Page 23 of Ruin

Mimi decidedit would be good to attend. Even though I didn’t try too hard to convince her, she caved easily. With her hand in mine, she dragged me across the damn ballroom floor towards the bar on the far side. People mingled around the place. I knew none of them except for Mimi, our guards, Ryo, and Wolf. I just didn’t know where the last two were.

“Vodka and tonic,” Mimi ordered and glanced at me. “What are you in the mood for?”

“Beer, anything on tap,” I told the waiter. I’d have one or two, but I didn’t trust the people around me, so I’d stay sober enough to take on anything that came our way.

Mimi handed me the beer before we moved off to the side of the bar to make more room for others. Mimi smiled and waved at a few people but stayed by my side.

“You can go mingle,” I told her.

She shook her head. “I’m fine here.”

“Mimi, enjoy your night. Go talk to people you haven’t seen in a long time. I’m good on my own.”

She looked up at me. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, honey.” I wouldn’t tell her I’d keep an eye on her, as I wanted her to relax. She needed to unwind. I didn’t like the looks some people threw her way, though.

“All right, but only because I saw an old friend. I won’t be gone long.”

I grinned. “Sweetheart, you ain’t my keeper. Don’t stress about me.”

Her hand reached out, and she squeezed my arm. “I won’t be long.”

“Stubborn,” I muttered as she made her way over to a group of women around her age. Some hugged her, welcoming her back with warm smiles. A couple stood back and glowered. Fucking bitches.

Glaring at them, I took a sip of my beer and moved back further so I hit the wall behind me. The women caught my stare, said something to Mimi’s group, and walked off. Good. After another chug of beer, I glanced around the place. People danced, talked, some kissed, and that was when I saw Wolf.

Holy fuck.

My pulse picked up speed.

He’d dyed his hair.

Instead of black, it was now blond with dark roots showing through.

Jesus Christ, it suited him.

My gut twisted.

I dragged my gaze away from his hair and noticed he stood with a woman in his arms as he threw his head back, laughing at something she’d said.

He shook his head as he dipped to kiss her on the cheek, then neck.

My gut tightened more.

I really had to get my stomach checked.

Snorting, I forced my gaze away and swallowed back the last of the beer before leaning closer to the bar to place the empty glass on it. When I straightened, a sultry voice said from my other side, “Hello, I don’t think we’ve met.”

A gorgeous red-haired woman stood before me in a silky black dress and heels. She lifted her hand in front of her. I wasn’t in the mood, but I wasn’t a total prick either. I took her hand and pressed my lips briefly to it before I dropped it. “Hey, darlin’, name’s Ruin.”

“Elise.” She smiled as her gaze ran over me, then bit her bottom lip. Usually, my dick would wake up with that type of attention. I knew she was interested, but the fucker was fast asleep.

I shifted my gaze over her shoulder, checking on Mimi. She was still talking and looked happy. It was good to see.

“How do you know Ryo?” Elise asked.

“Through Mimi,” I told her, looking back to her. I wished I had another drink to put up with this small talk.

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