Page 96 of King of Ruin

This time the sweet, tart smell of pineapple wakes me, accompanied by the bed sinking from Kane’s weight. I use entirely too much force to open my eyes. I’ve never been so exhausted before. It’s like I finally let go of something I’ve been carrying for far too long, and now my body is forcing me to rest. To heal.

Kane repositions me to where I’m pressed into his shoulder and my legs are draped over his thighs. I lay my head just below his collarbone and my hand finds his chest. I don’t want him to think I’m weak. That I need him.

“I can handle myself.”

He chuckles low, kissing me on the top of my head. “I know, baby. Now eat.”

I try my best to ignore the warmth that expands in my chest as he sets the bowl in my lap. I begrudgingly pick up the fork, stab the pineapple chunks, and slowly empty the dish.

It isn’t nearly enough to satiate my empty stomach but after a few bites, the room feels a lot more stable. He waits quietly, accepting the empty bowl before handing me a bottle of water, which I also take my time drinking.

“Better?”

I nod.

He gives me a lopsided grin, his dimple making a brief appearance, and snakes his arm under my legs.

“You don’t need to carry me. I’m perfectly capable of walking.” My words come out labored and fatigued, and it only makes Kane’s slightly curved lips grow into a full smile.

“Yeah, I know that too. But this is probably the last time I’ll ever get to be this close to you. So, will you please just let me have this last moment?” His other arm wraps around my back. “Is that alright with you?”

A fierce burn replaces the comfortable warmth. The idea that the next time I’ll see him will likely be from across a desk at a meeting does something weird to my heart. It’s an ache. A clench. Something deep behind the muscle that coerces me to give him exactly what he’s asking for.

“But your shoulder.”

“A flesh wound.” He stands, lifting me close to his chest and turning for the bathroom. “And I ran into Cat while getting your fruit. She’s going to take a look at it after I get you squared away.”

“Squared away,” I repeat.

It’s not a question but he elaborates anyway. “I came to make sure you were okay. I’m going to help you get cleaned up and get you some breakfast, then I’ll be on my way.”

“You risked me shooting you just so you could get me breakfast?”

He smirks, pushing the door open wider with his foot. “And I have a gift. Something like a token of goodwill.”

My brows furrow. “You should have started with the gift. Where is it?”

Kane nods toward my bedroom. “Near the dresser.”

I twist enough to see a box I hadn’t noticed before resting on a towel. It’s a brown packing box no bigger than a foot tall, but it’s the collection of red on both the bottom and the fabric that catches my eye.

My face snaps back to him. “Is that your father’s head?”

“And heart.”

My eyes flare and my heart flutters. My mouth opens and closes twice to say something–anything–but I’m cut off by his chuckle.

“I’ll assume that means you like it.”

“I do,” I breathe.

“Good.”

He sits on the edge of the tub, repositioning me in his lap as he turns on the faucet. Part of me still wants to push him away, tell him I don’t need him to take care of me. But the longer I spend with this man the more I realize it’s not about meneedinghim. Iwanthim.

I like that he stood by my side while my screams reached hell. I like that he picked me up and carried me all the way back to the estate. I like that despite my selfishness, our differences, and me shooting him, he’s still here.

Not because I’m a job assigned by his father. Not because he’s trying to save his sister and mother. Not because I’m his prisoner.

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