Page 84 of Ruined

“Don’tRykerme. She deserves to know. Jace, here, wants to run after her,” he growls, throwing his hand towards Jace.

Swinging around, I cock my head to the side, waiting for him to tell me the truth. Because there is no way Ryker is right about this.

Well,I sign.

Jace looks up to Ryker.

“Tell her the fucking truth,” Ryker’s voice rises. He’s getting more upset by the minute.

“Don’t say it like that!” Jace bellows.

I raise my brow, confused and hating the hurt that is seeping into my heart. Did something happen between Luna and Jace? Was I just blind, and not wanting to accept the fact that they were once something?

“Blake, let me explain…” Jace trails off, reaching towards me. I shake my head, stepping back. I thought they could have been mine, but fuck, how wrong was I?

“Just spit it out,” Ryker says somewhere behind me. But all I can focus on is Jace, and that sad expression that he thinks is going to save him.

“Luna called and something happened, I’m not sure what. But she screamed and now I can’t reach her.” Jace sighs.

I blow out a breath. This is what had them so worried? I glance over at Ryker, scowling at him for making it sound ten times worse than it actually is.

So, are we going to go see what’s happening?I sign.

“Absolutely not,” Ryker growls, shaking his head forcefully.

Why the hell not? Jace’s friend needs help. He should go and help.I glance over my shoulder, making sure Jace knew we were talking about him.

I’m not taking you to see Luna, let alone out there, when someone is hunting you down,Ryker angrily signs.

“Enough!” Jace bellows, slamming his hand down on the counter. “Not understanding her is one thing, but I refuse to stand here while the two of you fucking talk about me behind my back!”

I bite my bottom lip, glancing down.

Ryker suddenly stands in front of me, squaring his shoulders. “You want to yell at me, go right ahead. But don’t youevertake that tone with her.”

I can’t see Jace over Ryker’s shoulder, so I peek around. Jace glares at Ryker only to stop when he sees me peering around.

“You’re right, I’m sorry.”

Grabbing Ryker’s shoulder, I pull him back.

We should help her—

“No, we’re not,” Ryker snaps.

Grabbing his chin with one hand, I shake my head.

“I can’t risk them finding you,” Ryker whispers.

Oh, my heart. My lips tip up in a small smile, cupping his cheeks. How did Ryker go from hating me and wanting nothing to do with me, to now this?

“Don’t ask me to do this,” he says, his voice so low that I can barely hear him. Poking my bottom lip out, I give him those puppy dog eyes. And I know I got him the moment he lets out the breath he’s been holding.

“Jace,” Ryker growls.

Jace steps closer, standing next to us.

“One sign of trouble and we’re out of there.”

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