Page 70 of Mine to Ruin

I ball my fists, but my voice remains as even as always. Long ago, I learned to control myself. I would never go that low again. “I don’t care.”

“I remember a time when you did.”

I laugh sardonically and answer. “Old people tend to reminisce.”

“You piece of shit. Show a little respect.”

“Don’t upset me, remember where I stand and where you stand. I step over cockroaches like you under my shoe.”

I hang up before he can spew another insult at me, rubbing my temples, and groan when I get another call. It’s Brandon this time.

“What?”

He sighs and asks, “Is Ellia near you?”

“This is the first and last warning. If you try something funny with her…” Experience has taught me that my little brother enjoys getting my attention using extreme measures, like sleeping with women I’ve slept with. It didn’t bother me then, but the thought of him with Ellia has me feeling murderous.

“I like her, and even care about her. I warned her to stay away from a fucking wreck like you. But you won, so let’s move past that.”

“Grow up.”

“I did when you disappeared.” His words hit me hard, and I massage my solar plexus.

“She is in the bathroom, I’ll tell her you called.”

“Wait, don’t hang up yet. Have you seen the newspapers?”

“Who has time to deal with that crap?” I ask, my annoyance reaching an all-time high.

“On the front page there is a picture of you with her—and Melanie.”

“And?” I groan and get out of bed.

“Everyone thought you’d end up with Melanie, and if you think she will let this slide, you are a moron.”

“Let me deal with Melanie.”

“You can’t keep them both, brother.”

I hang up. What a fucking start to the week!

Kendrick calls to inform me about the same bullshit; it’s like everyone cares about how this will affect my woman. It’s not like I am with Melanie and Ellia. I will always care for Melanie, but what I have with Ellia, I can’t even put into words. One is a friend, and the other is my woman.

Besides, I never promised Melanie anything. She took, and I gave her what she wanted until it wasn’t enough for her, and we ended our sexual agreement. It worked for both of us, and it's not my damn fault none of her other relationships did. She is good at being my VP, and as long as she does her work right, we are fine.

I need a dose of Ellia, so I slip from the bed and find her in the bathroom. Our eyes lock in the mirror as she applies mascara, and she gulps at the unmistakable hunger reflected in the mirror.

“Be quick.”

It’s like she senses the darkness lurking in me, and what does she do? She eases me, accepts me while I bend her over. This woman owns me. I am a fucking animal, but for her I’ll become domesticated.

Later when I’m in my office, Jason calls me.

“I have found four more victims. This Robert guy has videos of them, this is why they stayed quiet.”

That piece of filth. I drag a hand down my face, trying to calm my rage.

Jason adds, “I will gather more information. He will rot in prison. Don’t dirty your hands, he’s not worth sabotaging what you built. He will pay.”

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