Ruin (Gods, #1)

by Samantha Towle

“Yeah. Doves represent peace because they look beautiful and appear gentle and fragile. But they’re actually feisty as hell. They have more fight in them than people realize. Just like you.”

“For you. I came for you, Dove.” Then, without another word, he turns and walks away. And I let him.

“I fucked up, Cam.” His voice is rough. “You think I don’t know this? I know. Jesus, do I know. But I’m trying here.” He scrubs a hand over his head. “I’ve made so many mistakes. But no more. I’m gonna do right by you and Gigi.” “I don’t need you to do right by me. Only Gigi.”

“I don’t think you understand, so I’m just going to make it plainly clear. I want you back.” “You…what?” “I want you back.”

“I didn’t cheat on you.” I stop. “What did you say?” His eyes hold mine as he gently shakes his head. “I didn’t cheat on you, Dove.” “But you said—” “I lied.”

“But then, when I saw you in the club that night, dancing on that fucking podium, with that asshole trying to feel you up…” He breathes out heavily. “You were supposed to be onstage at the New York City Ballet, for fuck’s sake. Right there and then, I knew I’d screwed up.

“But, when I came here and found out about Gigi…Jesus.” He grabs the back of his neck, tipping his head back to the dark sky. “I’d given you up, and it was all for nothing. And, even worse, I’d missed out on four years of my daughter’s life.”

“Letting you go was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.” His voice is rough. “Harder than watching my mother’s body being lowered into that grave. I loved you so much, Dove. I still do. I’ve never stopped loving you. And I’ve spent the last five years missing you.”

“And that’s the reason I’ll never believe a single thing you tell me, Zeus. Because, when you love someone—really love them—you fight for them. You fight hard and dirty, no matter the cost to yourself. And not once have you ever fought for me.”

“I fucking love you. I’ve loved you since I was seventeen years old and saw you standing at the fair, looking like the answer to a question I didn’t know I’d asked. I knew it then, and I still know it now. There is no one else for me. I’m yours. And you sure as hell are mine. We’re meant to be together. And the more you fight me on this, the more I’ll fight back—and twice as hard. And I’ll fight dirty if I have to. For as long as necessary. I’m here and ready to do this to get you back with me—where you belong. I’ve never lost a fight, Dove. And I don’t intend on losing this one. You’re far too fucking important to me for that to happen.”

The man is my weakness. My downfall. My ruin. He always has been. And it seems that he always will be.

This man…he ruins me. Every word. Every look. Every touch. But there’s no one I’d rather be ruined by than him.