged with something sharper. ”You know the reason the distance was necessary.”

Skye nodded slowly, her green eyes never leaving Rue’s face. ”I know. You’ve sung it like an anthem. Get the position as the devils’ wife so you can finally get what you wish for.”

Rue’s eyes flashed. ”It’s not a wish. It’s a mission. One I would have completed so soon if that rat was already dead and rotting somewhere. But she isn’t. And now you’re going to be with her, making sure she stays alive. That ruins my plans completely.”

Skye reached for her hand again, holding it more gently this time. Her thumb brushed lightly over Rue’s knuckles. ”I’m not going to ruin any of your plans.” She paused. ”I just hope you remember the main reason you’re carrying this mission.”

Rue’s shoulders eased a fraction. ”I know. It’s for both our benefit. Not just mine.”

Skye smiled, though a strange, uneasy feeling settled in her chest. She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around Rue, pulling her into a brief, firm hug.

”I’ll help you in whatever way I can,” she murmured against her hair. ”But causing Amelia’s death will definitely lead to suspicion. If the brothers find out I had anything to do with it, they can connect the dots between us. There has to be another way to get rid of her.”