Page 40 of Ruthless King

Sweat gathered at my neck, and everything around me began to blur. “Courtland.” It was my youngest brother, Knight. “Look, it’s the girls.”

Turning my head, my eyes locked on the most beautiful woman in the crowd. Everything around me disappeared when she was within reach. The float was loaded down with the staff of Music City, but the only person I saw was the angel sitting front and center in the captivating red dress with a slit up to Salvation and fuck me heels. As soon as they passed by, we all clapped and cheered, whistling our way to the sidewalk and beyond.

When all the floats had descended on the square and it was wall-to-wall trailers, we took off to the Lux, where Ben had transformed the ballroom into Halloween Central. Stations were set up around the perimeter of the space, where kids were lined up ten deep, and frazzled parents stood with spiced cider or bottles of beer in their hands, looking like they hadn’t slept in weeks but fueled by adrenaline.

The girls were hanging back a bit but promised they’d be here soon. While I waited, I poured a glass of Macallan from Ben’s private stash and made my way to the stage area. Looking around, I took in the scene. Residents here were happy. They lived a simple, carefree life. Could I do this? Did I want to do this?

As soon as I caught sight of her, I knew without a doubt. This was what I wanted, whether I moved here or she came to Manhattan. We could make it work. She only wanted time. I moved toward her and met her with an embrace that had my dick twitching in my pants.

She looked down and gasped. “Courtland, can’t you keep that thing under control?” A look of horror flashed across her beautiful face. Then she laughed, and I joined her.

“Buttercup, I have mastery of most things in my life, but when I’m around you, my dick is the last thing I can control.” Before she could stage a smart-ass comeback, Ben grabbed everyone’s attention by announcing dinner was being served.

Ben mercifully sat Molly beside me, with Julia to her left. Jackson was on my other side, and, mother of all mothers, Lucy was seated directly across from him. I made note to listen in as much as possible for any clues as to their you know what, but I wanted to give my full attention to Buttercup, so that bit of intel would have to wait.

After finishing crème brûlées, we walked toward the main hall where the booths were set up. Most of the families had left for the night, so that gave us a little privacy as we strolled hand in hand through the exhibits.

My phone was burning a hole in my pocket. Jackson said everything would be ready at ten o’clock, and it was nine forty-five. I hadn’t heard from my brother, and I was losing my mind. As if on cue, my phone buzzed with a message.

Jack: Everything’s ready. Use the front entrance.

Me: Sounds good, man.

Jack; Don’t fuck this up.

Me: Bite me.

I laughed as I slid my phone into my pocket and tugged her toward the door. “Let’s get your coat. I’m ready to go.” Everyone was starting to disperse, so she didn’t balk at the idea. We said our goodbyes to family and friends and headed out, but when we got to the Bluebird, I stopped at my car.

“What’s going on?” Her puzzled look made me smile.

“I need to run an errand, Buttercup. You up for it?” Dear God, what would I do if she refused? She shot me a devilish grin and nodded subtly. Tucking her into the passenger seat, I rounded to the driver’s side. I was walking on fucking air with no chance of falling.

Chapter 28

Molly

Courtland, this is the hospital.” Suddenly, my palms were sweaty, and my breaths were coming out in rapid spurts. “What are we doing here?” I couldn’t understand. Hospitals held the most devastating memories of my life. Why would he bring me here? Shaking my head, tears welled in my eyes.

“Do you trust me, Buttercup?” Taking my hands, he kept his voice low, trying to maintain a calm, but I was looking at him like a frightened deer with a scope tattooed to its forehead. I felt the blood drain from my face and thought I was going to be sick. “Molly, baby. Look at me.” I hiccupped a sob and turned water-soaked eyes on him. I could see my fear reflected in his eyes. I needed to get out of my head.

I fought for the words. “I trust you, Courtland.” They were just words, but did I really believe them? Did I trust this man who had stormed into my life and taken my heart captive without demanding ransom?

He looked at me tenderly and lifted my chin with one finger, his lips gently melding with mine. It wasn’t the ravaging, passionate kiss we usually shared. This one was innocent and chaste, and it chased away the fears of a lifetime. When he pulled back and smiled, and that dimple winked at me, I knew. I trusted this man with my life.

Taking a deep breath, I returned the smile. “I’m ready.” I waited for him to open my door, and we walked gingerly up the sidewalk. He held me close to his side when my steps faltered. “I don’t understand. Why are we here, Courtland?” His expression turned grave, and I was suddenly worried about his family. Had his father been taken back to the hospital after the festival?

Instead of answering, he turned his handsome face toward me and flashed that million-dollar playboy smile again as he placed two fingers over my lips. “Buttercup, this place has held tragic memories for you far too long. It’s time to make better ones.”

Not really understanding his words, I allowed the warmth of his strong arms to surround me until we made it to the entrance. When the sliding doors opened for us, I took in the atmosphere. The lights were low and soft music was playing in the background. The last time I was here was after the accident, but I hadn’t noticed any music.

As we walked toward the lobby area, I noticed two things. The music was getting louder, and familiar voices were coming from somewhere down the hallway. When we rounded the corner, I froze, and my heart did that pitter-patter thing where I thought it might burst out of my chest.

Hot tears, tears I had stoically held back moments earlier, streamed down my cheeks. I was overcome with emotion. If it hadn’t been for Courtland’s hand gripping mine, I would have collapsed. Every inch of the lobby was lit by tiny twinkling fairy lights, and my parents stood in the midst of the room.

I couldn’t see clearly; the tears made it hard to focus, but when I heard my mother sob, I was done for. I swiped blindly at my eyes before my vision cleared. But it wasn’t just my parents who came into view. Courtland’s mom and dad stood beside mine; his dad clutched my dad’s shoulder, and he was smiling brightly.

As I was held captive by what I was seeing, the rest of the crowd began to stir. Julia and Ben were beaming up at me from their chairs while the rest of our friends huddled around something I couldn’t quite make out. When the crowd parted, I saw what they’d been staring at, and it took my breath away.

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