Page 87 of King of Ruin

It takes every ounce of strength I possess not to sink to the floor again. On trembling legs, I carefully make my way into the closet so that I don’t bump into anything else. I’m going to be covered in bruises.

Not that I care.

As much as I’d like to retreat to my home and never leave again, I don’t even know how long I have before I’m tossed out.

I stop again, drawing in a ragged breath that breaks into a sob. I am the broken bird. The girl with no brains, just bashingher own wings as she flutters into danger with no way of escape. I rushed into this mess with Roman with my foolish heart right on my sleeve.

Gentle hands touch my arms. “Please, Maddie. Don’t go. Not like this.”

“Why not?” I whisper. “I’ve got nothing left to give. You’ve taken everything.”

His hands pull away like I’ve burned them. Is he hurt? That’s rich. “The city is not taking your house.”

That makes my breath stop in my lungs. “The city would beg to differ.”

“I won’t let it happen. There is no way.”

My throat burns from the tears and I shake my head swallowing down the lump. “Don’t make me promises you won’t keep.”

“I’m keeping this one,” he rumbles. “I’m keeping all of them. The one where I promised to care for you. Love you. Your house. The animal sanctuary. All those promises are yours.”

I shake my head, his words soothing a bit of my hurt. “How could I ever trust you again?”

“I don’t know,” he answers back. “But I’d like a chance to try.”

The tears have made my already-poor vision so blurred, I can’t see a thing. But I hear the hangers rustle. And then I feel his hands on my calves.

“Rest your hands on my shoulders and step into the dress. I’m holding it out for you.” I do as he commands because I don’t know how else I’m getting dressed.

But I can tell by the feel of the fabric on my foot that it isn’t the dress I wore on the date. It’s a soft stretchy cotton that glides over my skin.

“Roman,” his helping me is not helping. It only confuses me. His care has always confused me. Then again, I’m pretty sure hetakes care of people even when he doesn’t like them. I think of what he told me about his mother last night.

More tears are falling, but I try to swallow them back as I allow him to close the buttons at the bust. Lucia will be here soon and the faster I’m outside, the quicker this will all be over.

He taps my foot and slides on a ballet flat. And not the ones I came in. “This isn’t the clothing I asked for.”

“I know, sweetheart, but you’re upset. You should be comfortable.”

I let out a huff of frustration. “That wasn’t your decision to make.”

“Other foot.” I click my tongue but place a hand back on his shoulder to let him place the shoe on my foot. The really annoying part is that both the flats and the dress are very comfortable and the clothing itself is soothing some of my raw edges.

As are his hands on my skin.

I’ve gone silent, I don’t even know what to say. Thank you? I hate you? I shake my head. What a mess.

Reaching for my hand, he tugs me out of the closet and back into the bathroom. “I’m going to brush your hair.”

“Stop.” But my voice lacks conviction. “I don’t want your help.”

“I know what I’ve broken,” he says close to my ear. “And I know you might never forgive me. But let me fix the house first. Right now. Please.”

My mouth opens and closes. I don’t want anything more from him. Then again, this is a problem he made. It seems fair to let him fix it. “Fine.”

“When Lucia gets here, we’ll all go to Kincaid Enterprises.” He clears his throat. “And just so you know. I didn’t keep the address of my place from you to isolate you. I wanted to keep you safe from the Vendettis. They know Lucia, so telling her was asafety threat. I have always wanted to keep you safe. And you are safest with me.”

I shake my head. “I can’t stay here with you.”

---