Page 44 of King of Ruin

There’s no rhyme or reason to them. and after fifteen minutes I start systematizing. Papers from the building inspector, plans from the architect, random paperwork from the city.

Which is how I find a sheet that makes the blood freeze in my veins.

Maddie’s address is at the top and as I scan down the page, my eyes close for the briefest second.

There are several years worth of back taxes that are owed on the property and there is a lien from the city because of them.

I look at the dates and I know, as her grandmother got sick, she lost the ability to make the payments.

There have been several recent payments, an attempt to remove the lien but it’s not gone.

“Mason,” I draw in a shaky breath. “Do nonprofits have to pay taxes in the state of Nevada?”

“Depends,” Mason answers. “Why?”

I set down the paper. “What about someone who is legally blind?” Mason went to law school and now develops real estate. These are easy questions for him to answer.

“No. Someone who is blind should be exempt. Again. Why?”

I sit down in Luke’s chair, a heavy breath falling from my lips. “The city has a lien on Maddie’s property.”

Mason instantly understands the full weight of my words. One, we could take the property in a second because of that lien. We’d have the city foreclose and then snatch up the property in foreclosure. Mason has the connections to expedite the entire process. But two…the lien is unfair. Maddie has been a full-time resident of that property her entire life and should be exempt. The taxes should never have been owed in the first place.

“Fuck me,” Mason mutters and then takes another long swallow. “What do you want to do?”

I shake my head. “I’ll file for the extension for the permits tomorrow. That buys me time.” And then, I don’t know.

I’d be the worst sort of asshole if I took that place from her. I’m not even buying it from her, knowing she should be able to keep it.

“Let’s get Luke back first,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “With any luck, Leo will find him tonight.”

Mason gives me a long stare and I know he wants to push. He doesn’t.

Instead, Mason and I leave again, going back to my apartment, barely exchanging a word. I make my way up the stairs and into the kitchen. The couch is all made up, and I shrug off my shirt, my pants, stripping down into nothing but boxer briefs.

But instead of laying down, I make my way into the bedroom. Is it wrong to watch her sleep? I don’t know.

I reach the edge of the bed and stop. Maddie has shifted, she’s now flat on her back in the middle of the bed, one arm tossed above her head.

The tank top has ridden up, revealing the smooth expanse of her belly, her tits so plump and round, I want to bury my face in them.

Her eyes flutter open. “Roman?”

“It me,” I say, my voice hoarse. “I couldn’t sleep.”

She scoots over, lifting a hand to beckon me into the bed. “Come.”

I don’t hesitate, climbing in next to her, wrapping my arm around her back to settle her body against mine. Her face nuzzles into my shoulder, her leg settling over my thigh, tangling between both of mine, as her arm rests over my chest.

She feels so fucking good and all the noise in my head quiets into one single thought.

This night has only just begun.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Maddie

I meantthe invitation as a comfort, a way to help Roman fall asleep. But the moment our bodies tangle together, I know.

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