Page 85 of Made For Ruin

I straighten my suit jacket and attempt to smooth my rumpled hair in the mirror. Lainey comes up behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist and resting her cheek against my back. Our eyes meet in the reflection.

"We should probably get back out there before someone comes looking for us," she murmurs, though she makes no move to let go.

"Probably," I agree, covering her hands with mine. "But I'm not done with you yet. Once this reception is over, I'm taking you home and keeping you in my bed for the rest of the weekend."

Her cheeks flush prettily at the promise in my words. "I like the sound of that."

Reluctantly, we disentangle ourselves and exit the powder room. Lainey's hand fits perfectly in mine as we make our way back toward the reception hall. She still has that just-thoroughly-fucked glow about her, cheeks pink and eyes sparkling. I can't resist pulling her in for one more kiss before we rejoin the crowd.

"How did I get so lucky?" Lainey murmurs, leaning into my touch.

A soft chuckle rumbles through my chest. "Funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing."

I slide my hand to cup the back of her neck, thumb stroking the soft skin behind her ear. "I love you so much, baby."

"I love you too, Marcus." The way she says it, so open and earnest, sets off a burst of warmth in my chest.

We're just about to part ways when a voice behind us stops me cold.

"What the fuck?"

I know that voice. I've heard it raised in anger too many times to count. Slowly, I turn to face my son.

Axel stands a few feet away, his face a mask of fury and betrayal.

His gaze darts between Lainey and me, taking in our joined hands, her mussed hair, my loosened tie. I watch the realization dawn, quickly followed by disgust.

“Laineyis your new secret girlfriend?" Axel spits the words at me like they're poison on his tongue. "My ex? My best friend? Are you fucking kidding me right now?"

I step forward, putting myself between Axel and Lainey.

"Like I said before. It's complicated, son."

"Complicated?" Axel lets out a harsh laugh. "No, what's complicated is you being a sick bastard who's fucking someone barely older than your own kid. And my best friend, at that! What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Axel, stop." Lainey moves to step around me but I throw out an arm, keeping her behind me. "It's not like that. Your dad and I have something real."

Axel's eyes widen before narrowing into slits.

"Something real? Are you serious right now, Lainey? He's old enough to be your father! He’smyfather! How could you do this to me?"

“Lower your voice, son,” I growl, my fists clenching at my sides.

Inside, a war rages. The tactical side of my brain is already running scenarios, analyzing the situation and trying to find the best way to handle the impending fallout. But the emotional side, the part that's still getting used to allowing myself to feel, is reeling.

I always knew the revelation of my relationship with Lainey would be a turning point. I anticipated Axel's anger and betrayal. But confronted with the reality of it, the disgust and accusation in my son's eyes, it hits harder than any physical blow.

"Axel, I know this is a shock." I keep my voice even, trying to diffuse the growing tension. "But Lainey's right, this isn't some casual fling. What we have is-"

"I don't want to hear it!" Axel cuts me off with a violent slash of his hand. "I don't want to hear whatever bullshit justification you've come up with for this. You've crossed a line, Dad. A major fucking line."

"Axel, please." Lainey's voice wobbles, and I can tell she's on the verge of tears. "Just let us explain."

"Explain?" Axel’s voice rises a full octave. "What could possibly explain this? You're my best friend, Lainey. How could you do this to me?"

"I never meant for this to happen," Lainey pleads, her voice breaking. "I didn't plan on falling for your dad."

"But you did," Axel says bitterly. "You both did."

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