Page 4 of Lords Of Ruin

His ice-like eyes look like they're melting in the dim lighting, and I almost take a step forward to see them more clearly. “I-I was looking for something.” I stutter.That’s fucking great Will just keep talking.

“Looking for what?” He growls, and his eyes open wider, so I look away from him because something about Vincent’s gaze makes me feel like he could take my soul away, but when my eyes flicker over his shoulder I meet with the stormy gray eyes of Damien.

My mouth is agape, and now my throat feels dry, and my eyes are shifting across the room desperately. Vincent looks over his shoulder at Damien who is still standing in the hallway staring at me, arms crossed with metal chains in layers over his chest and groin. His blonde buzzcut has an intricate, swirling black design on the right side and he looks like a demon ready to drag me to his lair. My thighs shift as I feel tingles running across my skin, and a buzzing around my center.

Vincent clicks his tongue at me, pinching my chin and dragging my gaze back to his. “Look at me little devil, why are you here in my room, touching my jewelry case practically naked?”

I lick my lips, and Vicent’s eyes drift down to them, a growl rising in his chest. “Don’t tease me when I have to punish you.”

My eyes widen. “P-punish me?”

“Mmmhmm.” Cast’s playful tone drifts into the room, as he slides past Damien and makes his way inside. His tan skin glistening in sweat, and eyes blown wide, with excitement brimming around the edges. “Your friend already spilled.”

Cast jumps onto the king size bed, covered in a gray comforter with black sheets peeking out.

I scoff, pulling my head away from Vincent’s pinching grip. “No way, Jasmine would never.”

“She would if I threatened to rip that pitiful trash bag and make her walk out of here naked.” Cast shrugs, leaning back on his arms, and running his tongue along the inside of his mouth.

“She’s not afraid of showing off her body.” I snap, narrowing my eyes on Casts smug face. “She’s the girl who skinny dipped at Asher’s party last month.”

“Really?” Vincent smiles, leaning away from my personal space. He taps a finger against his chin, and turns towards the door. “She has a killer body. Maybe I should go get her, make her talk.”

My stomach twists sharply, a bitter taste rising in my throat as the word escapes before I can reel it back in. “No!”

“No? Then tell me little devil why are you in here.” Vincent levels his eyes with mine, and I notice Damien is leaning against the archway, closer in the room.

I don’t open my mouth, and instead look down at the platform leather white boots I am wearing, rubbing the sole into the ground.

“She’s trying to steal boys.” Cast laughs, and my eyes shoot up to look into his crazed expression like a cat who just caught a mouse between their teeth. “Oh, did I mention I threatened toslice up that body of hers with a knife? She was going to leave here naked and bloody.”

I feel sick. Jasmine is probably scared out of her mind and long gone now. I would be too. I can’t blame her.

Damien snorts as he steps forward, closing the door behind him with a soft click. He leans back in a chair across from me, his expression cold, detached. "Not surprising she's a thief," he mutters, the first words he's bothered to say tonight, each one laced with disdain.

A surge of rage catches me off guard, burning through the humiliation tightening in my chest. My nostrils flare as I meet his stare head-on. "I need the money," I spit out, my voice raw and trembling with anger.

The room falls silent for a beat, the tension thick enough to suffocate me. Cast’s wild eyes dance with a dangerous kind of excitement, and Vincent’s gaze sharpens like a blade. He stands a little too still, that predator smile tugging at his lips, so dark and unreadable.

"And what are we supposed to do about that, hmm?" Vincent finally speaks, his voice low, dangerous. He takes a step forward, his smile never wavering. "Stealing from us isn’t exactly the smartest way to solve your little problem, is it?"

Cast tilts his head, like a cat toying with an injured bird. “You know what happens to thieves, don’t you? I’m dying to see what we should do with you.”

I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest. “I didn’t have a choice,” I murmur, my voice cracking under the weight of desperation. “We’re going to lose the house. My dad is drowning my medical bills.”

Vincent’s faux pout returns, and leans in closer than he did before. “And what are we supposed to do about that, little devil?”

“Be decent and help me.” My eyes dart to each of the guys' eyes, but they offer no sympathy. “You and Cast have so much money you can spare a few thousand.”

Damien snorts again, but I ignore it. Cast jumps up on the bed, with a mad look on his face. “A few thousand?!”

“I need at least twenty thousand.” I whisper. “Just to keep our head above water, if not we have to sell the house and I need to move to Minnesota with my Aunt and her four kids.”

Vincent clicks his tongue again, curling one of my pink strands behind my ears. “No, no, no. You can’t leave me.”

“How much do you need to keep your house and pay off your medical bills?” Cast asks, leaning forward on his knees.

I keep my eyes on Vincent as I answer. “One hundred-fifty thousand dollars.”

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