Page 112 of Orion Ruined

Milan checks his watch and leaves his cup on the kitchen counter. “Our time’s up, my little rat. Until tomorrow.”

“Wait, can we talk? Milan–” I start, but he’s out the door, and I’m left in the kitchen and the silence is buzzing too loud in my ears.

My heart is in my head, beating so fast I think it will explode.

I sit down at the table, trying to think through all my options. But there are none. It’s either them, or Rosey. And I came here for her. She’s my family. She’s my everything. They’ve become my family, too… but who am I without Rosey? No one. One half of a human. And who am I without Orion? Logan? Kai? A broken soul.

“Maisy!”

Orion’s guttural voice startles me. I jump, and wipe my tears hurriedly.

“I’m here.” I get down on my knees and start collecting the broken pieces of the cup off the floor. “I dropped my coffee.”

“Thank God! The connection to my security cameras wasn’t working. Glad you’re okay.” He sees me kneeling on the floor and chuckles. “I’ll have to start charging you for the cups.”

“It slipped,” I say sweetly.

He sniffs the coffee pot. “Did you make more?”

“How’d you tell?”

“It smells different. Can I try it?”

“Sure. Please do. Although I’m not sure I like it.”

I watch him from the floor as he pours himself a cup and tastes it. His face contorts, but I know he’s trying not to make me feel bad. I don’t like Milan’s revolting coffee either! I want to shout.

“It’s… not for me, darling.”

I push myself to my feet and throw the broken shards in the garbage. “I don’t like it, either. Here, let me pour it down the sink. I’ll make a fresh one.”

I take the pot and stand at the sink, waiting for it to empty. Orion wraps his arms around my waist from behind and presses our bodies together. I lean back into his chest, allowing his scent to overwhelm me. Maybe that’ll help me decide. I’m torn. I can’t see myself not being with him, and yet, the mere mention of my sister awakens the fighter inside me. I will save her.

“Mmm, last night was amazing. You were divine. My goddess,” he mumbles against my skin, nuzzling my neck and gently grinding his bulge against me.

“Yeah, and then you left me. All of you.” I force a chuckle, and move away from his arms. “Let me make the coffee.”

He tilts his head to look at me. “Are you okay?”

Now is not the time to scrutinize me. I add a few scoops of his coffee to the filter. “I think my period’s coming on, that’s all. I’m a bit moody.”

“Sure. If that’s all it is.” He kisses me and slaps my ass. “I have to go. I only came to check on you. I see you’re perfectly fine on your own.”

“Yeah. See you later.”

~

All I’ve been doing today is thinking, planning, and avoiding Orion. I had a good ten hours before I saw him again, and they were too short because my brain not only went into overdrive, it got jammed. Pacing up to the top of the stairs and down to the basement, over and over, with my head down and mind racing, trying to make sense of it all. Yet, I still couldn’t figure anything out.

All my life I knew what and who I was after. Kill Milan, find Rosey. Not necessarily in that order. I woke up with that thought, I went to bed with that thought. All my life, up until the moment I met Kai, Logan, and Orion. They complicated my life. They made it better, but instead of having peace of mind, I’m bewildered. They were supposed to protect me, help me find Rosey, and then… and then Rosey and I would be on our way to Mexico. Or somewhere farther, where nobody would find us. The way things are now, I have my boys on one side, and Milan and Rosey on the other.

I could have threatened him with the DVDs, but they were stupidly given to the police. I could’ve gone to the media and exposed him. There are always one or two journalists willing to risk their lives for fame. Why didn’t Orion listen to me?

Orion got back an hour ago and he was ready to play, saying he wanted to get ahead in our game before Logan and Kai join us later tonight. He and I have played from time to time, not full-on sex, but he’d tease me, degrade me, praise me, and by the time Kai and Logan would join us I’d do anything to get their love. Who would’ve thought that words like those would rouse the needy, deprived little girl in me?

And I didn’t want anything more than to have sex with him tonight, but seeing Milan up close and personal has put me off. I must figure it out. I could never follow through with what he’s asked me to do. Betray my boys? Never. But could I, for Rosey?

So, I denied Orion. He didn’t like it, but put it down to my imminent period. I even complained of belly cramps. Had to make it believable.

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