Page 151 of His Ruin
My lips wobble as I let my emotions flow. “I’m so scared…”
She lifts her hand to my face, cupping my cheek. “But you’ll spend every day regretting it if you don’t try.”
She’s right. No matter how angry I am with him, I’ll regret it more if I don’t test the waters first. It’s always been at the back of my mind how differently our lives could have been if he had chosen me the first time. Somehow, I feel like this is that very dream come to life, and we’re getting our second chance. It isn’t clean or cordial. It’s messy and dramatic, but it’s ours.
“I love you, Mom,” I say with a small smile.
“I love you too, Jellybean,” she says, kissing my cheek before rising. “Let me go get your father before he blows through a whole pack.”
As I watch her walk away, she stops Kaden before patting his cheek affectionately. He whispers something low to her, making her laugh before she excuses herself outside.
Well, it’ll be nice not having to pretend I’m interested in my ex-in-laws’ long-winded stories about sports and their desk jobs. That part is nice…
Ivan mingles with the crowd, catching my attention as he steps out onto the balcony and pulls a cigar out of his pocket. I may not know the inner workings of his crime family, but I’m not dumb. I rise from the table, sweeping across the floor as people congratulate me. I give kind smiles, waving to my friends before I join the Pahkan on the balcony. He’s resting his elbows on the iron, thick smoke billowing from his mouth as I settle beside him.
“Give it to me straight,” I command lightheartedly.
He sighs, hanging his head as he presses a thumb to the bridge of his nose. “You’re initiated into the family, which means you can never leave. Just like Kaden.”
“I know.”
His head turns. “You do?”
I nudge him. “I’m not stupid. I know this was his plan all along.”
Ivan shakes his head. “For what it’s worth, I tried to stop him.”
My brows lift. “And you thoughtyoucould get through to him?”
He chuckles. “I guess I was dreaming too big there.” He puffs on his cigar before blowing out smoke. “Kaden isn’t a good person. He’s hot-headed and stubborn, but with you, I think he’s the best version of himself that he’s capable of.”
“Really?” I muse, feeling lighter as the evening flows.
“Yeah…” Ivan trails. “He’s his own kind of twisted, but when he’s with you, he actually seems normal. It’s surreal to know he’s smiling and he actually means it.”
My heart twinges, warmth spreading as those old feelings circle. I really am hopeless, because I know I’m going to give him a fair chance. After tormenting him, of course.
Ivan pulls back, slapping the railing. “I hate to admit this, especially with you in biting range of me, but I’m rooting for both of you.”
I tilt my head affectionately. “Yeah, I think I am too…”
“I would say blink if Kaden’s holding you at gunpoint but…” He winces. “Too soon?”
I roll my eyes. “A little.”
Saint breezes out onto the balcony, rubbing his hands together like the mastermind he is. “Melody, we need you in here for this.”
My brow quirks. “For what?”
He smirks devilishly. “You’ll see.”
I follow him inside to see a chair stationed in the center of the room. Most of Ivan’s men are standing around, forming a crowd as my friends sit at their tables. Kaden looms over the chair, his hands tucked into his pockets as he waits for me.
“What is this?” I ask as I near him.
He motions for me to sit, and I obey, glancing around at everyone. Kaden drops to a knee in front of me, and I gasp. Dad chooses this very moment to come back inside before he stops, takes one look at us, holds up his hands, and turns right back around.
“Eyes on me, pretty girl,” Kaden murmurs as my gaze snaps to him. His other knee falls until he’s kneeling before me like he’s bowing to a ruler. His hands shift my dress aside, revealing my leg with my garter belt as his fingers caress gently across my skin.
