Soul Of A Woman (The Dark Souls) by Jamie Begley

the drawer, studying it for several moments before closing the drawer.
    “ You still keep her picture beside your bed?” Broni nodded at the nightstand.
    “Yes.”
    “She was very beautiful.”
    “Yes , she was. Deena was the most beautiful woman I ever knew, on the inside and out. She was killed five years ago.”
    “You loved her very much ,” Broni spoke softly.
    Rhys avoided her sympathetic gaze.
    “I still do ,” he stated, giving her fair warning that his heart would never be involved, regardless of what happened in his bed.
    “Is that why you have tried every conceivable way in the last few years to kill yourself?”

     
    Chapter 8
     
    Broni knew she had said the wrong thing as soon as the words came out of her mouth. Rhys didn’t want to discuss Deena with a woman , certainly not with one he had just fucked.
    “It’s time for you to go to sleep.” Rhys stood up from the bed , moving away from her touch.
    Broni stared at his muscular body . He had strove for the last five years to end his life other than put a gun to his own head. Between the dangerous deals with drug cartels and the liquor he consumed in large quantities, she was surprised his body didn’t show the affects other than a knife wound and a scar where he had been shot two years ago.
    “Go take a shower, Rhys.” She ignored his angry glare , returning it with an impassive one of her own. His heavy sigh sounded loud in the room, but he went into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
    Broni stifled her smile at his a rrogant attitude. She lay down on the mattress, waiting for his return. Her body felt tender, tendrils of arousal tightening her nipples as she remembered Rhys taking her. It had been raunchy sex, and she had enjoyed every second of it. She wasn’t ashamed to admit it to herself.
    “ I need to get some sleep.” Rhys stated reentering the room. Broni looked at him, seeing that she had touched him deeper than he was willing to admit to himself.
    She scooted under the covers , aware of his gaze on her body. He lay down next to her, making sure his body didn’t touch hers. Broni didn’t try to close the distance between them, giving him the space he needed. She was good at giving him what he needed without him knowing she was doing it.
    She fell asleep , despite wanting to reach out and tempt him into taking her again. She dreamt of getting separated from her sisters in the Hallway of Death, her fears making her dreams into nightmares that had her waking early, unable to get back to sleep.
    Dressing , she didn’t wait for Dee to come and get her, instead she went to the clubroom to get started without her. She plugged the coffee maker in, starting a fresh pot. Usually, Dee went out and bought it, but Broni didn’t want to wait when it was simple to make. She was pouring herself a cup when Dee came out of one of the bedrooms.
    “You ’re up early today. It couldn’t have been that good if you’re not still sleeping,” she teased.
    Broni liked Dee. She was helpful and sought to protect her when she could, when it was actually her that needed protection from those that were using her.
    Broni shut down her judgmental mind. She had enjoyed her night with Rhys. She wasn’t about to judge Dee for enjoying the same with other men.
    She was doing the dishes when Jace came in , carrying a young woman that had been beaten badly.
    “Dee, get Adam . Send him to my room.” He carried her down the back hallway and Broni followed, hoping to help.
    Jace lay the tiny woman on the bed , reaching down to cover her with a thick blanket. Broni gasped when Jace stepped back and she could see the bruises on her fine features.
    “What happened?” Adam asked , coming into the bedroom with Dee.
    “Tank ,” Jace said grimly. “He was furious when he left here.” He nodded to the woman lying on the bed. “They rode their bikes to Pleasant Hill.” Broni had been in the city several months ago and recognized the name of the exclusive