Page 59 of Ruined

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The first thing I notice is my back and ass are on fire. The second thing is my arm is still wrapped around Jace in front of me. And the third, someone is behind me withtheirarm around my waist.

“Shh, go back to sleep,” Ryker whispers in my ear. Rolling my eyes, I do close them, but sleeping is the last thing on my mind. No, instead I want to know why Ryker is behind me, cuddling.

“You’re not going to go to sleep, are you?” he murmurs.

I shake my head, feeling his chin on the top of my head. Of course, I can’t sleep. What the hell does he think this is? I know what he did last night, I might be some mafia princess, who was sheltered most of my life and then tossed to a bunch of monsters that ruined me. But that doesn’t mean I’m stupid. Ryker did what he wanted to me,not that I minded.And because the emotions ran too high, he handed me off to Jace.

“I seem to be in the giving mood, ask me what you want?” Ryker utters.

Wiggling my arm off Jace, I scoot back some so I can use my hands. I don’t think or question why he wants to talk now. I’m too afraid he’ll change his mind.

How do you know ASL?

Ryker’s eyes watch my hands before he peeks over at me. While I’ve been close to Ryker before, I feel as if this is the first time I’ve been able to actually see him. On the outside, he’s your typical scary guy, with tactical gear, a mask, a red flag of sexual desires. But one look into those hazel eyes, and I know he’s just hiding.

“I had a sister, Laia. She was born deaf.”

Had.Past tense, I don’t have to ask to know what he means. She’s dead.

Are you always going to wear a mask around me?

Ryker’s eyes shift as if he’s frowning, but just as soon as it appears it’s gone. He had expected me to ask more about his family. And as much as I want to, I have other questions that I have a greater chance of getting answered.

“I’m not sure.”

Are you ugly?

That makes him laugh, and I want to beg to see him smile.

“I’m not sure, no one has seen my face to tell me if I’m ugly or not.”

You took your mask off last night, didn’t you? That’s why you had me face forward.

Ryker nods. “Alright, enough questions, pet.”

Sighing, I turn back towards Jace and bury my face in his back again. Ryker scoots closer, squeezing my waist. “Hang out with me tomorrow. Maybe I’ll be in the mood to answer more of your questions.”

It’s not long before Ryker snores into my ear and for the first time ever, I feel safe. Jace in front of me and Ryker behind me.

When I wake up again, both Jace and Ryker are gone. I stretch my arms above my head, the sharp pain from my back and ass shooting down to my toes. Fluffing my pillow up, I roll onto my stomach facing the side window. Growing up, there were days when I was able to look out the window, dreaming of the moment I could walk away from the mafia life. I know this isn’t a life someone would choose. I wouldn’t. I was born into it, and I hate it. I hate that I hate it. Dad and Mom have their moments, all parents do. But at least Tobias and I weren’t abused. We had food and water. We were taken care of.

So why do I hate it so much?

Nope, I won’t think about it any longer.I refuse to dwell in the boohoo parade I’m having for myself. Easing off the bed, I slip on a clean pair of leggings and swap out my sweatshirt for a long sleeve. Glancing down at myself, I bite down on my bottom lip. My skin itches to put the thing back on, to hide under the hood. I know they’ve both seen my neck, they’ve seen the scars.

Before I can think too much about it, I pull on a pair of socks and swing the door open. Jace stands in the kitchen at the stove. Looking around, I don’t see Ryker. Not that I had expected him to stay or hell, even be around.

Pulling a stool out, I ease down, wincing a bit when Jace peeks over his shoulder at me.

“Good morning, Sunshine.”

Good morning,I sign back, hoping he would remember.

“I’m thinking we should have sign language lessons each day,” Jace announces turning back towards the stove. Touching the corner of my head, I sign,Why?While it’s been nice having Ryker know ASL, I’m so used to no one taking the time to understand or learn it. I know Jace had mentioned it before, but I thought that was him just trying to be nice. He wouldn’t talk about it twice if he wasn’t serious, right?

Not saying anything, I watch Jace pull three plates down, splitting up whatever he was cooking on the stove. From the looks of it, pancakes, and then he pulls fruit out of the fridge. Pressing my lips together, I can’t lie and say I’m a little hurt that there are no cinnamon rolls. Every day since we’ve been here, I’ve had a fresh cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll waiting.

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