Page 91 of Queen of Ruin

How do I describe a man who trusted a bleeding, beaten woman who threw herself into his car and threatened to kill him? A man who then cared for that woman, risked his own life, faced the pain of his past and then endured more torture in nine hours than most men in this world would suffer in a week?

There are no words to describe him.

Other than he’s mine and I love him.

This past week has been a yo-yo of settling back into myself, taking care of Diego, and working with Bradley to torture every sick and twisted scumbag we took from that warehouse. Everyone broke, even the ones who snarled at me through bloodied teeth while promising to escape and fuck me raw.

They all caved and soon, we had a full list of every buyer and client who had ever had dealings with those Armenian scumbags. Most were overseas, so Bradley reached out to contacts all over the world, but those few who remain in NYC? They’re our problem.

Now, we’re on to pest control.

“Ready?” Ruslan turns to me and offers his elbow. “I think it’s about time Mr. and Mrs. Hannigan made their way upstairs, don’t you think?”

I check my makeup one last time, then smile politely and loop my hand around his elbow. “I think so too.”

The bathroom door opens and the masks slide on. Ruslan and I step into the only roles that could get us into this hotel without raising any suspicion. Using the Suit as a way to access all of these hotels was doable, but given how the Armenians and their clients were clever enough to try and frame other Mafia families for their crimes, we work on the assumption that news of us would reach their ears.

I need revenge and the last thing I want to do is chase these bastards out of the country before I can get it.

Pretending to be someone else is much easier and much more fun.

“Oh, darling.” I raise my voice slightly as we walk through a foyer filled to the brim with not-so-subtly armed guards. “I met the most charming gentleman in the bar earlier.”

“Did you indeed?” Ruslan replies.

“Yes, in fact, he invited me up for a little nightcap.”

“Did he?” Ruslan’s fake anger ignites. “And who the fuck thinks they can invite my wife to some kind of nightcap? What sort of shoddy, good-for-nothing establishment is this!”

“Darling, please!”

Ruslan spins to face me, eyes narrow and glaring. “What was his name?!”

“Oh, it was… it was nothing. I forget!”

“You forget?! Maybe you need a hand remembering, huh?” As he grabs my arm, on cue, one of the attendants near the elevator darts forward with every intent of defusing the situation before it turns into something that would draw far too much attention.

“Excuse me, Sir, Madam. What seems to be the problem?”

“Problem?!” Ruslan roars and as he turns, he shoves me away and into the attendant. “I pay out of my arse for a room in this place and you’re telling me some absolute scumbag can still hit on my wife in the bar?!”

“Sir, please calm down! Ma’am, are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine, I’m fine! Darling, please, let’s take this upstairs! I don’t want to argue in the foyer!”

Ruslan turns back to me and sighs deeply. “Fine.” He offers me his elbow once more, then snaps at the attendant who’s watching him like he’s a pot about to boil over. “Well?! The elevator won’t call itself!”

The poor man scrambles over himself to reach the elevator button but as we pass him and step inside, it’s visibly clear that he’s relieved we’re taking our argument elsewhere. Ruslan continues to grumble and heave until the doors slide closed.

“Did you get it?”

“Was there ever a question?” I smirk as I hold up the attendant’s access card I swiped from his pocket the moment Ruslan thrust us together. “I have my memories back and nothing was lost.”

“And yet the two hundred bucks you owe me just won’t ever be replaced.” Ruslan sighs dramatically as he pulls his phone out.

I hit the button for the penthouse and slide the access card over the reader. It beeps immediately. “You’re such a liar,” I reply. “I don’t owe you anything.”

“Was worth a shot.” Ruslan grins with his phone to his ear. “Raven? We’re on our way up now. Cass still got eyes?”