Page 17 of Made For Ruin

As if on cue, a figure appears at the other end of the hall. It’s a woman, her silhouette unmistakably feminine even in the grainy security footage.

“Can you get a better angle?” I ask Reign.

He grunts, adjusting the camera. The image sharpens, and I feel my breath catch in my throat.

It’s Lainey.

She’s a vision in a tight black dress that hugs every curve. Her honey-blonde hair falls in loose waves around her shoulders, and even through the screen, I can see the sultry gleam in her eyes.

“Jesus,” I breathe, unable to tear my gaze away.

As I watch, transfixed, a man appears beside Lainey. My stomach drops like a stone. It’s Axel. My son. What the hell is he doing here?

Lainey’s hand trembles as she reaches into her clutch, pulling out a thick envelope. She hands it to Enzo, her eyes darting nervously between him and Axel. The three of them huddle close, their lips moving in rapid, urgent whispers. I strain forward, wishing I could hear what they’re saying.

Enzo takes the envelope, his fingers curling around it possessively. He nods once, sharply, then turns on his heel and strides away. The camera follows him as he melts back into the crowd, leaving Lainey and Axel alone in the hallway.

As soon as Enzo’s gone, Lainey’s shoulders slump. She looks small suddenly, fragile in a way that makes my chest ache. Axel reaches for her, his hand hovering over her arm, but she flinches away.

“What the fuck is going on?” I growl, my knuckles white as I grip the edge of the desk.

Reign doesn’t answer, his eyes glued to the screen. We watch as Axel tries again to comfort Lainey, but she pushes him away.

She takes a few steps down the hallway, then pauses in front of one of the private rooms. Her hand hovers over the doorknob for a moment before she twists it and slips inside.

Axel stands there for a beat, staring at the closed door. His shoulders slump, and he runs a hand through his hair in frustration. Then he turns and stalks off toward the bar, disappearing into the crowd.

I lean forward, my eyes glued to the screen showing the private room Lainey entered. It’s dimly lit, all dark wood and plush leather. She sinks onto one of the leather couches, her body folding in on itself. For a second, she’s perfectly still.

Then the first tear falls, and something in me snaps.

I know it’s wrong. I know I should stay put, keep my distance. But seeing Lainey like this - so small, so vulnerable - it breaks something loose inside me.

My chair hits the floor as I stand.

“Marcus.” Reign’s hand lands on my shoulder, but I shrug it off.

All I can see is her crying alone in that room. All I can think about is getting to her.

I have no clue what I’m doing right now. I just know I can’t stand here and watch her cry. It’s crazy, reckless and every kind of stupid. But I don’t care.

Before I even realize what I’m doing I’m storming out of the security room and down the stairs while Reign calls after me. But I don’t stop. I can’t. Not when Lainey’s hurting.

I push through the crowds, shoving past people without a word until I get to where I know the private rooms are. I throw open the door to every single one until I get to the last room.

And there she is.

Lainey jumps off the couch at my entrance, spinning around with those big blue eyes wide and startled.

In three long strides, I’m across the room.

“Marcus?” Lainey backs up until she hits the wall, but there’s no fear in her eyes. Just heat and confusion and something that looks a lot like want. “What are you doing here?”

“What I should have done months ago.” My voice is unrecognizable. “Claiming what’s mine.”

Before she can respond, I crash my mouth down on hers.

The kiss is rough, possessive – everything I’ve been holding back. Everything I’ve denied myself. She makes a soft sound of surprise that turns into a moan as I sweep my tongue into her mouth.

---