I slid off the bed and smoothed Khaos’s hackles down. “It’s okay, buddy. He isn’t going to hurt me.” At least, not physically. When the German shepherd settled a little, I turned to Ronan. “Pll come if Khaos can sleep here tonight. He likes my bed.” I’d even set up a bowl of water and a plate of pumpkin pie I found in the kitchen. Ronan wasn’t impressed. “Fine. But shut the door. My brother and his family are still here. And your dog is a nutcase.” “You’re a nutcase.” “You were the one involved in a porridge catfight downstairs.” “She pulled my hair,” I explained simply and shut the door behind me. His eyes darkened. “That won’t ever happen again. Nobody pulls your hair except me.” Apparently, Ronan was just going to pretend tomorrow wasn’t happening. The lance of resentment burning through me only reaffirmed my decision to make a break for it and find a hiding place until morning. I couldn’t sleep with Ronan tonight. I couldn’t handle it emotionally, physically—any of the —allys. He turned toward his room. I sprinted down the hall in the opposite direction. A rough exhale. A growled, “Mila.” And then the sound of his expensive boots on my trail. I flew down the stairs, frantically thinking of a good place to hide. In my haste, I barreled into the dining room and came to a full stop when I saw Gianna, Christian, and Kat enjoying a nice family meal. I panted, chest heaving. Gianna hid a laugh. “Uh-oh,” Kat murmured. “Mila is in trouble.” Ronan grabbed me by the waist and pulled me off my feet. “Make sure you try the vatrushka,” he said nonchalantly. “Polina makes the best.” Christian gave his brother an indecipherable look before Ronan swung me into his arms and carried me up the stairs. I could fight him, but now his masculine scent surrounded me and confused my senses. His warmth soaked into my skin, forcing the resistance to melt within. He dropped me on his bed and straddled my hips. “You shouldn’t have heard any of that.” I knew he was speaking about what Nadia had told me. I swallowed. “Because I’m too weak to handle it?”