Page 51 of Ruined

Parker chuckled and gave Hunter a hug. "We have to keep you on your toes."

Gianni wrapped an arm around me and spoke softly in my ear. "That was really hot. You saying you could kill me yourself if you needed to. My cock is so hard right now."

I turned my face to him. "I'm not sure how I feel about you getting aroused from death threats."

He wiggled his eyebrows at me. "I can't help being fucked up, but it's more the idea of you killing, in general, than killing me in particular. I'd get just as hard if you threatened the twins or even Damon or Reuben."

"I'll bear that in mind," I said. I wasn't sure under what circumstances I'd threaten to kill any of them. As long as they never tried to restrain or cage me, then I'd have no reason to. If they did, they could expect a blade across their throat, not threats. I wouldn't hesitate if it meant avoiding being locked away again. I couldn't afford to. I wouldn't survive being back in there.

I didn't want to.

"I think we can all agree there's something attractive about a woman who can take care of herself," Damon said.

"And a man who can do that," Gianni said. "Which reminds me about your remark in the music shop. About being kinky." He cocked his head at Damon and looked expectant but hopeful, like he wasn't sure he'd get an answer, but he wanted one. And if he didn't, at least he got an opportunity to get a rise out of Damon. Although, I suspected he'd prefer his curiosity be satisfied, than teasing Damon. I wouldn't have minded knowing, myself.

Damon cleared his throat. "Can I be excused, boss? I have a few last-minute things I need to check over before tomorrow."

Reuben nodded. "Go. Keep me posted."

Gianni made a disappointed sound in the back of his throat as Damon opened the door and slipped out. "We can have that conversation later then. Good talk."

"I'm sure you all have places to be," Reuben said. He gave us all meaningful looks, but lingered longer on the twins and Gianni. His anger had cooled, but the message was clear. If any of them thought to go out on their own, he'd be pissed off at them. He expected them to stick to Damon's plan and bring Kurt in to be dealt with.

No one said anything about me following his plan.

CHAPTER 20

MINA

"Reuben is going to kill me for this." Daze drove the car away from the house. She only turned the lights on when we were out of sight.

"I won't let him kill you," I said. "You're only doing what I asked you to do."

"Which I'm only going along with because it was my brother," she said. "I still feel responsible for what he did. I mean, how did I not know?"

"My siblings didn't know either," I pointed out. "Don't beat yourself up about it. Save that anger for him." I had plenty of people I could blame for what happened. She wasn't one of them. She reminded me a lot of my sister, but wilder and more outspoken.

"I will, don't worry," she assured me. "I'm going to need some anger to spare, to deal with my guys too. They are going to be pissed off I left them out of this. Ric in particular. He hasn't stopped talking about you and the fact he should have figured things out sooner. I think he's waiting for Reuben to have him executed for failing him, and you."

"If Reuben has my cousin executed, I'll kick him in the balls," I said. "He wouldn't do that. He knows what family means to me. It means the same to him."

She glanced over at me. "I hope you're right. Killing Ric would create all kinds of trouble. It would irritate the hell out of Caleb and put a bunch of our operations back by a long way. Not to mention I'd miss him."

"All good reasons for Reuben not to do it. He'd be shooting himself in the foot. And annoying both of us." I checked the side of my boot for my knife, as well as my hip. If I was right, I needed to be ready. If I was wrong…

But I wasn't wrong. I knew Kurt and the way he thought. He said I was predictable. So was he.

"Reuben wouldn't want to do that," she agreed. "He's always been the pragmatic one. Always the one thinking with his head, not his heart, or his cock. Well, usually. When it comes to us women, they tend to let their body parts do the talking."

"That's why I asked you to help me tonight," I said. "I don't have to worry about you thinking with your dick." I also didn't have to worry about her feeling the need to sacrifice herself for me. She'd look after her own skin, as she should. That made her more impartial than any of my… Could I call them my boyfriends? I supposed I could.

She laughed. "I'd never be accused of that, that's for sure. Lots of other things, but not that."

"I'm sure you would," I agreed. "Mostly by people jealous of you."

"Does that include you?" she asked. "Because I'll be the first to admit I wish I was more like you."

I snorted. "Me? You're gorgeous, strong, smart and powerful. You're exactly the person I wanted to be when I was a kid."

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