Page 52 of King of Ruin

She sniffs. “No.”

“Did you know he was your brother?”

“Not until recently. Phineas was very angry at me, saying how both his children were in the house yet neither of us were able to do anything right.”

I can sense the disappointment in her voice. There’s a part of her that wants his approval. It poses the question if he had more of a hand raising her than he did his son. “And your mother. Did your sacrifice save her?”

More sniffles and the light thud of her leaning into the door answers my question before she does. “No. She’s been missing since the attack.”

I huff. Perhaps that’s why Kane has chosen to stay instead of taking the so-called freedom his father offered him. He must know there is no such thing with a man like Phineas. He will hold Kane until the very end.

Moments pass before Harlow sighs and her weight leaves the wood.

“To answer you, Harlow. Yes. I understand why you did it. I would have done the same for mine.” I press my forehead into the door, the wistful memory of my mother before her image was forever tainted in blood flashing before my eyes. “But I’d also be prepared to die for that choice.”

She doesn’t respond, and when her retreating steps fade into nothing, I turn to my bed to find the brown fur ball laying on her crossed paws. Those green eyes of hers bore into me with the same reservations they always have. But when I take a step toward her, she doesn’t move.

Another step. Nothing.

I crawl into bed, not disturbing her space as I fall onto my pillow. She curls back into the ball, only this time, she leaves a small space between us.

The feline must know I’m prepared. She won’t be able to hurt me this time without losing her own life in the process.

Smart girl.

I’m exiting the shower when I hear the door open. The heavy, steady steps indicate it’s Kane. A vexing mix of joy and annoyance surges through me as I lean into the open doorway and spot him bent over, scratching behind the ears of the cat.

“Funny how you give her a warm bed and she seems to forget her guard. I could kill her in a second and she wouldn’t be the wiser.”

He shrugs, glancing at me in his periphery. “Perhaps. Or maybe she knows she’s safe.”

“In one night?” I raise a questioning brow. “Seems foolish.”

Kane rubs her one last time before rising. His suit is all black, including his button down. A small gold chain hangs from his lapel, and clips to his jacket pocket. He exudes danger, and drips lust. The perfect lethal weapon.

He slips one hand into his pocket, while the other gestures to me. “Yet here you are, unchained, and didn’t ambush me the moment I walked through the door.”

My eyes narrow as he takes a slow, calculated step toward me. “Because thus far, I’m somehow still relatively safe. Besides, rushing from here will do nothing but guarantee my death and your father’s next breath. Can’t have that.”

Kane smirks. “Or maybe you know you’re safe with me.”

“You?” I scoff. “The man responsible for my current situation?”

“We’ve already discussed this. I am not your enemy. Never was. And I’m currently trying to get you out of here.”

“While also planning to take over the family.”

Unlike the surprise I thought he’d have once he realized I understood what he and his father discussed, he merely shakes his head. “Yes, I am planning to take over the family.Myfamily.”

My heart stalls in my chest, the room losing clarity as I soak in what his words mean. I’ve been well aware since the beginning how this would play out. The possibility of him doing what he’s saying. But hearing the words solidifies it.

I swallow around the burn. “You are my enemy.”

Again, he shakes his head. “Don’t. You know as well as I do, once Phineas and Sam are dead, someone will take over. If you tried, there would be nothing but bloodshed. There are people here that have been conditioned for years to hate you and see you as the enemy. There are also very sick men employed by my father who enjoy the human trafficking part of it. If you took it away, they would come for you, and any of the other guards that join you.”

Disgust churns my empty stomach. “So you’d continue to steal wom–”

“Don’t insult me. My affection for women goes beyond you and my family. I’d take over, and give those opposed the opportunity to get out.”

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