RUIN: Psychological Enemies-to-Lovers Thriller

A phoenix flying out of fire. Interesting.

I might’ve spent too long focused on her ass. With the gems and bouncing, it shifted into a golden ball of hot lust, igniting desire within me. Even though she was ten feet away, I could feel the heat radiating off her—the raw blazing energy.

She was on fucking fire.

And with each twist, I yearned to burn away.

Fast, she grabbed the pole behind her, hooked her leg, leaped up, and swung around in a perfect, graceful motion, spinning to the melody. Those long strands rippled in the air. Still whirling around, she arched her back and let go of the pole, letting those strong thighs keep her balanced.

I grunted in hunger.

She had me caught up in the moment.

If this were another night, you would be bloodied and bouncing on my dick.

Since shitting on piety, I’d fucked many women. I knew what kind of look would make a woman cross the room to talk to me. I knew that my muscular frame and the shape of my lips made their pussies wet and gave them dirty ideas. I knew the way that I walked triggered some to wonder about my dick.

The only problem with women these days was that my blackening psyche shoved me down towards darker sexual proclivities.

The hit, Cain. Get back to the hit.

I returned my attention to the guns in my hand and headed to her stage.

Five feet of space ran between her and me.

She turned my way.

Our eyes met.

Still on the pole, she shifted to rocking and rolling her body. Back and forth. Around and around. She influenced her own groove and made love to the space.

Hypnotizing.

She tossed me a wicked smile. One lathered in lusty promise and dripping with the willingness to give me whatever I craved. My dick jumped again as if he were prepared to detach from my body and soar to her.

Chill out. You know the rules. Money first. Then celebrate.

Now only two feet away, the dancer curled her finger and beckoned me over.

Not tonight.

I winked at her.

But damn, I wish I could give you a try. It would have been nice to cut you.

In a blur of motion, I raised my guns out and shot the ceiling.

Dust trickled down.

Women screamed.

The music stopped.

One man shoved a dancer away and rushed off.

Griff leaped out from the shadows and shot him in the leg. “Stay down or die!”

That quieted everyone else, although several women whimpered.

I checked West.

He had his guns on the big bouncers by the bar. We’d discovered a week ago, that they were the only ones with actual guard training. The rest of the bouncers were just pudgy, tall college guys who appeared mean and tough, but with one shove in their ribs, they would probably cry like babies.

Quickly, West unarmed the bouncers by the bar and handcuffed their wrists to the railing.

I checked the main stage. Surprisingly, the dancer was the only woman that hadn’t run for cover.

No coward either, huh? I really should fuck you.

I put my attention back on the hit.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!” I waved my guns around.

Dancers ducked.

Men crouched to the floor.

Fast, Griff rushed for the bouncers by the champagne room, snatching away their guns and cuffing them to each other.

“I apologize for the disruption.” I targeted one gun in the direction of the champagne room. “This is a short intermission.”

A guy shrieked near me.

My heart pounded in my ears. “It’s time for the rich to give to the poor.”

A door slammed behind us.

I growled, “What was that?”

“The DJ ran out the back exit.” Griff grinned. “I told you he wouldn’t be a problem. You owe me a twenty.”

“Lucky bastard.”

“Just have my twenty in my hand by morning.” Griff vanished back into the club’s darkness.

As if you’d ever let me forget.

I shot into the ceiling. This time a slab of white tile dropped down to the floor. “Anyone else leaves and they die!”

I backed up and let my brother host the rest of the party.

West was the people person.

Hurrying my way, he slung the black bag on the center stage. It landed at the foot of the hypnotizing dancer.

“We’re not snobs. All forms of currency and jewelry are welcome.” West scanned the space with his guns. “This lovely lady on the main stage behind me will be our collector for the evening.”

On the far left, Griff jumped out of the shadows and shot a guy in the leg. “Put the phone down!”

The old man cried out in pain and grabbed his leg.

“It’s not time to call anybody.” Griff kicked the phone away and vanished.

I looked around, making sure no one tried to be a hero this evening. While I loved the sight of blood and death, I hated when innocent people died. Plus robberies with no death had less police involvement.

“Get in a single-file line!” West formed his mouth into one of his signature smiles that made women hand over their numbers in seconds. “When you do, dump your credit cards, wallets, bills, watches, rings, and anything of value in this bag that we’ve provided for your convenience.”