Page 66 of Unlocking Ruin

I get it. Severe trauma never dulls. It occasionally slumbers, then reawakens during prosperous times.

I lower my hands, turn, and hop back up on the counter. “Thank you for showing me.”

“It wasn’t a gift given freely. It’s your knowledge to harbor now, Rylan,” he says, in a veiled tone.

I try not to look at his scars any longer. Instead, I focus on his ink. It’s all black, no color, no hint at the emotions of the man who bears it. A giant angel is striding through flames; its wings are almost melting, falling victim to the fire consuming it. A dark wave looms behind it, but the sun in front of it helps to drag it out of the fire.

I keep scanning his body, and that’s when I see it. Over his heart, in gothic-style script writing, is the word. “Little Thief,” I mutter. My ribs lace, pulling my heart into a tight grip. The weight is unbearable.

“You finally noticed.” He extends his hand and strokes the tattoo.

“You call me Little Thief.” My hands grip the counter’s edge.

I want to hop off and scrutinize it, but if I do, he’ll take a piece of me. That’s why I stay on the counter.

“Sometimes the smallest of people can achieve the most monumental things, Rylan.” He answers with sincere honesty. It beguiles his seductive nature. “You are a thief,” he claims, swinging his arm down to reveal the tattoo again; chest wide, spine tall and standing proud. “My Thief. You stole my heart.”

I shake my head.

“Deny it all you want. I felt it. How it ached the moment you wrapped your hands around it and plucked it free. It’s yours.”

It’s as if I feel the stolen object beating inside me, pleading for me to take it and keep it alive. I scoot back, but the island offers no support—just an endless, flat surface devoid of safety.

“You’re insane!” My snap sounds more like a cry.

“I’ve never been happier.” He chuckles devilishly.

“Take it back,” I demand, lowering my chin.

I look at the drawer he pulled the spoons from. I leap down, stride to it, and pull out a knife. A second later I have it pressed against his chest.

He lets me drag the tip of the blade over the first letter. I want to cut it off, force him to take his heart back, to stop this feeling surging between us.

Blood drips onto the knife as he presses his skin into it. “Stop!” I shout, the knife clattering to the ground and sliding over the floor as I toss it far away.

“See Rylan, you just saved me. Again.”

CHAPTER 15

Rylan

“Ididn’t want to hurt you,” I argue, as my eyes bounce from the knife to the small drop of blood dripping down his chest.

“Does that mean you want to love me?”

“You can’t force love, Steffen.”

“I’m well aware. That’s why I’ll earn it.” He moves so quickly, I gasp. He grabs my hips, lifts me and sets me back up on the counter.

I grab onto the edges again.

“My heart is safer with you, Rylan.” He levels me. His eyes thunder, unrelenting. “You just need time,” he expresses, a little ruffled.

He turns and starts to set a place for himself next to my bowl and spoon.

I drag my hand down my face. “You’ve had years of stalking me to understand this thing between us. I’ve known you for days, if this qualifies as knowing.”

“So, ask me questions.”