Page 14 of Ruin (Villains for Hire)

E xcitement and trepidation grew in equal measure as she listened to Ruin and Hush hash out the plan. She'd never been part of anything like this before.

For the last seven years, she’d been helpless, forced to rely on Vargot to keep her safe. The idea of fighting back, of taking down someone who wanted to hurt her, was both terrifying and thrilling.

Hush would pose as a maintenance worker and strategically plant tiny but very powerful explosives in the passageways leading to the docking bay Gaius had booked. Once they had confirmation he’d arrived, they’d sneak onto his ship where Hush would hack the security systems so they could take out as many of Gaius’s guards as possible without detection. ‘Thin the pack’, as they put it.

While Hush was taking care of any stragglers, Ruin would advance to Gaius’s rooms, with Hush following when he was able.

Taking advantage of a pause in the conversation, Lira cleared her throat, drawing both males' attention. “What can I do to help?”

Ruin's expression softened. Shifting his hand from her shoulder to the back of her neck, he stroked her cheek and jaw with his thumb. “You've done more than enough, little bird. This part's dangerous. I want you safe, not in the line of fire.”

A flicker of disappointment mixed with relief flashed through her. A large part of her wanted to argue, to prove herself useful, to be more than just a burden. But another part, the part that still flinched at sudden movements and woke up in cold sweats, was grateful for the out.

Hush, however, cocked his head to the side, those mesmerizing golden eyes examining her closely. “Now, now, Ruin. Don't be so quick to dismiss our little morsel. After all, she did save your colorless hide from that Lo’yr, didn't she?”

Ruin growled, low and warning, but Lira found herself sitting up a little straighter. Maybe she could help after all. She might not be a trained mercenary or assassin, but she had other skills. Skills honed from years of survival under Vargot's cruel reign.

“I'm good at going unnoticed,” she offered hesitantly. “And I can fit into small spaces. Maybe I could be a lookout? Or create a distraction if needed?”

The moment the words left her mouth, she wanted to take them back. Had she lost her mind? This was way out of her depth. But to her surprise, both Ruin and Hush were peering at her with something akin to approval.

Hush clapped his hands together, the sound startlingly loud in the small room. “Ha! See? I told you she'd surprise us. I like her, Ruin. You sure we can’t keep her?”

Ignoring his friend, Ruin peered down at her searchingly. “You sure about this, little bird?”

“I’m sure. I want to help.”

A muscle ticked in his temple as he clenched and unclenched his teeth until, finally, he blew out a hard breath. “Alright. But I want your word you’ll stay hidden if shit goes wrong.”

“I promise.”

“Excellent! Now that’s settled, what’cha got for food in here? I’m starved.”

After Ruin pointed out the crates of food, Lira watched on, highly amused, as Hush rifled through the packages, bemoaning the selection. Arms full, he straightened and slid Ruin a glare.

“I see your tastes haven’t improved in the couple weeks we’ve been apart.”

Ruin shrugged. “If it ain’t fresh, it’s just fuel.”

“Fuel, he says,” Hush muttered, dumping his armload onto another nearby crate. “No wonder you're such a grump. Your taste buds are probably atrophied.”

Grumpy? She couldn’t think of a single time he’d been churlish with her. Warmed by the thought that he treated her differently than he did even his closest friend, she settled more firmly against his side.

In reaction, as though it were as natural as breathing, he slid his arm around her shoulders with a casual possessiveness that made her heart skip.

After sliding two tall crates side by side and setting up a little cooking station, Hush laid out the food he’d gathered and eyed the selection assessingly.

“I think I can whip together somethin’ respectable outta this.” He looked up and pointed his tail right at her. “If you don’t like it, blame him.”

Her lips twitched, fighting a smile. “I’m sure it’ll be delicious.”

He winked at her. “Flattery will get you everywhere in life.”

As he busied himself with meal prep, Lira found herself engrossed in the banter between the two males. It was clear they had a long history, their words laced with inside jokes and shared experiences.

She couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at their easy camaraderie. She couldn’t remember what it was like to have a friend.

“You don’t have to put yourself in danger, you know,” Ruin murmured. “There’s no shame in stayin’ back.”

She tilted her head to peer up at him, taking in the concern in his bright eyes. “I know. But I want to. I'm tired of being helpless. I want to be useful.”

He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “You're not helpless, love. Far from it. You survived seven years of cruelty without breakin’. That takes tremendous strength.”

Warmth bloomed in her chest at his words, and she had to blink back sudden tears. Before she could respond, Hush's voice cut through the moment.

“If you two are done twirling your tails together, food’s ready!”

Her cheeks heated, but instead of allowing herself to shrink in, she wrinkled her nose at him impishly, making both him and Ruin laugh. Anything she might’ve said, however, was interrupted by her stomach growling.

The aromas wafting from the plates Hush arranged on the table were mouthwatering.

“Oh gods, that smells good. What is it?”

“ Si’kava sunstew,” Hush replied proudly, ladling a heaping portion into one of the mismatched dishes and setting it in front of her. “Tastes even better than it smells.”

When they all had their bowls, she took a tentative bite. Flavors exploded across her tongue—rich, savory, with a kick of spice. There was no stopping the moan of relish that slipped free.

Hush grinned, tail twitching and bouncing happily. “Amazin’, isn’t it?”

“Mmhm!”

As they ate, Hush regaled her with tales of past jobs. The time they infiltrated a Nyxian temple disguised as acolytes, and when they accidentally stumbled into the middle of a Voragon mating ritual.

She found herself laughing more than she had… ever, maybe, her sides aching as he described their narrow escape from the Voragons.

“So there we were,” he said, gesticulating wildly with his spoon, “stark naked and covered in ceremonial oil, with a dozen pissed off Vors hot on our tails?—”

“Hush,” Ruin interrupted, but there was a glimmer of amusement in his yellow eyes.

“Oh, c’mon, it's a great story! Anyway, we're runnin’ through this jungle, right? And suddenly we hear this almighty roar behind us. I look back and there's this absolutely massive female Vor barrelin’ after us, faster than anyone that big has a right to move. And she’s eyein’ this one like he’s her favorite snac?—”

“She was lookin’ at you .”

“Oh ho, nuh-uh! Wasn’t my tree she tried to climb.”

“Wait, tree?” she asked.

Hush nodded eagerly. “For being a subterranean people, you wouldn’t think Lurians can climb well, but he scaled that tree faster than a Tiktik with its ass on fire.”

She burst out laughing, nearly choking on her bite. As she caught her breath, she noticed Ruin watching her, his expression soft and warm. It made her heart flutter in a way that was becoming dangerously familiar.

“You’d think she’d call it quits then, yeah? Go after easier prey to mate. But no. She wanted Ruin somethin’ fierce. Tried luring him down with, what was it?”

Ruin shook his head, a wry smile on his lips. “Fuckin’ fl?—”

Beep, beep, beep.

The lighthearted mood vanished in an instant. Ruin lifted his arm and rapidly scanned the readout on his interface.

“Enemies on approach. Eight, heavily armed.”

He and Hush both surged to their feet and already had their weapons strapped on by the time her mind finished comprehending what was happening.

“Lira, stay here. Bot, protect her. Hush, on me.”

And then they were gone, leaving her gaping at the door. The sudden silence was deafening after the laughter and banter of seconds before.

Leaping to her feet, she rushed to put on the special, armored clothes and boots Ruin bought her, strapped on her little pistol and various blades, then threw her cloak back over her shoulders.

Finished, she stood in the middle of the little room, heart pounding. When that became unbearable, she paced, then rushed to the door and pressed her ear to it.

Nothing. Not even the faintest, muffled sound.

Indecision tore at her. Did she follow Ruin’s orders and stay put, or did she give in to the stomach-wrenching paranoia that by not being out there, something bad would happen to him?

If he was hurt, or worse, where did she want to be? Hiding in here like a weakling, or out there, fighting by his side?

The answer was easy and immediate.

As soon as she started toward the door, the bot gave a sharp trill, wings quivering agitatedly. Setting her shoulders, she cut it a hard look.

“I’m going. You can go with me, or you can stay here, but I’m going.”

After a second, it made a decidedly reluctant ssspeep , and moved to her side. Supremely relieved to have it with her, she opened the door and stepped out.

The corridor beyond was dark and eerily silent. She crept forward, straining her senses for any sign of the battle.

A muffled boom suddenly shook the floor beneath her feet, startling her so badly she almost screamed. Gunfire erupted in the distance on the heels of that explosion, punctuated by shouts and the clash of metal on metal.

This is a terrible idea.