Page 81 of Ruin Me With Lies

Understanding, he nods vigorously, “I can get it done!I can get it done!I’ll get it done!”

“Now that’s the spirit.”I lower my gun.“Congratulations.You’re the new President.I’ll be in touch.”

Between the rancid air down here and the warzone pulsing in my skull, I damn near power-walk out of that pit.

~

BY THE TIMEI wrap things up and make it back to Black Gold, the painkillersfinallykick in, taking the edge off.

At this rate, putting a bullet in my own brain is starting to feel like a reasonable solution to these migraines.

If I thought my twin could survive without me, I would...

Speak of the devil.

In my office.Lounging and sipping my whiskey.

He’swhat keeps me from putting that bullet in my head.

“Something wrong with your own office?”I ask as I stroll in.“Your own whiskey?”

“Nope.”He swirls the ice in his glass.“Just needed to get away from everyone for a bit.And no one comes near your office.”

He leans back, relaxed.“You know, I used to wonder why you tucked your space all the way back here.But these days, I’m starting to get it.”

“Go find your own damn haven.”I take off my jacket and toss it over an armchair.“Stay out of mine.”

“If that’s your attitude, then go find your own damn assistant,” he shoots back.“You’ve had Raya long enough.”

A strange, intense feeling tightens in my chest at the sound of her name.

For the past week and a half, I’ve been using her to fill in for Gio, handling the administrative shit he usually takes care of.A role she slipped into with ease.Had everyone marching to her beat in no time.

Watching her these past few days has been...interesting.

In my quiet observation, I’ve realized people have no problem handing their trust over to her like it’s an offering.Because her knowledge is deep, her confidence clean and commanding.It puts them at ease.

She’s a natural mollifier.The kind that lulls you into a false sense of security, while she slowly coils around you like a python.

And that…that makes her dangerous.Lethal.Every reasonnotto trust her.

Still...I’m not ready to give her back yet.Watching her has become my new favorite thing.

“When Gio’s better—”

“Gioisbetter,” Lorenzo cuts in.“The fucker’s just milking it to keep Raya around.Playing the sick card to slack off and soak up her attention.”

That feeling in my chest shifts.Burns.A harsh, unwelcome heat that flares every time I hear of Gio and Raya together.

Don’t know why the fuck that is.But I’d greatly appreciate it if it wouldcut the shit.

I rub my chest and glance over at my desk, at the locked wooden box where I’ve stashed all her random shit that she leaves around my office each day.Hair ties, lip balms, earrings, hair clips, nail file, Rubik’s cube, fidget spinner, EarPods, chewing gums… The pile keeps growing.And I have no intention of giving them back.

If I giveherback, I won’t have that twinge of indescribablethingI feel whenever I walk in and find whatever new piece of her she left behind.

“We make a hell of a lot more progress when she’s working with me,” Lorenzo says.“Tell Gio to quit the bullshit and get back to work.”

“You’re acting like you didn’t used to function perfectly fine without her.”