Page 60 of Ruthless Bonds

“He even encouraged my love for photography. He’d sneak me out late at night so we could explore the woods or abandoned buildings. With him, I wasn’t afraid of anything, because he made me brave and strong and independent. He taught me to see the beauty in the darkness. He was my everything, and then one day, he was just gone.”

Kreos remained silent as I let out a shaky breath. I never talked about Jameson with anyone. In a way, it was nice to confess my sins.

“He’s dead because of me.” I let Kreos wrap his arm around me, even though I’d just told myself not to fall into his trap so easily.

“I got really sick on my eighth birthday. A stomach bug, of all things. He’d planned this huge party for me, and we had to cancel everything. I was sodisappointed. Nothing was making me feel better. His boss from the movie theater called him and asked if he could cover someone’s shift. Since I was sick, he said yes. He gave me this envelope and told me not to open it until he got home because it was a surprise.”

Kreos handed me the envelope, and I traced my finger over my name.

“An hour later, his boss called. Jameson never showed up at work. I was too young to fully grasp the situation, but I felt the panic in my mother’s voice, saw it in the crowds of people that filled our tiny apartment. Then, late at night, a police officer showed up.”

My body trembled as I recalled every single detail about him, from the bandages wrapped around his arms, to the smell of soot on his uniform, to the jagged gash just under his right eye. At nine years old, I’d known something wasn’t right about him.

“They found his bike and wallet in a burned-out drug den. The officer implied Jameson had been there to buy drugs, but we knew better. The fire destroyed everything—including any trace of my brother.”

I inhaled sharply, anger simmering deep inside of me. “Then the officer insisted on searching our apartment. He came out of Jameson’s room with a bag of drugs he claimed he found under his bed. But I knew that was a lie because I’d searched there the night before for birthday presents.

“In one night, my brother was gone, my mom shattered into a million pieces, and life was never the same.” I placed the envelope gently back into the box and shut the lid. “These are his last words to me, and I’m not ready to say goodbye yet. So yeah, that’s why I disobeyed you.”

“I’m sorry,” he murmured and moved my hair behind my ear. “I’m sorry you’ve never gotten the closure you deserve.” His eyes burned into mine, and I hated what I saw on his face.

Pity.

“Don’t be sorry. It’s not like you’re responsible for his death.”

“Do you want me to look into it? I can attest that the police in this state are more than corrupt. If there was something going on, I’ll find out about it.”

I stared at him. Really stared. I’d spent almost eighteen years haunted by the ghost of my brother. Not knowing what truly happened to him had eaten me alive, and the guilt? It had never gone away. And now this man, who was supposed to be the monster everyone was afraid of, had offered to dig up the past to ease my suffering.

Was I ready for that? To face the truth, no matter what?

“I’ll think about it.” I offered him a small smile, his arms squeezing me tight. The heat from his chest warmed me, and I sighed, relaxing into him. After a few moments, I pulled back. “There’s something else you need to know about yesterday.”

I didn’t know why I hadn’t told him about Agent Greene. Really, it should have been the first thing I mentioned. “I know Grig and Tash told you Agent Greene was in my apartment, but they didn’t hear what she said.”

His face was a blank mask, no emotion showing as he listened.

“Well, this is kind of your fault, since you wouldn’t let me use my phone.” I tried to stand, but hegripped me to him.

OK, maybe I didn’t need personal space after all.

“Solene called her, worried something bad had happened. Agent Greene checked whatever FBI database they use, and apparently they know that we’re engaged.”

His face didn’t change expression, he just nodded. “What else did she say?”

Why did I get the feeling he knew she’d propositioned me to get evidence against him? Even worse, why did I feel guilty knowing I wouldn’t tell him that part? “Um, I think she said you were a monster in a suit, but that’s about it.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “No need for concern. It’s handled.”

“But Kreos, isn’t that a problem? How could they know about us already? Does that mean they’re watching you all the time? Is it safe?” I dumped my worries in his lap, a knot tightening in my stomach.

“I have people on the inside. The FBI can’t touch me, no matter how hard they try. And the only reason they know we’re engaged is because of this.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue box.

My breath caught as he opened it, revealing a diamond that glittered unlike anything I’d ever seen. He slipped the ring on my finger, the weight of it unexpected.

“There,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine, “now it’s official.”

He wrapped his hand around the back of my neck, weaving his fingers into my hair. My eyelids fluttered closed as he pulled me to him, his lips meeting mine. They were soft, yet demanding; tender yetpossessive. For a moment, I let myself get lost in his kiss, tasting the desire on his tongue.

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