Page 50 of Ruined

“I might not have asked her for permission, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t get it.”

Rolling my eyes, it’s such a Ryker response.

“And while we’re on the topic of our girl, we need to figure out what’s going on. I’m not going to sit here feeling like I have to watch over my shoulder every second. I want to know who’s after her, and why. I want to know every detail about her.”

I’m nodding my head in agreement.

“I only know the basics. Three years ago, she was taken with her brother’s boyfriend and held for over twelve hours. I was told after that she became mute and hasn’t even muttered a word since. I think Gabriel and her hold a tight bond. But the head of the Italian Mafia, Antonio, wants to marry her in some bringing the families together bullshit. You know, mafia families and all their weird rules.”

“Well, figure it out,” Ryker growls. Turning around, he grabs a coffee mug and pours coffee, sugar, and cream. I cock my head to the side, wondering when he started drinking his coffee with cream and sugar. I open my mouth to say something but stop when I hear the bedroom door open. Blake steps out, her leggings and sweatshirt back in place, her hood up. Frowning, I hate that it might feel like we’re moving two steps forward only to move four steps back.

The sound of the back door slamming shut has me turning around, only to find Ryker gone. Letting out a sigh, I know I need to figure out what’s going on with him. As well as figuring out Blake. I need to know what happened to her, what she went through, but I have a feeling it’s going to be like pulling teeth.

“Come on, let’s eat.” I motion to the kitchen island. My eyes stay glued to the cinnamon rolls, the ones Ryker made for her.

Blake sits on the side of the couch, her legs stretched out as she reads some book she got off the shelf. Walking over, I grab her calves, picking them up before sitting down and placing them on my lap. Blake tenses, trying to pull her legs off me.

“Don’t.” I shake my head. I give myself two seconds before pulling her socks off, knowing she’s going to be embarrassed and most likely have a panic attack. Which is exactly what she does. The book is forgotten, tossed to the floor. Her hands grab at my wrist, trying to stop me.

“Blake, breathe.” I face her. Still pulling her socks off, I toss them onto the ground. “Tell me what happened,” I whisper, my hands refusing to leave her ankle.

She shakes her head as tears well in her eyes.

“I can’t help if you don’t tell me what happened, Sunshine. And I want to help. I want to protect you, but I can’t do that if I don’t know what happened to you.”

Blake’s hands move, reminding me I have no idea what she’s saying.

“I don’t kn—”

“She’s calling you a stupid asshole.” Ryker appears next to me. Glancing up, Ryker crosses his arms over his chest, staring over at Blake. “And now she’s calling both of us one.” He chuckles.

Ryker walks around the table, sitting in the chair across from us. Turning my attention back to Blake, she matches Ryker, arms folded over her chest, narrowing those eyes at us.

“Blake, we want to help,” I try to reason with her.

“There’s no we in this, it’s only Jace,” Ryker hisses out, leaning back in his chair.

“Ryker,” I growl.

His eyes flicker to Blake, watching as her hands move once more.

“What’s she saying?” I ask, hating even more than I have no idea how to sign like her or Ryker.

“Well for starters, Blake, that’s just fucking rude.”

“Ryker, just answer me.” I’m going to lose my patience with them already. I can feel it. Blake has a temper on her, and she likes to stab those that don't listen to her or whoever is too close. Ryker likes to push people’s buttons and watch them squirm. I’m not looking forward to watching them fight and play stupid games back and forth.

“Whatever, she’s saying it’s none of our business about what happened to her and it’s none of our concern to protect her.” Ryker translates for me.

Rolling my eyes, I press my fingers into her heel, slowly trying to massage her feet, hoping she wouldn’t notice.

“Oh, sweetheart, if you really think I give a damn about what happened to you, you’re strongly mistaken. Jace is the only one who gives a fuck about you.”

“Ryker!” I yell.

“What? She’s nothing more than some mafia princess who can’t handle the real world.” He shrugs. “The sooner the fuckers find her, the better off me and you will be.” With that Ryker stands up, leaving Blake even more upset than she was when I was pulling her socks off.

“Don’t listen to him,” I start, unsure how to calm her down. “He struggles with his emotions, and right now he doesn’t know how to deal with you being here.” I know it’s not the best answer, but I hope it’s enough for her.

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