Page 54 of King of Ruin

“Of course. But you know that I’m here for whatever you need.” He runs a hand over his bald head, revealing the sweat stains under the arms of his shirt. What was his name? Michaels? Has he landed himself in some kind of trouble? He shifts on his feet before he leans toward me. “Just say the word.”

He’s far more eager to make a deal than any other city inspector I’ve ever met. “I appreciate that,” I give him a nod. “But you can consider my gift as exactly that. A show of appreciation for our past and future dealings.”

He leans over, his brow drawing together. “I’d like to make myself as serviceable as possible.”

Definitely in trouble. “I’ll be in touch soon.”

And then I turn and leave, quickly making my way down the parking garage of the city building.

The second I’m outside I call Maddie. “Sweetheart?”

“Are you coming?” she breathes back.

“I’m on my way.”

“Thank you, Roman.” The way she says it cuts through me.

And I know I’m in trouble because I respond like a moth to the flame. I’m not supposed to run around solving this woman’s every problem.

Then again, maybe I’ve always been fighting my nature.

Am I going to hell? Committing myself to purgatory? Probably.

But either way, I cross the garage, my long strides carrying me to where Jack waits in the Honda Civic.

Climbing in, I close the door. “I need to get back to Maddie.”

He doesn’t hesitate, throwing the car into gear. “Everything all right?”

“The cat’s in labor.”

Jack hits the brakes, looks at me like I’ve lost my mind, and then presses the accelerator again. “The cat is a girl?”

“I’d say that’s a prerequisite for being in labor.” I scrub at the scruff on my cheek.

“And you’re going to assist in the birthing?” I can hear the judgment in Jack’s voice, the incredulity.

“Fuck you.”

“Actually, I’m hoping you’re the one getting fucked.”

That bristles my already frayed nerves. “Mason wants me to fucking foreclose on her house so that he can get back to his wife. So don’t start telling me I’m being irrational.”

“What?” Jack roars, practically taking the corner out on two wheels as turns onto the street. “I was mostly joking. Of course, Maddie needs help with the birth. How could she do it alone with her sight being that poor? But your brother can’t actually want you to steal the house out from under a blind woman?”

“He does.” But hearing Jack say it like that calms some nerves inside of me. “I’m not doing it.”

“Good. You need me to have your back? I’ll tell Mason to get a fucking grip.”

“He is your boss,” I point out.

“Like I need this fucking job. Your father was my best friend before he went off the rails. I stay around to keep an eye on you whippersnappers. Mason thinks he knows everything and he gets too big for his fucking britches. Now are you telling him or am I?”

“I am,” I answer. “But first…I have to go play midwife to a cat.”

Jack laughs long and loud at that. “Yeah. Good call. You treat that girl right. She deserves it.”

“Maddie or the cat?”

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