Page 30 of Ruin

“No!” I snap. “Rule number one, no names. You made it fucking clear. I was a number.”

Cain rubs his eyes. I was happy he never put me in the white room. I think I begged him not to put me in there. The white room was a fucked up room which is nothing but white, with lights flashing on and off nonstop, and music so loud I’m sure my ear drums would burst. I have no idea how he lived there for so long.

“Well, someone knows his name, and they’ve got his number. The Pit has a leak.” Miles is the first one to say what I’m thinking, but I’ve been down there. The rules are crazy. No one would break them.

“Do you know the names of all the men he killed?” Dad asks Cain, because I don’t know anyone’s name down there.

“I do. Lincoln and I will look into it.” The man has the best poker face I’ve ever seen. I mean, I’ve gotten better and can hide things, but there will always be that one moment when I let my mask slip and show what I’m thinking.

“So what now?” Mason asks.

“What’s rule two?” Cain asks me.

“Never show fear, never let them think you’re scared,” I tell him, and look at my mom, who’s watching me like a fucking hawk.

“Then go about your-”

“What?” My mom cuts Cain off. “So he can be a walking target?” Mom’s voice shakes as the words escape her, and I smile at her, letting her know I’ll be safe.

“Jane, he’ll be fine. We know things like this can happen, and we always stick together. Our boys have trained; they’re the best they can be. I trust Cain to look over them.” Dad tries to comfort Mom because he knows getting her back on the jet will not be easy, but I’ll throw her on there if I have to.

“Mom, I promise I will call every day to let you know I’m safe. Plus, Cain will check in on me every second of the day. I know how to look out for signs. Cain taught me well down there.” I kneel in front of her, and she places her hand on my cheek, and I place mine on top of hers. “I’m good. After being down there, I don’t think anything in this world is going to scare me.”

“But you’re my baby.” A small smile appears on her lips as I smile.

“See, I told you all I’m the baby.” My comment makes Mom laugh, and my dad slaps the back of my head. “They need to know you love me the most.” I lean in and give her a kiss on the cheek. “Trust me.”

She gives me a nod, and I smile as I stand back up and face everyone.

“You-” Cain points to me. “Come to the office tonight. We need to talk.”

He shakes his head at me while messaging on his phone.

“I followed the rules-”

“Don’t be late!” Cain walks away, and my dad follows him out.

“You’re in trouble,” Miles jokes and I tell him to fuck off.

“Watch your back, little brother. You call me if you need me to hack someone to find out any information. I’ll do it, no matter the time.” Miles hands me my phone back and sits next to Mom, as I stare at the messages I got last night.

I know my brothers will drop anything if I call them, and so will Cain. But we can’t fight anyone until we find out who it is. I killed men down there, but also made a lot of enemies, too. The list might be bigger than I want it to be.

NINE

TRIXIE

15 yearsold

It hurts today. So much more than yesterday.

I shouldn’t have fought him; I should have just let him do it. But no. I had to fight.

Now I have a black eye and a cut lip. What’s the reason for it? What excuses am I going to make up this time? I told the truth last week, and my dad shouted at me because the bitch told him I was acting out and wanted the attention. Bitch.

No one listens. What is the point of talking? I’m silenced when I talk, so I might as well stay silent.

I feel his lips on my shoulder, and his hand on my ass. “You get me hard so fast. I’m so happy you’re mine. I’ll never let anyone else have you.” I push his hand away from me, and he grabs a handful of my hair and pulls my head back, making me scream out in pain.

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