Page 63 of Made For Ruin

“Thanks,” I say quietly, squeezing his hand before pulling mine away. “I might take you up on that.”

He nods, leaning back in his chair again, but his gaze stays on me for a beat too long before he finally looks away.

The conversation shifts to lighter topics after that. Ruby starts rambling about some new guy she met at the gym and Axel tells us about his latest groupie conquest. But my mind keeps drifting back to my brother and whatever mess he’s inevitably getting himself into this time.

And then there’s Marcus.

Always Marcus.

I don’t know which one scares me more.

Later that night,I push open the door to the cabin, the familiar creak of the hinges like a welcome home. Marcus is already there, standing in the kitchen with his back to me, his broad shoulders filling out that flannel shirt I love so much.

He turns as I step inside, and his eyes lock onto mine with that intensity that always makes my stomach flip.

“There you are,” he growls.

Marcus crosses the room in a few strides, and before I can even set my bag down, his hands are on my hips, pulling me intohim. His lips crash against mine in a kiss that’s possessive and hungry, like he’s been starving for me all day.

He pulls back just enough to look at me, his thumbs brushing over my cheeks. “I missed you today,” he murmurs against my mouth.

My heart squeezes in my chest. Being here with him, wrapped up in his arms—it feels right in a way I can’t even begin to describe. Like coming home after being lost for so long.

I melt into him, my hands sliding up his chest to grip the front of his shirt. “I missed you too.”

“How was game night?”

“It was good. Ruby was her usual chaotic self, and Axel was there.”

Marcus’s expression shifts slightly at the mention of his son, but he doesn’t let go of me.

“Yeah? How’s he doing?”

I shrug, trying to keep it casual.

“He’s good. He just moved into a new apartment downtown. It’s really nice, actually. Lots of space and a great view.”

Marcus nods, but I can see the tension in his jaw. “Good. I’m glad he’s doing well for himself.”

I bite my lip, knowing I need to tell him the rest. “So, something else happened. Axel got hired to play at Lorena Castellano’s wedding. He invited me and Ruby to go.”

Marcus goes completely still. His hands tighten on my hips, and I watch that muscle in his jaw flex.

“Lorena Castellano. Enzo’s daughter.”

“I know what you’re thinking. But Marcus, she’s not like him at all. I went to school with her.”

“Baby, you don’t understand what Enzo is capable of.” His voice roughens. “The things I’ve seen him do.”

“Look, I get it. He scares you.” I touch Marcus’s face, feeling the tension in his jaw. “But this is his daughter’s wedding. Plus,Lorena was always super sweet in high school. She actually stood up for us when other popular kids were being mean to Ruby. She even came to watch Axel’s terrible garage band practice.”

“That doesn’t change anything about her father.”

“This could be huge for Axel, though. Lorena has like two million followers now. Her wedding is going to be everywhere.” I press closer, needing him to understand. “But if you really think it’s not safe, I won’t go.”

Marcus’s thumb strokes over my hip as he thinks. “Reign knows the owner of Fit Mountain Resort. We could probably get the security contract for the wedding.”

“Wait, really?”

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