Page 96 of Her Ruin

ZAYN

The lookon my face was loud enough for even the most hammered patron of Elixir to give me a wide berth as I marched through the club.

I had one target, and I was going to kick his ass from here to Chicago. My blood boiled when I saw him.

Rye looked up just as my fist connected with his jaw. He staggered backwards, a snarl twisting his lips, but quickly caught himself and already had his fists raised, ready to fight.

“Happy?” I asked him as I swung again, and he ducked only for my left fist to connect in his gut. His grunt wasn’t enough to quell my rage.

“That all you got?” he taunted, lunging forward, and we exchanged a flurry of blows.

I felt every strike reverberate, and each punch I landed was a reminder to him who was in charge here.

The fight was raw and unplanned, and it did not lessen my anger. I landed a heavy right that sent him crashing against a wall. His face was a mask of stubborn defiance, but I recognized the look of respect as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

I glared down at him, my voice low and dangerous. “Why?”

He glared up at me, silent but with eyes that screamed challenge. Slowly, he pushed himself off the wall, his grin returning despite the fact his lip was bleeding and he had a cut above his eye.

I stepped back, my pulse still pounding. I couldn’t let this scene spill into the public areas—this was a conversation meant for us alone. As I straightened my shirt, I glanced around to ensure we had been unobserved. A bitter triumph settled in my chest. I’d reminded him that control wasn’t given—it was taken.

And if it was taken, it could be takenback.

“Why?” I asked him again.

“Because you’re distracted. Open.Careless.” He hissed the last word. “A conference room?” he asked with disgust. “Where anyone could get to you? Where hundreds of eyes can see how much she means to you?” He spat on the floor. “If she’s worth it, she will accept you.”

“You did it for me?” I scoffed, looking away. “What did you show her?”

“Everything.”

I knocked him flat on his ass.

“Stay the fuck away from me until I no longer want to hit you.” I headed back to my office, my mind racing.

“That’ll be a long time,” Rye called after me. “Youalwayswant to hit me.”

“Truth,” I muttered. “Fuck you, asshole,” I shouted over my shoulder. His low laughter followed me.

In my office, I thought about calling her. What did I say? Rolling my head on my shoulders, I fought the urge to punch Rye again. It wouldn’t change anything, and in his own way, he was trying to help.

Julian was protective of Isla.

Rye wasoverprotective of me.

In any other situation, it would be amusing. Two overprotective brothers looking out for their siblings. It didn’t matter that not an ounce of the same blood ran through their veins.

Blood didn’t make you family.

Loyalty did.

I knew the fucker would bleed for me. Hell, hehadbled for me. Too many times.

The door opened, and Rye walked in. He had a paper towel pressed against his lip. “Need the first aid kit,” he said with no shame, tossing me an ice pack.

“For a busted lip?”

He turned his head, and I saw the blood on his face. “Dirty trick.” He scowled at me. “Everyone knows above the eye busts like a watermelon dropping on concrete.”

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