Page 108 of Unlocking Ruin

“You did it,” he says, appearing jubilant.

“Caught you?”

“Turned into a queen.”

“Shut up, Steffen.”

“If you wanted me to be silent, you would have kept the tape on. You would have stayed locked in Alister’s castle. Why are you here, Rylan?”

I slowly draw the knife back, letting the edge rest against my thigh but never breaking his gaze. “Why does it sound like you don’t want to see me? Was it all a lie?”

“Don’t insult my love for you.” His eyes darken.

“Love?” I sneer, step back, and look down at my prey.

Let’s see how loyal you are!

“Three weeks ago I went to Henderson’s wedding, and I watched him walk down the aisle and marry someone that he didn’t choose,” I begin to tell Steffen. “I started looking around that room, wondering how many people were in the same position he was in. Was I the only one sitting there that had freedom?”

“Most likely,” Steffen replies.

“You weren’t there,” I say, digging my heels into the soil.

“I asked for a phone call. You denied it. I was respecting your decision.”

“I didn’t deny it,” I argue. “I was processing it.”

A flash of anger spreads over his face. “What would you have done if I were there?” he asks. His biceps flex.

Is he trying to break the zip ties binding his wrists?

I circle him, slow and deliberate, fingers brushing the plastic binding his wrists. “Scream and shout. Hug you,” I admit, voice barely above a whisper.

At the wedding, I searched every shadow for a glimpse of him, hoping he’d appear, dangerous and familiar. He’s still BANKS Corp, after all.

I stop in front of him, letting the cracks in my armor show. “I miss being hugged.” The words hang between us. His shoulders tense, arms straining, as if he could break free and pull me close if I just gave him the chance.

He looks at my knife. “Cut these off me?”

I stay perfectly still, letting the tension coil tighter between us.

He shifts forward, rising with surprising ease despite his bound hands. “Is this truth a trick-or-treat, Little Thief?”

“Why can’t it be both?” I smirk, but it’s cruel.

How many nights have I cried over him?

“I think I love you, Steffen,” I continue, raising my knife. He stays still, allowing me to hold the power. “Sometimes I think I can’t breathe because I miss you so badly, and other days I never want to see you again, but by the end of the night all that rage simmers, and I do want to see you.”

I want to claim you. I want you to be one of my toy soldiers. Will you? How loyal will you be when I reveal my plan?

“Sounds like love to me,” he replies, his eyes following me as I circle him.

“Why do you think that?”

“Because no love is perfect. Whoever claims it is, is lying. Love is passion, and passion is messy. What’s more passionate, a sunny day or a thunderous sky battling a rainbow? I needed to make sure you had the freedom to choose who you wanted to spend your life with, Rylan. I didn’t want you to shine. I wanted you to thunder, to roar and rule.”

The lack of fear in his eyes makes my heart pound.