Page 67 of Ruin
I run a hand through my damp hair. “It’s fine.”
Anastacia brings the last dish to the table that she’s set with three place settings, wine glasses and the food along the middle.
“Let’s eat before it gets cold,” she says.
The food looks as good as it smells. I’ve been spoiled with amazing food recently. First the steak from Lucian, now this. Ilove food, it’s just something that’s difficult for me to enjoy at times.
“You did say it was okay to have one glass of wine, right?” she asks, looking at Lucian.
“Of course, sweetheart.”
“It’ll be the first since being pregnant.”
“It’ll be just fine,” Lucian assures her, giving her a smile.
I hate the way his kindness warms me. I hate that I don’t hate everything he does. Most of all, I hate that when I first saw him here, I wanted to kill him, but now… I’m right back where I was all those years ago—wanting to kiss him and hold him and get on my knees and beg for his cock. I want more of what happened this morning, even though my body is still sore. I just want more of him.
Anastacia and Lucian make small talk about their lives and the baby as we eat. I listen but don’t chime in. Anastacia finishes her plate, and drinks only half of her wine. She said it’s making her tired and she doesn’t want any more.
“Leave your plate there. I’ll take care of it,” Lucian tells her.
“Thank you,” she says, giving him a tired smile before yawning. “I’m going to bed. If that’s okay.”
“Of course, it’s—” I begin, but am cut off by a knock on my door, which causes all three of us to look at it. That’s when I realize I don’t have my phone, meaning I didn’t get the alert for the cameras.
I get up, already in protective mode. I’d like to say it’s only for her, but I know it’s for him too.
If the Iron Runners show up here, they won’t be looking to only take her back. They’ll kill us all. It’s unlikely they’d knock on the door, but that could be part of their plan.
“Take her upstairs,” I demand, and neither of them hesitates to do as I say.
I pull a knife from the butcher block before going toward my door, cursing myself for letting Lucian distract me. If he weren’t here, I’d have had my phone.
When I get to the door, I tap the screen and let out a breath when I see Grizz standing there. I pull open the door, still brandishing the knife. He smiles, but it falls the moment he sees it.
“Whoa, I just came to apologize,” he says, putting his hands up.
“Get in the house,” I growl, stepping aside. He comes in, and I point the knife at him. “Take off your shoes.”
He nods quickly, then toes off his boots as I put the knife back.
“Damn, it smells good in here,” he says as he follows me into the living room. I go to the stairs and call up to them that it’s good to come down.
Grizz’s eyes widen when he sees Anastacia come down the stairs. He doesn’t pull his gaze from her for a second. I think there are little hearts there.
“Who is this?” he asks.
Which is when I remember she’s not supposed to be here. Coyote said it wasn’t our problem and I should have left her.It’s possible Grizz missed that conversation and truly has no idea who she is.
“That knife you just saw?” I say, causing Grizz to frown. “It’ll be up your ass if you say a word about it.”
His frown deepens as he looks back at the girl, his gaze going to her belly.
“Fuck,” he says under his breath. “I won’t say anything, man. Swear it.”
His gaze then goes to Lucian, and he frowns deeper. Of course he knows nothing about Lucian and I, so he has no reason to think this is weird. In fact, I think he’s met him a few times when we were younger at different events that Lucian was at, though I’m not sure he remembers.
His curiosity about Lucian lasts seconds before he goes back to Anastacia, and something crosses his face. A look I can’t quite place.
