Page 239 of Ruin My Life
But now? Now she’s alone with him somewhere out there.
And the longer she’s alone, the smaller the chance I have of finding her alive.
“Damon, what happened?” My mother’s hand clamps around my arm, her voice thick with worry.
“I’ll explain everything,” I say, too fast, leaning down to press my lips to her temple. Her warmth grounds me for a heartbeat—just long enough to remember why I have to move. “But I have to find Brie first.”
Except… I don’t know where to start.
Block Island isn’t big, but it’s big enough when the clock’s bleeding out. And if he’s hurt her—if she’s losing blood—if she’s already—
Think, damn it. Think.
“Damon.”
Chavez’s voice slices through my spiral.
“What?”
He points past me—toward the back window. “The house at the other end of the cliffs… it’s on fire.”
My head snaps to the glass.
Smoke.
Thick, black, coiling up through the winter air.
That house is supposed to be empty.
Brie.
Ithasto be her.
“Chavez,” I bark, already pivoting for the door. “Stay here. Guard my mother with your goddamn life.”
He nods once, hard, planting himself in front of the door—gun raised, locked in. “Nobody’s getting past me.”
“I’ll call the fire department,” my mom shouts, rushing for the landline.
I’m already halfway down the steps when Chavez calls after me. “Damon!”
I spin—each breath ragged.
“Be careful.”
I nod once.
Then I run.
I throw myself behind the wheel of the SUV—jam the key in—crank the engine. The tires scream on the ice before catching, the whole chassis jolting as I rip a U-turn and gun it straight over frozen grass.
This vehicle was never meant for off-roading. But I don’t give a fuck. I barrel through the uneven slope between the two properties, field grass and snow slamming against the bumper, the engine roaring under me like a war drum.
The house comes into view—
It’s fully engulfed. Flames claw up the siding, spit sparks into the sky, crawl across the roof like a living thing hungry for blood.
Two cars are parked outside the house. One to the side—Connor’s Audi. The other is a silver sedan in the driveway—someone else’s.
