Page 118 of Beautifully Ruined

I grin. “I treat her very well.”

Jack shudders. “Too much information, man.”

“Asshole.”

“Dick.”

And like that, I have my brother back.

I clear my throat. “Did you want to join us for dinner? It’s late, I know, but we’re having pizza and maybe pasta?”

“I can’t. I’m on my way to work. Bartending, and it’s the late shift.”

“Okay, soon.” Thing is, I know bars and how they work, and no one tends to start this late.

Jack looks like he just clocked off. But I don’t think he’s ready to see Vi yet.

“We’ll talk soon,” I say, closing the door after he leaves.

The door to my bedroom opens. “Was that Jack? What did he want?”

“To apologize for the other night.”

She turns red, and I pull her into my arms where she drops her head against my chest. “Ugh, we’re the ones who should be apologizing.”

“Should we now?”

She nods. “He sure got a show.”

“He didn’t seem too bothered by it.” I kiss her nose as she looks up at me. “He’s got a job, hates his friends…living with them, that is. And he pretty much gave us his blessing.”

Vi laughs. “Did we need it?”

“Not really, but I bet it makes you feel better.”

“It does. And I’m glad you’re mending your relationship with Jack. I hate the idea I’m the reason you two don’t talk.”

I kiss her softly, and she slides her arms around my neck. “That was never going to be a thing. Jack just needed a few days, you know?”

“He’ll need longer than that. If he’s honest, he will. These things take time. But I hope he can be part of our lives again soon.”

“You’re a wise woman, Vi. And I’d like that, too.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

VIOLET

I don’t mind goingto the club. In fact, I’d probably love it if it wasn’t owned by the oily Thomas.

We’ve been a few times now, over the last week. No big displays from us, and I like watching all those well-dressed people as well as all the ones in latex, in leather. And I love the displays they have on the main floor.

Sometimes, it’s sex, other times, it’s whips or bondage.

The master or mistress is always cool and focused entirely on the sub. And even if it’s not something I’m into, it’s compelling, a turn on.

The outfits I wear are less revealing for the week we go.

I’m sort of fractured with work and my every day clothes and this heady world of sex and sin and dark fantasy. But I don’t forget my mission.