Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 224

Sylvia followed Rupert into the room, her nerves jangling like a loose screen door in a windstorm. She swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure as Rupert gave her a sidelong glance, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

"Need any help?" he teased, his voice smooth as Tennessee whiskey.

Sylvia snapped back to reality, trying to sound nonchalant. "No, you're the patient, and I'm supposed to take care of you."

"Didn't ask for an explanation," Rupert said, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if he was just asking the time.

She bit her lip, quickly undoing the buttons on his shirt. Underneath the crisp fabric lay a body that was anything but modest. His muscles were firm, his abs defined but not overly so. The belt sat just right on his hips, hinting at the lines of his physique.

Sylvia took a deep breath and looked away, but Rupert leaned in closer.

"You unbutton shirts that quickly for anyone else?" he asked, his voice flat, like he was asking about the weather.

She felt her heart skip a beat. "No one."

He acted like he hadn't heard her. "Warren?"

"No! Besides..." you.

mouth shut, but Rupert wasn't about to

"Besides who?"

she noticed the blood trickling down his shoulder

need to sit

tugged Rupert back onto the couch, moving behind him to help him out of the shirt. As she did, a gasp escaped her

the Garcia family for years, but being an outsider, she was never allowed into the

daughter were barred from the family's annual memorial services. They were seen as interlopers, tainting the sacred

son returned, Tristan immediately ushered them into the chapel, seeking

allowed a brief visit during memorials.

thought Tristan

scold him, sure, but nothing too

imagined Rupert

mess of crisscrossing

patches, they'd surely be a grisly

of emotions

skin was

behind him, she couldn't see his