Page 96 of Ruined

Blake wouldn’t have ended up in the hospital again if it weren’t for us. And I’m not sure how Jace can act as if nothing happened. The first night we were here, he could barely look at her until I convinced him to get into bed with us.

Now, suddenly, it’s Jace and Blake. As it should be. I wasn’t strong enough to break the damn zip ties, but she was. How fucking worthless am I?

I’m supposed to be a hitman who hunts down people for hire, and that somehow ended up with me protecting a mafia princess that I fell in love with. But how is she supposed to love someone who can’t even protect her? Jace saved her multiple times on their road trip. And all I’ve done is fuck her like a whore and belittle her.

But how am I supposed to let her go? She’s the only thing that makes sense in this fucked up world. And now we just have to take her home, act as if she hadn’t just barged her way in.

Even the thought of taking herhomemakes my blood boil. Her home isn’t with her father and shit family, it’s with Jace and me. But how am I supposed to convince her that she’s meant to stay with us?

Rolling my neck, I groan as it cracks. Blake sleeps in the backseat of the car as we drive to some private jet Dimitri has. Not that I should be surprised—he’s rich and powerful, of course he would have a jet.

“You’re thinking awfully hard over there,” Jace mumbles.

I don’t say anything. He wouldn’t understand. I know he loves her too, but he doesn’t hold guilt like I do.

“Come on, what’s going on in that big brain of yours?” he asks, glancing in the rearview mirror.

“I think you should take her back to her family, I’ll just head home.”

I hadn’t thought about it until the words left my mouth. But the more I think about it, the more I need to distance myself from her. She’s got herself so far wrapped around my brain I can’t think straight.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Jace growls, turning into a mini airport.

“You heard me,” I mutter under my breath. Turning my head towards the window, I don’t look at my best friend. Jace has a way of convincing people to do things, and I won’t fall victim to it.

“Are you even going to think about this or even talk to her about it?” he asks.

“No, she gets no say in this.” I shake my head.

“I think you’re making a mistake,” Jace says, driving across the airstrip towards the jet. But I can’t see it as I’m making a mistake. Blake is better off with Jace. It would be better if I’m no longer in the picture. Sooner or later, they both will see that.

“Just come with us to her family,” Jace finally says, pulling up a few yards from the jet. Glancing behind me, I search over Blake, watching her shoulders move as she breathes. Her brown hair tied back, her hood down, no longerhiding herself. From the first time she walked in that cabin, she was scared, but a fiery cat, and now she’s finding herself again.

“Fine,” I growled. “I’ll make sure she gets back safely and then I’ll leave then.” I don’t mention that I won’t let Jace come with me. He can stay with her there and protect her.

Shoving my way out of the car, I don’t look back before heading towards the plane stairs. Climbing them, I barely notice the two pilots, as I make my way inside. My eyes zero in on the small bar. I might not be one to drink, but today seems like a good day to start.

I need to get Blake out of my mind.

A noise jerks me awake, finding myself surrounded by nothing but darkness. Only the small fireplace produces any kind of light. Reaching forward, I try to rub my forehead, but my hands don’t move, let alone my arms. Glancing down, I find my hands tied behind my back.

“Laia, Grams?” I call out. I strain my ears, listening for any movement, any sound, but nothing happens. Only the popping of the fireplace.

Fear fills my chest as I twist and yank against the restraint. Nothing works.

“Should’ve taken the deal,” that familiar voice fills my head again. I watch as someone steps into the living room, the gut wrenching hits me as I look at the man that sold our unit out.

My body jerks, twisting as I try to ringhis neck. They’re all dead because of him. I promised Jace I would kill him if he ever showed his face again.

Joe stalks into the living room, a devilish smile planted on his face. I want to smack that look right off his ugly mug. And I swear I will the moment my hands are free.

“You really should have taken the deal.” He laughs, pulling on a rope I hadn’t noticed in his hand. I watch as a kicking body comes into view.

Only instead of Laia, my little sister, it’s Blake.

“No,” I force out. My throat closes, fighting harder to get out.

“Please,” I beg. “Don’t, take me, please, don’t hurt her!” I yell, thrashing against the chair.

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