Page 46 of Bound By Ruin

Too late to win her heart before her ex-husband shattered it to pieces.

Too late to stop my brothers from claiming her for themselves.

Too late to protect her from their wicked intentions.

Because the moment she and Ruin tumble together in the middle of the net, I already know that she’s theirs. She has been since the moment I met her in my bedroom; only then, I was too blind to see past my prejudice over who I thought she was to learn who my brothers had really fallen for.

Someone beautiful.

Someone damaged.

Someone thatcan’tbe mine.

I’m not a fool—I’ve seen the question in Rage’s eyes when he catches me watching her. He wants to know how I’m feeling towards her. I haven’t forgotten that punch to the face a few weeks ago—he won’t let me hurt her, and for good reason.

I can be a real asshole.

But I catch myself in these moments with her—electrically charged, dangerous escalations that push my limits—and know that if given the chance, if my strength wanes, if she says anything to tip the scales between us—I’ll fold.

Completely.

I take a breath as the sound of Celia’s laughter, bright and loud and so full of life, fills the room. She’s riding on the adrenaline high from the fall, and it’s not me who’s there to catch her—it’s my brother, the biggest grin on his face as he rolls on top of her.

Thatis why I can’t pursue Celia Monrovia.

Because I would be taking away from my brothers’ joy.

Ruin reaches for a knife that is no longer attached to his hip. I whistle, pull a hidden switchblade from my boot, and flash it in the air over my head. Once he’s caught on, I toss it towards him, and he catches it midair. Then he’s carving through Celia’s bindings, quickly cutting away the silk wrapped around her ankles and thighs to spread them apart.

I swallow hard as her laughter quickly turns into moans, breathless little sounds that go straight to my heart.And my dick.I squeeze my cock through the front of my dress pants, shuddering at the sound of Ruin’s fingers inside of Celia’s wet pussy.

She’sgushing, and although I can’t see it from this angle, I can hear it—the way she desires Ruin as much as she desires the others.

It’s fucked up that I’m so goddamn jealous about it.

I scrub a hand down my face, but I can’t turn around. I can’t walk away. My feet move on their own, bringing me closer to them, the carnal need to watch her unravel clouding my judgement. This isn’t consensual; she doesn’t know that I’m here, but I can’t look away.

I want to be in my brother’s place.

Badly.

The net digs into her skin, no doubt marking her body more than the silk ever could. It’s only a few feet over my head, dipping in the center where they lay, giving me a perfect view of her ass, her shoulders, the arch of her back—and of Ruin’s face staring at me from between her thighs. His nostrils flare, but he doesn’t say anything, still burying his fingers inside of her slick cunt. The sound is even more exquisite from up close, and her voice—tiny cries pierce the air with each breath she takes, making my cock swell even harder.

My earpiece clicks as either Rage or Ruin catch on. “What’s that sound?” Rage asks. “Where are you?”

I stare up at Celia and Ruin, the flash of jealousy for my youngest brother quickly turning into possessiveness to keep this moment to ourselves. We don’t need a bigger audience.

“Than? Did you find Celia?”

“I bet Ruin has her,” Rebel sighs dreamily. “Man, I’d pay to see that.”

“Are you with them?” Rage’s voice is thick with tension. “Are you watching them?”

A bead of sweat drips down my back. Am I that easy to read?

“I know you saw us the other day,” Rage continues, louder. “I know that you want her, too.”

Rebel chuckles. “You’re not exactly subtle.”

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