Page 34 of King of Ruin

And get Luke back.

We pull into a back alley, a salesclerk already waiting with a large clothing bag dangling from her hand.

“I’ve taken the liberty of having all the goods you need for Maddie assembled for us. We’ll hardly step out of the car.”

“That’s usually my job.”

Mason gives me a smile. “I have an eye for detail too, little brother. And Maddie was easy. I just said she looked like Marilyn Monroe. Lots of chest, tiny waist, nice ass?—"

“Mason.” I cut him off, the growl in my voice a clear indicator of where I stand. His eyes narrow in response.

Jack pulls up and gets out of the car, taking the bag and placing it in the trunk before returning to the car. “Pet store?”

“Yes.” I scrub my face. “I’ll call them now.”

I call a boutique shop that assures me they’ll have a care package together in the next half hour. When I hang up, I stare at the phone, feeling like shit about the choices I’ve made today.

“How much did that cost you?” Mason asks with a chuckle.

“Who knows,” I shake my head.

Jack snorts from the front. “Like you care about the cost. What you should be worried about is how many distractions it’s going to take. What’s next? A parrot?”

I drop my hands. “Hopefully not.”

“What then?” Mason asks, lifting a brow.

“He’s seducing her,” Jack answers for me.

I frown. For some reason, I don’t like talking about what Maddie and I are doing behind closed doors. It’s never botheredme before. I mean, I don’t go out of my way to share sexual conquests, but it doesn’t irritate me. Not usually. Not like today. My fingers clench into a fist.

This is not information I want Mason to have.

“Already?” Mason leans back, giving me a long stare.

I shrug. “The opportunity was there. I took it.” The words sit bitter on my tongue.

But Mason doesn’t look pleased. “Be careful with that one.”

“If you’re thinking that she’s somehow going to take advantage, you don’t need to worry.”

“I told you last night, her connection with Vigo makes her a suspect,” he answers. “And Maddie’s got that deadly combination of beauty and innocence that can trap a man, if he’s not careful. If they wanted to plant a spy, they couldn’t have chosen better.”

It’s totally true. “A blind spy,” I grunt. But I know his theory has merit. Still, she seemed legitimately shocked by my identity this morning. “You didn’t see her this morning. She freaked out when she found out who I was. She’d have to be a first-rate actress.”

“Just be careful.”

I nod my agreement. Spy or no, Maddie needs a strong man to look after her. And me, I’m nearly as strong as they come. “If you think I’m going to catch feelings. You needn’t worry. Mom cured me of any need I have to look after a needy woman.”

“Mom?”

I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not going to fall in love, if that’s what you’re afraid of.”

“I sometimes forget how much more you were with her at the end. Leo and I were both off already. But you had to watch?—"

I cut him off. “You don’t think I have the stomach for this.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”