Page 89 of Ivory's Ruin Romance

His love and his hurt, his anger and his pain, and everything beyond it belonged to her just as much as she belonged to him. Withholding them would feel like tearing apart her own soul, denying what she’d already pledged to give. She could heal him the same way he healed her. Pressing herself to his chest, she offered all she had in their kiss.

At last, he came back to life, holding her as if fate itself might try to rip her away. He kissed her until they were both out of breath but desperate for more.

She started to form the words to mumble it back, but he kissed her again and stole the phrase before it left her lips. “Not now,” he whispered, then pulled away and spoke sternly. “If you come with me, I need to be next to you at all times. Don’t leave me for a single minute, understand?”

She nodded. “Okay.”

“Good.” He squared his shoulders, walked over to his dresser, opened a drawer, and pulled out a gun. Her gaze locked onto the sleek metal, never having seen one in real life. Never been presented with the real threat of death. She didn’t have to ask if he was willing to use it.

Noticing her gaze, he tucked it away behind his back. “Just in case. Don’t be scared.”

“I’m not.”

She hurried to finish changing, thankful she’d packed a black dress in case they decided to go out tomorrow.

By the time she remembered to shut off the water in the bathroom, it had almost begun to overflow. Ripples dispersed under her fingertips, hot to the touch as she skimmed the surface. No doubt it’d be ice cold by the time they returned.

FORTY-THREE

He needed a damn cigarette.

Still slick from rain, asphalt gave way to lopsided puddles along the curb. The murky water reflected neon lights from downtown’s entertainment district, and groups of pedestrians huddled together on the sidewalk to ward off the chill in the air.

A bright blue sign flashed across the front of the most prominent building on the block, a symbol of the club suit of cards. He didn’t know who named the place, but always thought The Club wasn’t very original.

At least it was easy enough to remember, and the place had rapidly grown in popularity since Royal Flush bought it years ago. When Riley decided to go straight into bartending after graduating high school, he hadn’t been thrilled, but at least he knew she’d be well-guarded working here.

Or so he thought. They must’ve let a prospect manage the entrance tonight. Who the fuck let one of the Dragons onto the property, much less a Yu? That shit could’ve ended with a lot more spilled blood—or worse.

He should’ve been there.

Normally, he made it a habit to check in every few weeks but hadn’t stopped by in a while. If he’d been around, then maybe he could’ve stopped Jun from waltzing in and attacking her. How many more people would he fail to protect?

His fingers tightened around Ivory’s, but her gentle squeeze brought him back. Her hand became his only comfort, warm despite the chilly air and too perfect of a fit for him to admit. Ironically, it was the first time he held hands with a girl other than family. Yet their situation couldn’t be less romantic, and the bandage around her finger was a subtle reminder of what could happen if they weren’t careful.

Ivory deserved better. She deserved a real date, not some fucked up family drama. A real reason to have put on that pretty black dress and done her hair up with the ribbon.

And yet, she’d almost said—

He didn’t dare think about the words that slipped out in his room. Didn’t want her to say them back just because he had. It wouldn’t be right to ask or expect so much of her, especially when tonight could change her perception about everything.

Still, he stood by what he’d said. It was the truth.

He’d been in love with her for a while now. When that happened didn’t matter, nor did he know the exact moment his desire to protect her turned into a need to possess her. But it had, and nothing would change that.

Instead of dwelling on the soft spot Ivory carved out of his granite heart, he focused on the old memories brought back by entering the club’s double glass doors. The first time he brought Caspian here during their freshman year. The late nights he spent out with Raptor all the years before that. They’d been young and too careless for their own good, getting into more trouble than they’d bargained for, but determined to earn their respect.

Now, they were all grown, and the only thing that changed was who they had to prove themselves to.

His arm circled Ivory’s waist as they walked into the foyer. Behind the entryway, black walls framed a view of the dancefloor, guarded by the bouncer behind a sleek glass countertop. Loud dance music rumbled through the walls as the DJ called out to the crowd.

Adrian nodded to the bouncer, a recruit Raptor had introduced him to a few months ago, and with a nod of acknowledgment, both he and Ivory were waved inside. He scanned the mass of bodies bouncing under the strobe lights and along the second-floor railing, half hoping to find Jace or even Jun glaring back. But they wouldn’t be dumb enough to stick around on enemy territory, and if they had, Raptor would’ve gotten to them already.

A familiar face registered in the corner—Jewelle Yu—cousin to Jun and Jace. She didn’t have the same standing in the family as the brothers and wasn’t an official Red Dragon, but her magnetism for chaos unnerved him, to say the least. Ivory noticed, too, and gave him a wary glance.

Had Jewelle come to watch, or did they have more planned?

Not wanting to draw attention to the fact he’d noticed Jewelle, he kept his gaze straight and moved farther in. He had to get the whole story before making any irrational moves. From Raptor’s call, it sounded like Jun left a message along with the imprint of his fist, but Raptor wouldn’t say over the phone.

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