Page 89 of Unlocking Ruin

Steffen’s grip tightens around my waist, fingers digging in. I twist, forcing myself to look up at him.

“Why did you say you’d always chase me?” My voice scrapes out, raw. Used.

I squirm in his hold, desperate to see his face, but he clamps me in place, refusing to let me meet his eyes.

Both car doors burst open before he can answer. Two men tumble out. The first is broad-shouldered. His eyes lock onto mine, concern flickering for a heartbeat before his stare turns cold, lethal, freezing Steffen where he stands. He moves out from behind the door, every step deliberate, the air thickening with each stride.

The second man ignores Steffen completely. His stare latches onto me, unblinking. His face is drawn tight and pale with fear.

“Because I love you,” Steffen rasps.

I wrench my gaze from the others and force myself to look up at Steffen, my neck straining at an unnatural angle.

“I feared love, yet I could not outrun it,” he says, staring into my eyes.

You’re a fucking liar!

Pain rips through me, sharper because he made me believe I mattered. He made me trust him.

“It chased me down, tricking the hunter in me,” he continues. “I was scared, so I tried to trick love. I made a deal to hand you over to Alister. To live a life without love.”

I tear my eyes away from his face, fixating on the bright red dot burning into his forehead.

“But you’re part of the founding families,” I whisper through trembling lips. Lips still swollen from his kisses. My muscles clench with the urge to claw my own skin off. “You work with Alister.”

“I did—until you. I fucked up the plan and stole from him, just like you stole from Frank. I stole you.”

My mouth goes dry. Tears sting my eyes, blurring everything as they carve hot tracks down my burning cheeks.

“Why?” I seethe.

“Because I thought revenge was more valuable than love; I was wrong. I texted Alister this morning, but I was too late.”

This morning!

“When you slept with me last night, you were still plotting revenge?” I shake my head, forcing down a swallow as acidity burns my throat.

“Who killed your father, Steffen?” I ask, my voice rising. “Was it Alister?”

“No.”

“I don’t have time for all these emotions,” Anders shouts. “That’s Dash’s gun aimed at you. He never misses. Hand over the girl.”

“You said you’d chase me, but I walked right into the trap,” I tell Steffen, as my face reddens. “What was your plan? Play me, fuck me, then after you’ve had your taste, you’d hand me over, humiliated?” I try to pull away, but he holds me even tighter.

Movement flickers at the edge of my vision. The men are closing in, their steps tightening the circle around us.

“Steffen,” Torben shouts. “Please! I can’t lose you.”

“Since love is in the mix,” Anders shouts, “I’ll show mercy.” He strides forward, whistling a sharp tune, then checks his watch. “Sixty seconds. Give me the girl, and I’ll chalk this up as a mistake—a debt you’ll owe me.”

“Hand her over, Steffen,” another man yells.

“I can’t,” Steffen growls.

“Let go of me!” I spit out, my voice trembling with tears.

Steffen glances down, desperation flickering in his eyes. “I need to explain, Rylan. Just give me more time. Please.”