Page 37 of King of Ruin

The limo turns down an empty street, lined with tall trees on either side. We reach a small guard booth where three men stand with guns leaning into their shoulders. Such a simple concept. If one really wanted to breach the gates they could merely take out the guys and push the simple button on the control panel inside. It’s something I’ve considered but without knowing what lies beyond the gate, posed too great a risk to chance.

One of the soldiers nods to the limo before allowing us to pass. I take note of the hallowed grounds, the tall manicured trees, the small duplex I’m sure is the grounds’ members’ living quarters, and the massive home. From my point of view, I can make out five floors of the mansion.

But then, everything else fades into the background. On the grand marble steps, next to the large iron doors, is a face I never thought I’d see again.

Maddy’s girlfriend.

Harlow paces back and forth, the loose brown waves not contained in her haphazard bun whipping around in the wind. Her pale skin has splotches of red where she’s continually wiped tears.

One of the guards grumbles under his breath as we pull to a stop, but quickly clears his throat when Phineas shoots him a threatening gaze.

My eyes find Kane, and in a moment I’m able to see he too is confused by her presence. I begin to wonder if this will be an entirely new puzzle or one that will make this entire situation that much clearer.

Phineas files out first, followed by the two guards. Kane shifts from the seat but my voice gives him pause. “I am no one’s whore.”

He turns, a smirk painting his face, and I fight the urge not to thrust my head into his nose this time. “Oh,mo chailín cliste, but you are.”

Without another word, he exits the limo with me close behind, another remark playing at my lips. Before I can utter anything though, Harlow comes into view. Phineas barely makes it to the top of the steps before she grabs onto his lapel, fresh tears streaming down her pale face.

“I did what you said. I gave you the damn codes. Let her go!”

Anger snaps in my chest while panic swells in my gut. I want to pay attention to the first thing that fell from her mouth, but the latter takes precedence.Let who go?

“I still need her,” Phineas answers.

Harlow’s head shakes back and forth frantically. “No, no. Y-you said if I–I. Oh god. You lied to me,again.I hurt my Maddy and for what?”

Snot and tears continue to stream down her face and at the same time red dots infiltrate my vision at the realization. Her Maddy.MyMaddy. The utter fucking audacity for her to open her mouth and say those words in staggering.

Not only that, but it was her.Her.

My mind works faster than I can keep up, new questions and more anger clouding my thoughts–my judgment.

I feign complacency and follow Kane up the stairs. Phineas brushes Harlow’s hands away but isn’t overly aggressive, which has me slotting the pieces together. She doesn’t just work for him–shemeanssomething to him.

Instead of waiting, I advance quickly, interlocking my fingers and latching them around her neck. All the men move together, guns clicking as they direct them toward me, and Phineas urgently barks to his son, but none of it matters as I tug on her earlobe with my teeth.

“The next time you see me, Harlow, it will be thelastthing you see.”

Her body vibrates against mine, the evident fear shaking her from head to toe. When I release her, I grant her a wink before lifting my bare foot and kicking her in the dead center of her chest.

Harlow flings backward, her body colliding with Kane who grips the outside her arms to keep them steady. With her next to him, I nearly wince at my blindness.

There’s always been something familiar about the girl, and now I see it. Her resemblance to him.

And he doesn’t even know.

Phineas grumbles, shoving his thick hands in his pockets. “Women. Such weak, fucking playthings. You though... Tighten your bitch’s leash, Ezekiel. She’s doing too much.”

After ensuring Harlow is physically well, he releases her, and scowls at his father. “She won’t cause you much trouble from my room.”

“Your room?” he scoffs, and though a sarcastic smile curls his lips, I see the trepidation creasing his eyes. “Are you mad? She’ll go to the cellar likeeveryunwelcome guest in my home. Consider yourself lucky I don’t punish her for her actions thus far.”

I bark out laughter, ignoring Kane’s look of disapproval. “Handcuffed and all, you wouldn’t be able to land a finger on me, Murphy.”

“So sure are you, girl. Can’t wait to shove that mouth full of–”

“Except you won’t.” Kane steps forward and grabs me firmly by the elbow. “Your word was that no one would touch her, yet I had to kill two guards who chose to disrespect those direct orders. Once you have a leash on your men, we can discuss her living arrangements.”

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