Page 61 of Shades of Ruin

“Really?” she gasps in excitement.

“Really,” I promise.

“It was wonderful meeting you, Angélica,” Olivia says, and I can tell the words are genuine rather than polite. “You should come visit. Drag my brother with you. I know my husband, Dane, would love to meet Grey’s first-ever girlfriend. He’s insisted that Greyson is gay for years.”

“First ever?” I repeat in surprise, looking over at Grey.

“I don’t date,” Grey answers with a shrug. “Now get out of here so I can do naughty things with mygirlfriend.”

“You’re so disgusting,” Olivia laughs. She wraps her arms around me, and I try not to stiffen too much with the sudden touch. “I’ll come steal you for a girls’ night soon. I’m sure you could use a break from this monster.”

“Later, Liv,” Grey calls in annoyance.

“Later, loser,” she yells back as she starts to leave.

“Bye, Uncle Grey!” Elia calls as her mother half-carries her out of the room.

“Bye, Lia-bear,” Grey says back with a wave as they disappear from the kitchen and down the hall. “Thank fuck, we’re alone again.”

“Stop,” I scold with a slap to his chest. “Olivia is amazing. And Elia is the cutest thing ever. Why don’t you see them more often?”

A frown forms between Grey’s eyes. “Liv has her own life. She doesn’t need me anymore.”

His sister visits him regularly without any invitation from him, and somehow, he feels like she’s moved on from needing him just because she has a family of her own?

“She wants you to be a part of her life, Greyson. And she tries pretty damn hard to make sure that you are.” Much harder than my own parents ever did.

“I don’t want to fuck it up,” he sighs.

I hate that he was broken by his father. I hate that after all this time, the pain of it is still raw. I hate that he thinks his sister’s life is so perfect that he would damage it somehow by willingly being an active part of it.

“You wouldn’t,” I reply, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding him close. “Elia adores you. Liv does too beneath all the teasing sibling rivalry.”

“Yeah, she does.”

“We could pick a Sunday to go see them?” I suggest. “Get out of the apartment for a change?”

“Would you want to?” His tone is hopeful, and it squeezes my heart.

“Obviously. I need to defend my reigning champion title in chef’s surprise.”

He leans down and kisses me softly. “You’re on, chef.”

Chapter Thirty

GREYSON

Fucking Finn is throwing another one of his themed parties at Pandemonium tonight. I love the club, but why can’t we just fuck without the dress code and masks? I’d planned on skipping out on the festivities and spending a not so quiet night in with Angélica, but I can tell she’s anxious for a bit of fun outside of the restaurant and my apartment. And as much as I’d like to, I can’t keep her all to myself forever. So why not show her off at the club so everyone can see what’s mine?

I left Angélica alone after breakfast so I could pick up everything we needed for tonight. It’s the summer solstice, and to celebrate the longest day of the year, we’ve been instructed to come in gold. Personally, I prefer the endless night theme of the winter solstice party, but I’m willing to suffer for my angel.

I’ve skirted the theme as much as I dare and commissioned a custom black suit with gold, embroidered flames delicately detailed along the sleeves and lapels. My pants and dress shirt are solid black as usual. Masks are mandatory for every attendee tonight, so I had my demon mask hand-painted in gold leaf at the tips of the horns. I have no doubt Finn will have a tantrumwhen I show up and wreck his solid gold theme—and I can’t wait to tell him to get fucked before taking my girl up to my private room and stuffing her pretty holes till she screams.

Speaking of my little ruin, I have two surprises for her tonight. One is a custom dress made of golden silk so transparent that the flames of Pandemonium will illuminate every inch of her. Matching gold flames are embroidered from the bottom of the floor-length gown to the full curve of her hips. The dress is bare of any detailing between her thighs, but I requested a matching gold thong to keep her pretty little cunt covered. Anyone who looks can see what they will never have the privilege of touching. And for her tits—well, that’s my second surprise.

Because I was feeling sentimental about returning to the place we first met, I went to Angélica’s apartment to look for her scorched wings. I wasn’t sure if she even kept them. After ten minutes of searching, there they were, stashed in the back of her almost empty closet because most of her clothes are at my place where they belong. The wings still smelled like that night—like ashes, blood, and sex.

I made a small alteration and had the black feathers painted in gold at the tips of the wings. For her mask, I chose a gorgeous, gold filigree lace that will bring out the flecks of gold in her eyes. The final touch is a wreath of golden feathers that will adorn her pretty, chocolate and caramel curls like a crown. She’ll be as stunning as the day we met—more so because this time she’s all mine.

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