Page 88 of King of Ruin

“And what about Thomasina?”

My chin notches. “She comes with me. Lucia can help me care for the sick kitten.”

“I won’t argue.” He starts brushing my hair. “I can’t stop you from leaving. I won’t. But just know, you’ll see me camped outside your house until this is all done.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep my heart from leaping in my chest. He can’t mean it.

And I shouldn’t be pleased by his words. But some part of me is…

Hair done, he turns away and walks out of the bathroom. I follow, unsure of what to do with myself in the quiet aftermath. Cry more? Yell? Leave and wait downstairs?

He shrugs on jeans and one of the collared shirts I love too much, leaving it untucked.

We’re down on the sidewalk two minutes later, just as an Uber pulls up in front of the building.

“Maddie!” Lucia cries, jumping out of the car. She crashes into me, her arms wrapping about me.

I bury my face in her neck. “I missed you.”

“Me too,” she answers, squeezing me tight.

“Hey man,” I hear Josh say. “I’m Josh Anderson, Lucia’s husband.”

“Roman Kincaid, nice to meet you.”

Lucia pulls back. “This isn’t a social call, Josh. Don’t talk to him!”

“Luc,” Josh soothes. “Let’s not get carried away. We don’t know?—”

“It’s all right, Josh. I deserve all of Lucia’s anger.” Roman clears his throat. “Let me pay for the Uber. I just asked Maddieif all of us could go to Kincaid Enterprises to make certain that Maddie’s house remains in her care.”

“Is that what you want?” Lucia asks me. I can hear that she is still furious.

I nod. “Then we’ll have to come back here and get Thomasina and the kittens.”

“Seriously?” Lucia lets out a long breath. “This is not how I break up with men.”

I’ve been around for a few of Lucia’s breakups. And calmly leaving a situation is not her style.

I find myself holding back a smile as I think of the guy she dated before Josh.

“What kind of breakups do you go for?” Roman asks.

Lucia squeezes my hand. “I’m more of a throw-their-shit-out-the-third-story-window kind of girl.”

“Glad we didn’t break up,” Josh mutters.

I never expected to smile in this moment but there it is. The smallest grin pulling at my lips.

Because Josh isn’t wrong.

And having my friends here has added some perspective. Everything seems less crazy and more normal.

Even Roman’s behavior. Roman lied to me as he tried to balance his business and the loss of his cousin and best friend. He manipulated me too. And it was inconsiderate, bordering on mean.

He told me yesterday that he needed me to teach him how to use his heart. His words suddenly make sense and my jaw clenches as I realize something else.

I’m not going back to Roman’s place. I’m going home. But Roman might actually need me as much as I’ve needed him.

---