Page 76 of King of Ruin

For the first time since my capture, I feel as if I’ve met a match. Should Lucian be overseeing the transfer of power because he workswithPhineas, he’ll be the first we need to kill, or he’ll kill us.

Fortunately enough, I don’t have to worry for long before Phineas and a few others enter, and everything else in the room no longer matters.

My heart rate increases, fluttering my chest so quickly, it’s nearly vibrating. My spine straightens, my muscles tense, and a giddiness I’ve never known bubbles to the surface.

This is it. I’m so close now I can almost taste the sweetness of my vengeance.

A quick assessment of the other soon to be dead bodies in the room and I have to bite into my chest from laughing.

I’m unsure if it’s because Phineas is that blind, or perhaps that arrogant, but he’s only accompanied by three guards and a man in an ill-fitting suit. My guess is that he deals with Phineas’ money.

Phineas takes a seat at the head of the table, a wide smile planted on his face. I wonder briefly if I should glue his lips in the same expression after I rip his head from his shoulders.

“I’m so glad you could finally make it, Lucian. I nearly considered telling Alexi I’d use my favor for something else.” Phineas chuckles.

“Yes, well, I’m sure he would have told you that his business comes before yours, and that patience is a virtue.” Lucian breaks his gaze on me and opens his file. “After he ripped your tongue out, of course.”

A delicious shiver runs down my spine. Not only because I no longer have to worry about this man being a problem in ten minutes, but the professional dialect in which he dolled his threat.

Phineas purses his lips before chewing on them. He wants to make a remark, but must know better because he merely shakes it off with a guffaw. “That Alexi is something else, alright. Now, on to business.”

Lucian stands, unclipping a pen from his jacket pocket and slipping it into one of my cuffed hands. “There are a few different contracts here you’ll need to sign. I’ll explain each one in detail if need be and answer any questions you may have.” His eyes flash to my restraints. “Or if it’s easier, I can just point where to sign. The first few are standard real estate contracts, the next are assets, and the last one is forfeiture of your array of businesses. Are you ready?”

I nod. “Yes.”

Lucian gives his own nod in return before pushing forward the first paper. While he explains the document, I survey my periphery. Phineas is on his phone, no doubt sending a celebratory text, while his accountant types furiously on his computer. Every few seconds he checks something with his phone’s calculator before shaking his head and doing it again. The few guards that entered with Phineas are like statues, their gazes pinned on Lucian’s back as if they too feel the unseen power radiating off him.

Kane remains silent next to me, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together in small circles.

“Alright, if you’re ready, sign here.” Lucian points to a line near the end of the seventh page.

As if Phineas has only just realized I’m present he finally glances up at me. I hold eye contact with him momentarily, and a flare of fire rolls in my stomach when he smirks.

He thinks he’s won, and the moment I shift the pen to write, his lips stretch into a wide smile.

Perhaps I’ll pull his teeth one by one first. I mean, the possibilities will be endless.

The next few minutes go by in nearly the same manner. I’m read a synopsis of the page, I sign, the accountant types, and Phineas smiles. It goes on like this for over a dozen signatures and double that in initials.

But when Lucian files away the documents and grabs the last folder, everything in the room shifts. To the average person, nothing’s changed, but to people like me, it’s all different. Kane’s guards are tense now, the moment they’ve been waiting for minutes away. While Kane has stopped moving completely, only exchanging very quick glances around the table at each person. He’s cataloging, making sure everyone is where they need to be. My nerves start to dance, certainty sinking into my bones and fueling my racing heart.

Unsurprisingly, Lucian has caught on to the change as well. His eyes bounce from Kane to me as he examines our body language and explains the last document. It’s the release of Hearts and all my casinos.

Naturally, Phineas is clueless and near giddy as he looks to Kane. “Get us a drink son, then kiss your little whore there goodbye.”

My muscles involuntarily tense as Kane rises slowly. He pushes in his chair and rounds the long table to a small bar at the end. I can't help but watch from the corner of my eyes as he pours two glasses half full of liquor before walking back to his father.

Lucian points to a line, and I notice he’s breathing slower.

I sign.

Kane passes behind the lawyer and I catch a glimpse of the tumblers in his hands.

The air thins.He wouldn’t.

Lucian points to a smaller line. I think he’s told me to initial it, but with the blood rushing through my ears, I’m not certain.

I initial.

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