Ruin Me (Savage Bosses)

Chapter 36

CHAPTER 36

M adison

I’d dropped my mask and had been trying for days to put it back on. Ever since the night I told Kent about finding the evidence that cleared him of murder, he’d changed. As if he continued to blame himself when the dam I’d built to hide from my dismay broke. As if he didn’t believe me when I forgave him for forcing my confession.

A part of me understood I was at fault for his continued misunderstanding. Because I still lived with dread hanging over my head, but not the kind Kent assumed. The spankings provided an outlet for me to release the emotions I bottled inside myself. However, that night, neither of us expected everything I’d withheld from him to gush out of me so violently. Since then, I hadn’t addressed his misread of the situation for fear he would discover my other concern. Regardless of my intention, after tonight I’ll exchange my worries for something far more depressing.

“I can’t believe you convinced me to have this party.” Kent strode out of the walk-in closet as he tied his bowtie.

I stared in awe, drinking in everything about him. His freshly trimmed beard, the rueful grin on his pink lips, his gelled hair begging for me to rumple a few strands. So many things I would miss.

I placed my hands over his. “Let me.”

As I retied his tie, an excuse to feel his heat and be close to him, he stared at me. Warmth, love, and concern shone from his gaze.

“After this party, we’re going to have a serious discussion about our future. We need to plan around your company in D.C. If you commute, what that’ll look like, or if your company moves to Douglas.” Kent stroked the side of my face. “It’ll be less of an issue once I open a Luxe Locations office there. Then we’ll commute together. Maybe even move there permanently.”

“I didn’t know you planned to expand into D.C.”

“Other than the hotel already there, I didn’t.”

“Then, why?”

“Little bunny, I understand your major client base is in D.C. I would never ask you to sacrifice your success especially as you’re still growing your brand and reputation. So, if that means I meet you where you need to be, as your man and partner, I will. Plus, how long do you think I can survive nights away from you?”

“Why do I think your last point outweighed all the others?” I patted his beautifully tied neckwear, trying not to tear up at his thoughtfulness.

“Because you know I need my little bunny more than air itself.” Kent leaned forward and pressed his lips against my forehead.

I closed my eyes, relishing the softness of the kiss and his body heat. With a sigh, I stepped away. “If you don’t leave soon, you’ll be late,” I said.

“You aren’t even dressed yet.” He studied my robe, then peered at the dress I picked to wear tonight laying on the bed beside a curled-up Tyger.

Kent’s silent acceptance of the gown meant it met with his approval. Otherwise, he would have voiced his opinion while shredding it into unwearable strips. Although I enjoyed teasing Kent with certain outfits, tonight, my mood was too somber to torment him.

I patted his chest, needing to feel him beneath my touch for reassurance. “I’m not driving with you. I have something I need to pick up on my way to the venue.” I was doing the right thing, even if he wouldn’t agree once he discovered my plan.

Kent clasped my hips, bringing me closer. “I can have someone pick it up in your place. I think I’m going to be thirsty on the ride to the party, and only you can quench my need.”

A shiver of desire zinged through my blood, calling to my pussy. “You know how to tempt me.” I pulled his hands from my sides. “But I need to inspect the surprise to make sure it’s perfect.”

Kent stared at me and I opened my eyes wide, praying I showed him the love I felt for him and not the other emotions I hid underneath. Finally, he nodded and kissed me.

“I’ll miss you every second we’re apart,” he whispered, his lips inches from mine.

This time, I lurched forward and kissed him, deeper than our first. I memorized the contour of his mouth, the texture of his tongue, and the hard planes of his teeth. I didn’t want to let go, but I did.

His blue eyes blazed with passion, probably equal to the fever in my gaze. When he leaned forward again, I pressed my finger to his mouth.

“You’ll never leave if I let you do what you’re thinking.”

“So?”

“I spent a lot of time planning this party. You don’t want to disappoint me, do you?”

He hung his head and sighed. “Only for you, little bunny.” He straightened. “Don’t keep me waiting.”

“I won’t,” I said.

As soon as he left. I threw off my robe and enacted my plan. Frantic, I ran around collecting my things and throwing them in a suitcase.

“So you do intend to keep your promise.”

I lurched with my heart thundering in my chest. “You scared me, Ife. Why are you here?”

She shrugged and fully entered the bedroom while looking around at my half-packed bags. Tyger had moved from beside my dress to make a bed inside a bag.

“So many days have passed since Hal’s arrest, I thought you forgot and wanted to renege on our deal.”

I sat and stared at her. “You won’t change your mind about wanting me to leave? Despite knowing what your father and I mean to each other?”

Ife hugged herself. “Why don’t you understand? Every time I look at the two of you it’s like a knife stabbing me in my heart. Do you think it’s easy to cut you out of my life? Do you think I want to hurt my father? You were the sister I never had, and you destroyed my trust. We can’t rebuild while you’re around my father. Especially if you want me and my dad to repair our bond. You must understand that if nothing else.”

I swallowed the distasteful truth. She was right. If I stayed, Kent would push for us to deepen our relationship until I said I do to vows I could only imagine ever saying to him. I stood, feeling ancient, defeated, and bruised. “I don’t have much time before Kent becomes suspicious. You should leave and keep him distracted. Buy me time to disappear.”

Ife eyed me, then glanced at Tyger peacefully purring inside my luggage. “Are you taking the animals with you?”

I stared with longing at my first and only cat. I stroked his soft fur and shook my head. “I’m already taking so much from him. Kent will need them when he’s alone.”

“Alright. You have maybe forty-five minutes before my dad suspects anything. You need to be long gone by then.”

I nodded and shoved more clothes into my bag. “Ife, please know, I love you so much. I’ll run to you whenever you call.”

She sniffed and turned her back. “I don’t know how soon that will be. My pain runs deep.” She left without another word.

When I had everything I intended to carry, I left an envelope on my pillow. I recognized the cowardly act for what it was. I lacked the courage to end things to his face, but I needed him to understand why I had to leave. Being with me would only bring him lifelong regrets. He’d already proven to anyone out to get him I was his weakness.

One day, he would make one sacrifice too many on my behalf, and I couldn’t allow him to do that.

I bid farewell to Benson, Stabler, and Tyger, telling them to be good to their daddy, and I walked away from the best future I could ever have hoped for.