Ruin (Rhodes #1) by Rina Kent

                             ‘Yes, please.’ Aunt’s excited voice fills my head.

                             “The answer is no.”

                             “But, Aaron!” She pouts, the gesture so fake I want to choke the bad actress out of her. “When did you stop being fun?”

                             ‘We’re asking the same question, lady.’

                             Screw off, demons.

                             “Probably since you’ve became a coward.” I lean closer to breathe her too strong perfume. “Why are you hiding far away from the centre of the banquet? Are you perhaps... avoiding someone?”

                             She purses her lips, but her tone is still jokey. “Seriously? Why would I avoid anyone? People avoid me.”

                             “How about... Dylan?”

                             Her face contorts. I smile. It’s always fun to see her reaction whenever he’s mentioned. Even someone as Celeste has a weakness. It’s my pleasure to exploit it.

                             “Do you want me to call him?” I continue. “Perhaps chat about how you left him with a hole in his shoulder?”

                             “Yes, let’s do that.” She swallows down her reaction and plasters a wide grin. “Let’s also chat about the pet you’re hiding under his nose. Would he and Tristan let you be after you targeted an innocent?”

                             A knife hits me right in the face. I brought a weakness upon myself and that weakness is Mae.

                             What the hell is wrong with me?

                             I push those thoughts away to focus on my ex-partner whom I always thought I had no weaknesses like she does.

                             Guess we’re too alike after all.

                             To protect my freedom, I need to find an opening to take Celeste away and finish her life.

                             My eyes drift back to the hall. Tristan is conversing with Lowell and his family. Dylan’s busy with some old lady whose name I can’t remember. I search for the pig face. Nothing. There’s no sign of Hampton.

                             When I glance back to Celeste. She’s gone too.

                             God fucking dammit.

                             “Xan!” I call, and he comes out after a few beats. “Close the front gates. Don’t let neither Celeste nor Hampton get away. Don’t question them until I come. No mistakes are allowed, do you understand?”

                             “Yes, Sir.”

                             I storm through the hall, keeping my strides as composed as I can possibly manage.

                             Tristan walks to me with furrowed brows. “Where do you think you’re going? The banquet isn’t over.”

                             I give him my back-the-fuck-off glare. “Not now. I mean it.”

                             Once I reach the outside terrace, I run to my quarters and dial Kane. The more the phone rings, the louder the unusual sounds echo in my chest.