Page 7 of Shades of Ruin

“Woah, someone was a dirty boy tonight,” he retorts with a whistle, his eyes roaming over the streaks of blood I now noticeare splattered across my bare torso and arms. “Your pretty angel still alive, chef?”

“Yes, Ivan, she’s alive,” I drawl with an eye roll. “But she’s exhausted, and you’re not helping matters by trying to gossip instead of following orders. Two waters.Now.”

“Yes, Master Greyson,” he quips with a wink—because he flirts with everyone at the club—before bending down and taking two bottles from the cooler beneath the bar.

“Hey, do you still have an emergency stash of bandages hidden around here?” I ask, holding up my injured hand.

Ivan slams two waters on the counter and gapes at me in surprise. “Damn, chef, I’ve never seenyoucome out of a sesh bleeding. That angel must be a hellcat in disguise.”

A reluctant smile tugs at my lips. “Something like that.”

“Give me a min,” he calls before rifling through some of the shelves. “Ahh, here it is.” He flings a large first aid kit in front of me. “Knock yourself out.”

“Thanks.” I make quick work of the zipper and pull out alcohol wipes and a roll of gauze. I’ll handle it properly at home, but for now, I clean the deep cut and wrap it to stop the bleeding. I don’t want to steal any more time away from my angel than I have to.

“Can I steal these?” I ask, snatching a handful of bandages for her thirteen lacerations. It was careless to have cut her so many times, but I didn’t have the strength to hold back, and she didn’t have any intention of stopping me either.

“Take all you need. I’ll restock later.”

I shove the bandages into my back pocket and grab the water in my other hand. “Time for round two,” I announce with a smirk that he knows all too well before walking back toward the stairs.

“Greyson!” comes an angry, regrettably familiar voice from behind me.

Fucking hell. “What?” I ask, not bothering to turn around. He’d better make this quick; I’ve got more important things to do. Like bandaging up my bloody angel before ruining her all over again.

“Turn the fuck around, Greyson. I’ll not stand for disrespect from you. Especially not after what I just heard from Xander and Beck.”

Rolling my eyes at the fact that the little pricks actuallydidgo tattletale to daddy, I turn around and cross my arms over my chest.

“What’s this I hear about you humiliating a demon-level Dom in front of the entire club? And why the fuck are you walking around like some horror version of Magic Mike? I’m going to have to wash my eyes out with whisky.”

“Those assholes deserved everything they got,” I say in my own defense, a little jolt of satisfaction zinging through my body at the memory of Xander on his knees, cowering before me and my girl. And I’d do it all over again if given the choice.

“I don’t care what they did, Greyson. They’re elite members, just like you. Those steep membership fees come with privileges. And those privileges include not being degraded in front of everyone for your twisted pleasure. Keep your kinks in the confines of your private room where they belong.”

It’s hard to see Finn’s fury beneath his white devil mask, but I can feel the heat of it just the same. “You know,” he adds, “Ashford says you’re too reckless, and I’m inclined to agree with him.”

I scoff at the insinuation. Of course he’d throw his best friend, highest-level member, and secret crush into the argument. My list of rivals has never been short, although Caden Ashford is a recent addition. “He thinksI’mreckless? You should see what he does with Kara. That shit is a very fine line between consensual and something else entirely.”

“Don’t make me expel you from this club, Greyson,” hesnarls in outrage. Ashford is always a touchy subject with him. “I don’t need your fucking money. And I definitely don’t need your goddamn attitude.”

“Fine,” I bite back, anxious to get this over with. I’ve left my angel for too long already. “Whatever you say, Satan. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m busy.”

“I don’t care what slut you’ve got chained up in your room right now. This ismydomain and you followmyrules, or you suffer the damn consequences. Your ass is suspended for two fucking weeks for that shit with Xander.”

I glare at him, the threat sending rage coursing through my body. “I don’t give a fuck. I’ll just take my girl home and fuck her in my bed without all the Hell-themed drama.”

“I’m sorry,” he chokes in surprise. “Did you just saymy girlandfuck her in my bed? Who the hell areyoupretending to be for Halloween? Does it end at midnight with some pretty girl in tears when you turn back into the heartless demon we all know you are?”

My fists clench at my sides. “You know, you should really get over yourself and screw Ashford already. Maybe taking it up the ass would make you less of a giant dick.”

He can’t say I’m wrong, so he gapes at me in stunned silence. I think we both know who won this argument.

“Enjoy your night, my lord. I’ve not had a chance to make my pretty girl cry yet, but I’m sure as hell gonna try.”

I race up the stairs, the sudden exertion reminding me that I should have grabbed a few snacks from the bar too. I’ll worry about our energy levels for round two after I get my girl taken care of. Thanks to fucking Finn, I was gone for far longer than expected. I wouldn’t have left her at all if I knew I’d be ambushed by Hell’s overlord and his damn power tripping. I’ll probably have to avoid Pandemonium for a few weeks while he cools off. I suppose my two-week suspension isn’t the worst thingto happen. I’ll just have to convince my angel to fly home with me.

The moment I open the door to my private room, I know something is wrong. She’s not waiting for me where she promised to stay. The room is hollow and empty. My wrecked bed is deserted. There’s no trace of her torn dress, and my shirt isn’t on the floor where I left it. A few bloody, scorched feathers scattered across the rumpled bedding are all that remain of my pretty little ruin.

---