Page 48 of Ruin
“Do what?” he asks innocently.
“That,” I growl. “Don’t make me be a go-between for him just because you think I can make him my puppet.”
“Can’t you?”
“I don’t fucking want to!” I shout.
Kaison just blinks at me. “I have enough shit going on, Kolt. I can’t take this girl into my house. Cora hasn’t been there for long. We’re figuring shit out.”
Right. Kaison’s new girlfriend. Forgot about her.
“Fine. I’ll figure it out.”
I turn to walk away, but he grabs my arm.
“Is he the reason?” Kaison asks.
“Reason for what?” I spit out, having no idea what he’s talking about.
I hate that Kaison always wants to talk. I hate that he always asks me questions, like he wants to get to know me, like he actually cares. Why is he like this all of a sudden?
“The reason you fell apart all those years ago.”
That shocks me hard enough that I see the recognition in his eyes. But I quickly steel my face. I scoff and shake my head. Then I walk out the door.
Lucian is leaning against his car. It’s running with the windows closed, so I assume the air conditioner is on. It’s hot out. And a flash of heat runs through my body when I see the way his shirt sleeves hug his strong biceps, that has nothing to do with the weather.
The years have been good to him. Somehow, he’s even hotter than he was back then.
“Where am I taking her?” he asks once I reach him.
“To your house.”
He huffs out a laugh. “No, Kolton, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
His eyes narrow. “I’m fine giving you money and running to you for help to make up for what I did, but I already said I will not be your bitch boy.”
I grit my teeth, hating that I have no response to that. Hating that I don’t want to fight him on it. I just want to submit and fucking give in because that’s when things are easy. I want him to take the reins, to take control, tell me what to do. To let my mind be quiet for just five fucking minutes.
When I don’t say anything, he sighs, pushing off his car and coming to stand closer.
“I’m doing a lot of work in the house. It’s messy and dirty, and dusty. It won’t be good for her or the baby. She needs a clean, safe, and quiet place. That’s why she can’t come with me.”
I know what he’s suggesting. It’s the same thing Kaison said. I hate people in my house. Especially in places I haven’t already made peace with people being. I can’t tell her to stay in the living room and not go anywhere else, that’s crazy.
When Jeremy came over, he knew the living room was as far as he would go. He walked through the kitchen, the hallway, and the living room. Sometimes he would use the bathroom downstairs, off the kitchen, but that’s it. Not once did he ever see my bedroom or any other part of my house.
My brother has been over a handful of times, and I only let him look around once. I cleaned the entire thing three times after he left.
“I can’t let someone into my house,” I say, hoping he just gets it.
His face softens. “I know it’ll be hard for you, but it’s the right thing to do. She needs you, Kolton. You saved her, and now you need to see this through.”
I flick my gaze to hers through the window. It’s easier to put my walls up and not care about her. She’s just another person.
But the baby…
