Page 30 of Ruined

"No, but Asher, being Asher, he'd be devastated about what happened to me. You know what they say about ignorance being bliss." I didn't want to break his happy, rock star bubble.

"I've heard something about that, but I also know people don't like having other people make up their mind for them," he said. "Whatever you decide to do, I support you one hundred percent. Just think about it, okay?"

His expression wasn't judgemental at all, just offering an alternative perspective. One I had considered, but had to dismiss for now. When the time came, I'd see both of my brothers. In the meantime, I'd let them live their lives.

"Can I ask you something?" I glanced toward the door, but no one seemed to be around.

As far as I knew, Reuben and Damon were in Reuben's office working. Terry was in the kitchen making something that smelled wonderful. The scent of meat and vegetables wafted through the house.

"Of course," Gianni said. "I'm as open as any of these books." He jerked his head towards the shelf closest to the couch. A lot more books were housed there than there used to be. Many I'd read, but lots I hadn't.

"Damon and Reuben," I said carefully. "Have they ever…"

A brief frown flitted across Gianni's brow. "Been intimate? Fucked?"

I swallowed at the mental image his words conjured. "Either of those things. Both. The other night, I got the impression that Damon might want to."

Gianni looked thoughtful. "To my knowledge, no, nothing has happened between them. Unlike me, Damon is a closed book. Reuben too. I won't say I haven't noticed chemistry between them, but whether or not they'd act on it is another thing. Would that bother you?"

"Not at all," I said.

A sly grin crept onto his face. "Would it turn you on?"

My face heated. "It might. I wouldn't ask them to if they weren't interested."

"I would," Gianni said with a grin. "Now you've put that idea in my head, I'd pay money to see it. Just imagine…"

He was interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing in my lap. The sound was so unexpected, I startled.

The screen lit up. No contact or location, just a number I didn't recognise.

"Who knows your phone number?" Gianni asked.

I shook my head. "No one." My first instinct was to ignore the call, but I picked up my phone and glanced at Gianni before accepting and pressing the screen to put it on speakerphone.

Before I could say anything, a voice spoke.

"Miss me, bitch?"

CHAPTER 12

MINA

I almost dropped the phone, but managed to hold on in spite of trembling fingers.

Hearing Kurt's voice again brought everything back in a flood that threatened to swamp me harder than the photos had.

His voice haunted my sleep and waking hours for so long, it was stamped in an endless round of nightmares.

He continued before I could formulate a response.

"You're so fucking predictable, Mina," he said. "Did you think I wouldn't have this number? That I wouldn't know the moment the Sparrow was reactivated? The second that happened, I was notified. You think I don't keep track of my property?"

He emphasised my codename, probably hoping someone was in the room with me and didn't already know. He'd be more than happy to expose me. Whatever it took to drag me down. To get under my skin.

Gianni fumbled with his phone and sent off a message. I was vaguely aware of it in the corner of my eye.

I didn't know who he was messaging, or why, until Reuben and Damon all but thundered into the library.

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