Page 58 of Queen of Ruin

I’d deserve it.

If I’d been faster, smarter, hell, if I’d just kept driving, then no one would have found us. I’d planned to toss my phone anyway, and then Mindy wouldn’t have a number to give bounty hunters or anyone else.

“My name… is Bradley,” the burly man says, leaning away from the wall and sending another handful of plaster scattering to the floor as he removes his fist from the hole. “I’m not going to waste your time or mine.”

“Then let me the fuck go.”

“No.”

“I said⁠—”

“And I said this is the time for listening!” Despite not raising his voice, a sudden heat cascades across my shoulders as if I’ve just been scolded and my mind goes blank.

Listening.

Sure. Whatever.

I can do that.

Bradley paces away from me while brushing dust from his knuckles, then he turns to face me.

“I know you kidnapped Valentina. I don’t know why. I know you hurt her. I don’t know why. I know you then kept her alive and with you. I don’t know why. I don’t care if it was perversion or torture, I don’t care if it was a kink or if someone paid you to do it. I want to know why.”

My lips remain sealed. Is this bastard trying to pin her injuries and well-being onto me? Fuck that.

“Tell me why,” Bradley continues. “Tell me where you held her.”

I maintain my silence.

“I thought I would give you the courtesy of asking you directly, man to man,” Bradley says. He brings his hands together and slowly cracks his knuckles, one at a time. “My mistake.”

“I know who you are,” I growl. “You tried to kill me once and I didn’t talk then. I’m sure as hell not telling you anything now.”

“Not even to protect Mindy?”

Air catches at the base of my throat and my eyes widen. “Mindy?”

“Your ex-girlfriend. Or current, at least, according to her. She’s the only person in your life who actually meant something once upon a time. Or should I pay a visit to old Hank? According to his medical records, he’s had two heart attacks this year. Maybe the old boy is due a third.”

“Are you fucking insane?” I stalk forward despite every warning in my mind screaming at me to stop. “You think it’s funny to mess with people’s lives like that? To stalk and threaten them? You should be disgusted with yourself, you hear me? I don’t give a shit what big, bad wolf you bark up to. I’m not telling you shit, so you might as well kill me because every single person you hurt trying to make me talk will be another staple on my motherfucking mouth!”

Bradley’s eyes narrow but before he can speak, the door behind him swings open and another man walks in. He’s tall with tawny skin and close-cropped brown hair, and a loose tank hangs off his broad shoulders.

“Relax, Bradley,” the man says. “He’s a friend. He’s not who we’re after.”

“You sure?” Bradley grunts, not taking his eyes off me.

“Yep. Raven got Valentina talking a little. He’s not it.”

“Valentina?” I turn to the stranger who flashes me a rather charming smile. “Where is she? Is she alright? If you’ve hurt her, I swear to God⁠—”

“Relax.” The man chuckles. “She’s fine. Come on, you can ask her yourself.”

23

VALENTINA

“Whoever was taking care of you did a decent job.”