Page 39 of Bound By Ruin

And if rumors fly, so fucking be it.

We’ve got the rest of our lives to prove them wrong.

“What is hedoing?” Thanatos scowls in the distance, clearly ignoring my generous gift of giving him Celia early. It’s a damn kind gesture from the depths of my heart. A valiant effort to patch our family’s holes, and he’s not even interested enough to entertain the idea?

My mood dips, and I clench my jaw to keep from rescinding the offer. Heneedsto spend time with Celia, and this is the easiest way to force him into it. Forcing myself to breathe, I follow Than’s gaze across the room to where Rebel and Celia are sitting. Knowing my brother, he’s either flirting too hard or pissing someone off. “He’s probably just?—”

Picking a fight.

As the man sitting opposite them topples over in his chair, Rebel pulls Celia to her feet, and the pair drifts off to another game table to claim a new seat. The man they’ve left behind on the ground clutches his leg in agony, a few guests standing around gawking while a bouncer and a paramedic rush in. Another man follows Rebel to the new table, clearly hired muscle for the event.

“Rebel,” I growl, knowing he can hear me through our earpieces. “What the fuck did you do?”

“Looks like a stab wound,” Thanatos grumbles, scowling. “I didn’t see him pull a knife, though.”

“It was under the table.Rebel.Fucking answer me.”

Neither he nor Celia pick up. “Fucker left his comms off, too.”

I’m not surprised that he would forget to turn it on in favor of turningheron. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and count to ten. “He’s going to get us in trouble.”

Thanatos lifts an eyebrow. “Are you forgetting about your little stunt at the bar?” After a moment, he sighs. “This mission was doomed before we ever started. None of you can keep your cool.” His face twists, pulling at the scar on his lips. “I’ll have to take him out myself.”

“Becausethatwent so well before.” I can’t help but be an asshole when I’m in a bad mood. “You had years to take him out, Than. Why couldn’t you?”

“I shot him,” he grumbles, “but the bastard didn’t die. Hobbled away and went underground. There’s only so much I can do without bratva resources behind me, Rage.” He scowls at me. “In case you’ve forgotten, when I left, I was exiled. I ran into old teammates on the road, and they pretended I didn’t exist. Completely ignored me in fear of the consequences.”

“That was Tolkotsky’s era, not Andrei’s.” It’s ominous to speak our oldpakhan’s name, but the bastard is dead and buried. “For what it’s worth, you were dealt a shit hand. I know you left for good reason, and I don’t fault you for it.” I jab my fist against his chest. “But this shit right here? Stop doubting it. We’ll kill him—together.”

“Tonight,” he vows, nodding. “Yeah. Okay.”

We watch as Rebel and Celia get up from their tableagainand quickly disappear into the men’s restroom. After a moment, Celia’s voice fills my ear.

“That’s not the point. You can’t lose focus tonight. This is too important.”

“Damn right it is,” I mutter, sighing. As we listen to their conversation, I study Thanatos’s face. He takes a drink from a passing server and leans against a support beam for the monstrous city of lights over our heads. Ruin must be listening and lurking, too, all of us hanging on Rebel and Celia’s every word.

They’re arguing.

It’s short-lived, however, with Rebel groaning that he’srock hard.

“Again?” I snap. “Why the fuck are you hard?”

Thanatos’s mouth presses into a thin line as he swirls the drink in his hand without taking a sip.

Ruin’s voice suddenly joins the conversation. “Where are you? I can’t see you.”

“We’re in the men’s room. Rebel stabbed someone.”

“Called it,” Than grunts. Then, louder, “You two need to cool it. We just got here, and you’re already maiming people. Save it for Dad.”

“Someoneelsegot hurt? Who?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. Fucking galas—always a mess. “Doesn’t matter.” Mike Smith will keep his mouth shut if he knows what’s good for him.

Celia asks if we should switch, and I think it’s a damn fine idea. I’m about to suggest that Thanatos go next when Rebel starts talking again, muttering about how good Celia looks with a weapon, until finally, he says something that catches all of our attention.

“You’ll let me fuck you with one, right? Please?”

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