Page 65 of Sins of Leo

At the order to kneel, she dropped fast and hard, stomach tight. The gun pointed at her head only made her fear worse. A woman joined the man holding her hostage, a petite blonde, who pursed her lips as she stared at Ruth. Those same lips curved in a smile as she looked past Ruth, most likely to Leo, whom she could hear splashing as he heaved himself from the water.

Another mercenary yelled, “On your knees.”

Leo thumped to the ground a few feet from Ruth, wearing a scowl and placing his hands over his head, still holding the relic.

“Hello, husband,” said the small blonde.

At the title, Ruth tensed. Hold on. This couldn’t be?—

“Kylie.” Leo’s low growl confirmed it.

“Surprise.” The woman offered a malicious smile.

“You have a lot of nerve showing your face after what you did.”

“Ah, yes, faking my and Olivia’s deaths. I have to say that wendigo truly proved to be a blessing, as it gave me the best excuse to leave.” Kylie sounded quite pleased with herself.

“If you were unhappy, you could have asked for a divorce,” he growled.

“Why do that when we were never truly married? The chaplain I insisted we use? Fake. Not to mention, I already had a husband.” At the admission, Leo recoiled, and Kylie laughed. “Oh, how dumb you were then and now. Did you really think we met by chance? Everything was planned from the moment we met. I just didn’t expect you to be so traditional, or for it to take so long. Thankfully, once you gave me what I needed, I was free.”

The crease on Leo’s brow deepened. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Still a fool,” Kylie said with a sneer. “One dumb enough to think I could love you. As if I’d want someone so uncouth. You were just a necessary chore to get me to this point. I’ll admit I didn’t expect you to be the one they’d send after the artifact. My understanding was you completely fell apart when you thought I died.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. Where’s Olivia?” he snapped.

“Close by. She insisted on coming. Claimed we couldn’t complete the mission without her, and now I see why. The brat must have known you’d be the one to find the relic.” Kylie’s lips twisted with annoyance. “She’s a handful, just like her annoying father.”

“She’s a child,” he barked. “What have you done to her? If you’ve hurt her…”

“The brat is fine. Although it’s been a few long years waiting for her to learn how to use her gift.”

“What gift?” he asked in clear confusion.

“Olivia is just like Sage.”

The news dropped Leo’s jaw. “She’s a seer?”

“A powerful one, as predicted, so I guess my annoying time with you paid off.”

“You used me?” he huffed.

“Still so dumb. Have you not been paying attention? Yes, I used you. Used you to get a child. Pretended to marry you since you wouldn’t remove the damned condom until I did. And when I got what I wanted, I left and made sure you wouldn’t come looking.”

Cold. So very cold. Ruth hadn’t often dealt with psychopaths but knew how to recognize them.

“You knew Olivia would be a seer?”

“Hoped. After all, they are rare, but my husband did his research, and what do you know, it worked.”

“Who’s your husband?”

“A real man,” Kylie boasted. “And he will be so pleased when I return with the relic.”

“What do you want with it?” Leo snapped.

“None of your business. Give it.” Kylie held out her hand.

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