Page 108 of Her Ruin

“Don’t they bring kids with them?” I paused as I reached into my fridge for a bottle of water.

“No, you fucking clown, it’s not a swap meet, for fuck’s sake.”

“Oh.” I sniffed. “Then why did you say they scream all day?”

“Because they’re women.”

I shook my head. “You’re a sexist asshole.” He grinned at me. “Why are you here? What couldn’t wait until it was finished?”

Rye looked me over, then tapped his watch. “It’s been over for hours. I came looking for the boss because work’s due to start, and he wasn’t there, and he’s never been late in his life.”

I turned to the clock in the kitchen area.Fuck. I’d slept the day away.We’dslept the day away.

“Anyone looking for her?” I asked softly.

“No one knows she’s here, right?” Rye glanced over at Isla’s sleeping form.

“No.” I shook my head. “It wasn’t planned.” I saw his dubious look. “She spilled coffee.”

He waited, and when I offered nothing else, he shook his head. “Right, well, that’s quite a story. Get your shit together. We’ve deals lined up for tonight. I need you focused.”

He left knowing I’d heard him, but my eyes were still trained on Isla. Walking over to the bed, I looked down at her. She was so peaceful. So unguarded. So innocent. Bending down, I kissed her bare shoulder.

“Isla?” I kissed along her back, up her neck, and along her jaw. “You need to wake up, Is.”

“Keep going, I’m still sleepy,” she murmured, snuggling into the bed but arching her neck so I could kiss her there.

My cock reacted, and I knew I didn’t have time. “I have to go to work.”

It had the desired effect. Her eyes shot open, and her body turned stiff. “Right.” Isla glanced at her watch and sat bolt upright. “Shit. Is that really the time?”

“Yeah, I didn’t realize until Rye woke me up.”

Her eyes were wide as she stared at me. “Rye woke you? He was here?” She looked down at her naked body. “Did heseemenaked?”

I debated with the truth and then went with the safest option. “I covered you.”

She was on her feet, the blanket wrapped around her. “Afterhe saw me?” Isla shivered. “Doesn’t he know how to knock? Ugh, why does he just get to walk in here?”

Because I don’t bring women to my apartment to fuck.“He didn’t know you were here.”

“What did he want?”

“Remind me I have a business to run.”

Isla ran her hand through her messy hair, her eyes sad. Her look was defeated. “You need to go to work,” she said quietly. “To the clubs that get raided by SWAT.” She saw my look. I’d told her we got raided. I never mentioned by who. “Gossip, especially when it’s about the hottest club in town.”

“Every club has to deal with authorities,” I told her smoothly.

“How many people get SWAT visits?” Her tone was harsh, and her body language screamed clear negative vibes.

“I’ve always been popular.”

I watched the emotions play over her face while I fought the feeling of disappointment. I knew this would be the way she was. Rye did too. This morning and afternoon had been a blip. A luxury that neither of us could afford.

A mistake.

“I need to shower and get to work,” I told her briskly. “You can stay, or you can leave.” I walked to the bathroom. “This is who I am, Isla. I never hid it from you before, and I won’t do it now.”

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