Page 93 of Mine to Ruin

“How did you know I was here?”

“Kendrick messaged me,” he says, sounding tired, his eyes set on the animal in front of us. “He’s the most powerful animal, the king of them all, and still he’s in a cage, locked up for our pleasure.” Kian’s words hold a certain personal note.

“At least he’s surrounded by lionesses,” I add and his eyes find mine, a tortured expression in them.

“He just wants one.”

“Why?”

“Because she is the one for him, the only one.”

He cups my face in his hands and says, “I love you, Ellia, just you.” He brushes his nose against mine, and adds, “Trust me, you own me.” His lips find mine, and he says through kisses, “Just you, only you.”

I cross my arms around his neck and rest my cheek against his. “I believe you. It’s her I don’t trust.” I scrunch up my nose and he pulls me to his side, our lips a breath away from connecting.

“I am sorry. I can live without my right hand, but I could not live without my heart.” He tips my chin up and says, “She got drunk. She…” His mouth presses into a flat line, and it’s clear he struggles to confide while I wait with bated breath. When he does, my heart grasps onto the hope of him opening up. “She has these episodes when she drinks too much, parties too hard––when she loses control.” His words ring in my ears.

I don’t even know what to say to that. I fidget with my hands and he covers them with his own.

“I would never rush out on you unless something truly needed my attention. I needed to make sure she was fine.” He is a giant, carrying so many responsibilities on his shoulders, a loyalty so great, it blinds him. It makes me respect the man he is, even self-sacrificing for the people he cares about. “I was both pissed and worried.”

I place my hands on either side of his face. “I will always try to understand your actions if you talk to me. That’s all I am asking.”

A breath brimming with relief parts his mouth and he leans into my touch. “I’m trying.”

My lips find his, and I whisper over them before I kiss him, “I know you are.”

The next day in my studio, I am humming away, working on a painting, when Brandon walks into the studio.

“Someone is happy.”

I clasp my hands together, my face muscles aching from all the happiness, and his lips curve into a smile.

I grab his hands. I’m so happy, I could shout my good mood to the universe.

“Thank you for being my friend. I love you.”

“I am happy you’re happy. Love you, too, little Picasso.” He taps my nose, and I snuggle into him.

Kian enters, and his eyes brew with a storm when he sees us.

Brandon says, “It’s not what you think it is.”

Of course it’s not, my heart breaks for Brandon. He’s always trying to please his brother.

“You’re friends,” Kian says, and I breathe, relieved, then run to him.

He pulls me into him and looks into my eyes with conflict in them. “I just wanted to steal a kiss.” His voice lacks the usual warmth, and that deep longing.

“See you later,” he deadpans and leaves, but the tormented expression on his face nags at my happy bubble.

Chapter 28

Kian

The construction delay of my newest hotel is the last straw at the meeting with the developmental team. I snarl at them, and they dip their heads but say nothing.

Melanie eyes me, worried. “Have you lost your mind?” she mouths.

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