Page 125 of Mine to Ruin

A sob wrenches from my throat.

“Kian.” My lips quiver, my heart splintering in my chest at the madness flashing in his eyes.

“Don’t open your mouth, I know those lips, and they tell the sweetest lies, but not anymore.” He lifts the bottle to his lips and takes a long gulp. It slips from his hands and the amber contents tip over, like my stomach tipping over with anxiety. His eyes are glassy, unfocused with both the alcohol and pain.

“It’s not what you think.” I trip over my feet but catch myself and say, “Let me explain.”

But how can he believe me, when from the picture it looks like we’re kissing and not me shoving him away.

“You and that traitor, you don’t exist to me anymore.” His facial features turn to stone. He shoots up and I get in his face.

This is a nightmare, but he will listen to me. He can’t believe that my love has been a lie. Hurt shifts to anger and I yell. “Kian, please.” I take his hand in mine and squeeze it. He looks at my hands gripping his, and for a second his expression softens, but then he rips his hands from me.

Kian storms away and I drop to my knees, ripping up the pictures.

I march to Brandon’s suite, and I knock on the door. When he opens, I shove the bits of photos into his chest.

“You’re coming with me and explaining this to Kian.”

“He deserved this. I did you a favor. Good men don’t threaten their own family,” he says with no trace of remorse.

“Why did you do this?” I shout and push at his chest. He stumbles back and sighs.

“It had to happen. I care for you too much to let my brother harm anyone else, not again.”

“So you kissed me, put this hoax together to separate us?”

Guilt contorts his face, and he sways on his feet.

I wipe at the corners of my eyes, and he nods as if to assure himself saying, “It’s better like this.”

“Brandon… I trusted you. I thought you were my friend.”

I grip his polo and he deadpans, “I’m your friend. You will thank me.”

He shuts the door behind him and prepares tea and I experience an out of body experience. I don’t care about his reasons. He will take responsibility for his actions. He hands me a cup of tea and I try to sort my thoughts, but my brain is a scattered puzzle.

I am mad at Kian for cutting me out so quickly, for distrusting me, while my own guilt laughs at my face, feeling vindicated.

“I hate to see you like this. He doesn’t deserve you. I just wanted to protect you.”

“Nothing will get better…”

I lift my knees to my chin, and peer outside the window to the sky where the sun reigns, alone and powerful enough to light the entire world. It reminds me of my sun, Kian, and the darkness of his absence cools my heart. My lids grow heavy, and I fall asleep, wishing so damn much I wake up to a reality where my world is intact.

Instead, Brandon shakes me awake, and my eyes flutter open to a veil of darkness covering the sky.

“How long did I sleep?” I scoot up, remembering everything and the renewed pain cuts another wound in my heart. “Kian—I have to find Kian. And you’re coming with me.” I shoot upright.

“After you,” he says, sounding excited while my world implodes.

I push myself up and get in the elevator.

My heart jumps in my chest; Kian has to believe me. Brandon will tell the truth.

Chapter 43

Kian

---