Page 26 of Mine to Ruin

Kian releases me, and I sway back into my chair, a feather at the whims of gravity. Everything, from his rigid posture to eyes burning with seriousness, says he’d do that. He runs a hand through his hair and stands up. He buttons his suit jacket and leaves me stunned into silence. I follow him with my eyes as he rushes to his black car.

When my legs decide they can hold me up, I leave the store, but not before catching the server fanning herself. Great, I will never be able to come to this shop again.

Chapter 9

Kian

Ellia ignites feelings in me I’ve never experienced before and it terrifies me. I can’t even name what those feelings are, but my soul burns with them. I’m losing my mind over this woman. Instead of working, I’m checking out a donut store because she loves them. On my way to the car, I call the hospitality manager.

“Mr. Reyes, how can I help you?”

“Make sure a Donut Paradise shop is added to the culinary selection.”

“Right away, Mister Reyes.”

I hang up and get in my car.

My phone rings, and the name of the woman who raised me as if I were her biggest burden flashes on the screen. I grit my teeth and pick up.

“Is she any good for Brandon?” she asks without greeting.

“What are you talking about, Jillian?” Just saying her name leaves nothing but a putrid taste in my mouth.

“He talks about Ellia all the time.”

I grip the wheel and the car swerves before I rectify.

She continues, “He also told me you’re interested in her. Step aside. He deserves to be happy.”

I breathe in and out; she doesn’t deserve my anger. “Anything else?”

“No, glad we cleared that up.” She disconnects the call and I throw my phone on the passenger’s seat.

That woman has some nerve. She did nothing more than push me out after carrying me for nine months and now has the audacity to demand I let my brother have the one woman I am interested in.

I speed up like a madman and reach the underground garage of the hotel seething. I stalk toward the basement and enter the training room with rage coursing through my blood. Everyone steps aside and I head toward the men’s locker room.

When I come out, I go straight to the punching bag and pounce on it until it smashes off its hinges. Every motion stills, every sound drops. My pants echo in the now dead silent training area. The fighters eye me from the corners of their eyes.

First rule of fighting, don’t let emotions get the better of you and I’m a volcano of brooding.

Jason approaches me.

“Only if you fight me,” I snarl.

“You’d kill me,” Jason replies, shaking his head. “What’s wrong, man?”

Kendrick circles me, lines of worry etching his forehead. “Pull yourself together,” he says and clasps my shoulder.

“Just one thing for me...” I mumble, and I throw my head back with a frustrated groan.

“You’re Kian fucking Reyes. If you want her, what’s stopping you?”

“I can’t do this to him.” I sigh. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for my brother.

“Then you’re a pussy,” Jason says, but then he purses his lips. “No, a pussy is fucking hard. You’re a limp dick.”

My arm shoots forward, but he avoids my punch, and Kendrick holds me back. My former trainer, Dirk, sends me his death glare from the corner.

---