Page 31 of Ruined

"Did you want something, prick?" I asked coldly.

He laughed. "Is that the best you can do, bitch?"

"I don't know, it's more original than 'bitch,'" I replied.

How I managed to keep my voice even, I didn't know. I drew strength from the three men around me. Every single one of them would have torn Kurt apart if he was here.

They'd hold me if I wanted to lose my cool and cry for a while. They'd also hand me knives if I wanted to carve my initials into Kurt's forehead.

If it wasn't for them, I might well have unravelled on the spot.

"Bitch is appropriate," Kurt said. "Like a female dog, you belong in a cage." He chuckled. "That was why I kept you in one. Don't tell me you didn't enjoy being on all fours in front of me while I?—"

Reuben growled. A literal growl. His face was red, eyes flashing with pure fury, as though he might rip Kurt's throat out through the phone.

Silence came through the line, followed by another laugh. "Sounds like the bitch found another dog. I heard a rumour about you being seen with Reuben Brantley. I'm surprised he'd want anyone's sloppy seconds. Then again, he's a Brantley. None of them are known for being discerning."

"I'm going to enjoy rearranging his face," Gianni whispered.

"If I don't do it first," Damon snapped.

"I don't mind sharing," Gianni told him.

"I bet you don't," Kurt said. "Mina has three holes. I'm sure she's told you all about how I've had all of them."

"Did. You. Want. Something?" I ground out. "If you called to remind me what a piece of shit you are, you could have saved us both some time. I have better things to do than think about you."

"Right," he drew the word out. "Like getting back to being an assassin. Does Reuben know about that?"

"Yes, he does," I replied. "He knows what happened to that girl. He's seen the photos of what you did to me. They were on the phone I found at Stefan's place before I killed him."

The silence on the other end suggested Kurt hadn't known his associate was dead. Good, it was about time I got the better of him.

"He was very helpful," I continued. "He gave me all sorts of interesting information about you. It's funny how much people like to talk when they have a knife to their throat."

"You never were a good liar." He sounded uneasy.

I clearly hit a nerve. He wasn't sure what I knew. I could be right outside his door, waiting to step inside and slice him open. Like all cowards, he went on the defensive.

"That's bullshit, and you know it," I said. "Like everything else that comes out of your mouth. Let me tell you, you will regret everything you did to me. We will find you and?—"

"Fuck you up," Gianni said helpfully.

"Yes, that," I said.

Kurt chuckled, his ego back in place. "That's where you're wrong, bitch. You won't find me before I find you. Then we'll see who fucks whom up. I know you. You can't and won't hide behind Reuben Brantley forever. The minute you step out, I'll have you. In every sense of the word. I'm going to make that cage look like a holiday. When I'm finished with you, you'll beg for forgiveness and for my cock. Just like you used to."

Before I could respond, he ended the call.

"I hate telemarketers," Gianni said, his expression perfectly serious.

I managed a faint smile before turning off the phone. "Looks like I need a new phone number." Although, he'd likely find a way to get that too.

"These days, most people don't answer their phones," Damon said. "It saves talking to someone they don't want to talk to."

I gave him a funny look. "What's the point of phones then? Don't tell me, people are still watching funny cat videos on social media."

"Exactly," Gianni said. "They also come in useful for texting and letting the boss and Damon know that prick was on the line."

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