Page 89 of Beautifully Ruined

Except… as I pushed open the door the place was far from jumping.

The dark woods and brass place has a cozy feel, but the moment my foot set down on the floor beyond the door, I was anything but cozy.

The click of the door lock rings in my ears still.

There’s one table. Cade sits there in a suit with a man who looks rich, powerful, and the kind of cruel I don’t like.

He’s a man who’s used to getting his way, and he reminds me of Isaac, if Isaac had been richer and more powerful.

My heart thumps so loud, and the blood roars in my ears, drowning out the man’s words as one of the thugs takes my arm.

My gaze locks on Cade who looks to me like a stranger has taken him over.

Cold, detached. Like I’m nothing.

I glance around.

A girl stands there in skintight clothes, she’s by the back wall near the bar, like she’s waiting, and her eyes are locked on the man.

I swallow because he speaks again.

“Sit down, little girl. You’ve made me repeat myself once. Don’t make me do it a second time.” Then he gestures at the girl who scurries over, eyes still on me. “Would you like a drink?”

I hesitate, ice tumbling fast through my veins. I don’t know what I’ve walked in on, but it’s clear it’s important.

It’s even more clear that I shouldn’t be here.

This is a very high-on-demand place. It should be crowded.

We’re the only people here and every nerve end screams for me to get out, screams this is wrong.

And then through all that frantic noise in me comes one clear thought, like a high note. Is this the type of thing Cade does on the regular?

In the suit, he’s devastating, the kind of man I normally don’t look at, but one I think maybe I should.

The suit looks beyond expensive, and it’s a three piece, and yet he’s so utterly Cade, with The Ghost looking out from inside him, a deadly, quiet power that makes me want to drool.

I suck in a breath. “Yes. White wine, please.”

The corner of Cade’s mouth flickers up in a microscopic way, but I see it. Hug it to me.

What I should have said was I need to go, that I shouldn’t be here. Maybe I can get away with pretending I walked in the wrong place. That I don’t know Cade.

But I looked at him when I walked in.

The man clocked it.

Just by looking, it’s crystal clear this man is dangerous, and lies might get me killed.

So might the truth.

Problem is I don’t know exactly what to do. Do I make up a wild tale so Cade can claim I’ve escaped the padded room he keeps for me at his place?

Do I?—

The girl turns to me. “Can I also take your coat?”

“Ye—” Horror streaks through me, and I rear back into the big man who just released my arm, clutching my coat tight like it’s my entire reason for breathing.