RUIN: Psychological Enemies-to-Lovers Thriller

My heart boomed in my ears.

Every inch of my body trembled.

He leaned down until his nose touched the tip of mine. “I should break your fucking neck.”

I kept my mouth closed.

Please, God. Don’t let me die in this nasty-ass hotel.

“Check under the pillow, Griff.” He tightened his grip on my throat but thankfully didn’t squeeze.

Well, the other guy’s name is Griff. Not that it matters. . .they’re probably going to kill me.

Griff walked to the bed and flipped the pillow over. “It’s a gun.”

Yep. I’m going to die in this nasty room.

Wagging the machete, West sat on the bed next to me. “What were you going to do with that, sweetheart?”

I shivered.

Cain moved his nose from mine. “Answer him.”

“I-I was just going to. . .d-defend myself.”

“Oh, no.” Cain shook his head. “Don’t stutter now. You were Miss Confidence when you shot me.”

I pursed my lips together.

“Where’s everything else?”

I trembled in his hold. “I saved up some money in my drawer over by the newspaper clippings. You can take that—”

“How much is that?”

“Five thousand dollars.”

West snorted. “This job was supposed to bring in 50k at least.”

I blinked. “The credit cards went to my friend. She turns it into cash and in four days she will—”

“I want it now!” Cain bared his teeth at me. “Where’s her place?”

My bottom lip quivered. “I-I can’t tell you.”

“You can’t?” He squeezed my neck, choking me.

Ah!

All breath left my lungs. I struggled against him, clawing at his hand trying to break free. His grip was iron-tight. His hold impossible to escape.

He loosened up. “What’s the address?”

My body shook under him.

I can’t. I can’t.

Quin stopped me from being raped twice. She cut off a motherfucker’s hand after he punched me. And when I had to bury Chris’s body, she rushed over in the middle of the night with her pajamas on and a shovel in her hand.

I wouldn’t put her in danger.

Damn it.

My eyes watered.

I really am going to die in this nasty ass place.

“Let’s see if we can get some words out of you.” Cain squeezed my throat again.

This time, I closed my eyes and sank into the sensation of concrete rising in my throat. I accepted my death. At least, I would leave this world for a worthy cause.

Bye, Quin.

Keeping my lids shut, I tried not to struggle against the choking, but it was a natural reaction.

Bye, Tate.

Cain loosened the hold.

Why did he stop?

Trembling, I opened my eyes.

Darkness loomed in those ice-blue pupils. “You accept death?”

“Clearly, she does.” West left the bed and shut off the air conditioner. “If we don’t kill her, these fucking fumes will.”

A tear fell from the corner of my eye.

Griff shook his head. “Check the drawer for the money.”

“I’ve got it.” West went over to the dresser and stood by my brother’s news clippings. “I’m a fan of Tate Parks too.”

West blew out the candle and yanked open the drawer.

“Let me tell you a secret.” Cain leaned down and brushed his mouth against my ear. “I don’t want to kill you.”

Oh! You don’t?

I calmed a tiny bit.

He growled in my ear, “But I will.”

The little bit of calm I had, disappeared.

West rummaged through my drawer and pulled out the envelope of money. “Here it is.”

Griff pocked my gun from the bed. “Count it.”

I looked back at Cain.

He wore a cruel smile. “You’re really willing to die to protect this person?”

“Y-yes.”

Lowering himself over me, he put his face back in front of mine and gave me a psychotic grin. “What else are you willing to deal with to protect her?”

Horror spiked my pulse.

“Let’s test this out.” Cain put his hands to the top of my jumpsuit, grabbed the zipper, and yanked it down.

Oh no. Not that.

The jumpsuit opened in the front, exposing the exotic dancer costume I wore under it.

He gazed at the tiny gold tube top that barely held my breasts up. “If you welcome death, then I’ll just torture you in other ways.”

No. Please. No.

“Hurry up, Cain. We have to get out of here.” Griff dug into his pants, pulled out handcuffs, and slung them to him. “The manager may call the cops.”

“I bet he’s not even here.” West counted the money by the dresser. “Maybe we could take our time.”

Take your time doing what?

Cain raked his gaze over my breasts as if daring me to stop him.

I slightly arched my back to keep his focus on my breasts and buy me some time. “I-I have an idea.”

“I bet you do.” Cain yanked the top down.

What?

My breasts spilled out. The cool air stiffened my nipples. Although I’d been naked in front of people before, I felt more exposed now than ever in my life.

“Now we’re talking.” West walked over with the money.

Griff came closer too.

All three loomed around me like sharks circling a bloodied diver.

No. No. No. Not that. Please don’t do that.