Page 59 of Savage Claim

The rhythmic pounding of music pulsated through Wrath & Ruin while colorful lights flashed over the crowd. The glittering cave decor shimmered and popped like jewels. I inhaled the sweat, alcohol, and lust pumping through the air as I danced, losing myself in the music. My dark side unfurled and longed to come out and play.

Not now.

After learning my biological parents were in The Collective, I’d spent the week staring at every pack member that even slightly resembled me, wondering if they could be a parent, a cousin, or a sibling. I was going to go nuts if I didn’t get out of that house.

So I freely walked out of the gates for the first time while Fane was brooding in his art studio—where I wasn’t allowed—and found my way to Ruin’s club. I tried to forget all the chaos in my life and focus on the music. The ten shots of tequila helped to numb me a little.

Would Fane be pissed when he realized I was gone even though Venna and Mykel were dead?

Probably.

I still had a hard time facing what I did to Mykel. I was glad he was dead, but I would have much rather chopped his head off than inhaled his life.

Ruin appeared on the second-story balcony of his VIP section, the piercings running along one ear catching the bouncing lights. Tattoos crawled over his visible skin except his face, which was flawless and as perfect as real life would ever be.

Feeling my stare, his vibrant demon eyes lowered, a smile tipping his lips when he saw me. He quickly surveyed the area, noticing the lack of a certain demon shifter shadow, and then he vanished from the balcony.

Moments later, the patrons parted on the dance floor, and Ruin strolled toward me, that sultry energy pulsating around him. He lowered his head to kiss my cheek. “Hi, beautiful. What are you doing here without your bodyguard? Are you being naughty?”

As I hugged him, I breathed in his familiar vanilla scent, comforted by his presence. Less than two years ago, I would have rather punched a high demon than hug one.

“Are you okay?” I asked. When he and Logan visited me at Silver Ridge while I was healing, something seemed off with Ruin. It still did. A melancholy atmosphere encased the demon lord since that disastrous meeting at Corvin Manor.

His head cocked to the side. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“That meeting wasn’t fair to you.” I pulled out of his embrace and put a few inches between us. “I know you don’t have anything to do with harming shifters. You would never do that.”

Ruin sighed, allowing some of his charming mask to slip, revealing the sadness surrounding him. “I’m used to it. I’ve been blamed for a lot in this city. It comes with the job, but at least it bolsters my fierce reputation where my enemies are concerned.”

The demon lord could pretend Coltrane’s accusations didn’t faze him, but I saw beyond the arrogant smile. It actually hurt him.

“Is Fane still pretending he wants to kill you even though it’s obvious he’s madly in love with you?” Ruin asked.

“Love is too strong of a word for it. Lust for sure.”

The demon lord wrapped my arms around his neck, moving us to the slow beat playing through his club. “Does that mean you’re at least getting your needs met? Because if you’re not, I would happily volunteer.”

Heat sizzled down my spine at the sinful look the demon lord gave me as he dragged his finger down my throat, steering clear of my tattoo. If I wasn’t careful with my emotions, I’d draw Fane right to me. “I’m good, but thanks for the offer.”

“What can I say? I’m so charitable.” His devilish smile made my stomach flip.

“No one knows just how charitable you are.” If the ravens knew about Soulvation, they’d never accuse Ruin of harming a bunch of shifters.

He shrugged. “It’s just the way it has to be. I can’t reveal my work until the formula is finalized. Thanks to you and Fane, Venna and Mykel are dead. They posed a huge risk to my operation.”

A sour taste coated the back of my mouth at being reminded of inhaling Mykel’s essence.

Perry, Ruin’s assistant, moved through the crowd, stopping beside us. His blue gaze roamed over me, the lights bouncing on his short silver hair. “Hi, Tate. Has Ruin convinced you to move back in yet? We miss your adorable angry face.”

I flipped him off. “How’s this for adorable?”

“Perfect.”

Ruin chuckled and kissed my forehead as if it were the most normal thing to do. “What’s going on, Perry? I’m assuming there’s an issue if you’re interrupting my time with Tate before I’ve had the chance to seduce her.”

The high demon winced. “There’s a problem with one of the new employees.” Perry’s pierced brow arched. “In the lab.”

Ruin cursed under his breath. “Finding good help these days is hard to come by.” He reluctantly removed my arms from around his neck, kissing the back of each hand. “Stay as long as you like, Tate.”

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