Page 7 of Ruin

Not, Did we have a boy or a girl? Or, How is my kid doing?

God, I hate him.

I stare at him, wondering how I ever loved this man.

Zeus was always beautiful; there’s never been any doubt about that. In the early days of his career, the press dubbed him The Pretty Boy of Boxing. I remember how much he hated that nickname. Nowadays, they call him The God.

I think he’s The Devil.

But he’s no longer the pretty-boy beautiful he was back then.

Now, he’s ruggedly handsome. Even with the too-many-times broken nose and the scar that cuts through his eyebrow. I remember the fight in which he got that scar. It was over me. He still has his trademark stubble on his cheeks, which I know is actually softer to the touch than it looks. And his dark hair, which he always wore shaved, is now styled—still short at the sides but longer on top.

And his eyes…they were the first things I noticed about him. If I had to give them a color, I’d say azure. The bluest of blue. Eyes with the depths of the ocean. You stare into them, and they give away nothing but make you feel everything.

He might be physically stunning to look at, but inside of him is a totally different story.

He steps closer. His scent washes over me—familiar yet unfamiliar. He’s changed his aftershave. He always used to wear Burberry Touch. It was my favorite aftershave. I used to buy it for him.

I guess he rid himself of everything that was me.

Including his child.

Something akin to a knife sticks in my heart.

“Dove, I asked you a question. What are you doing here?” His grip on my arm increases, his brows pulling together in frustration.

I see a hint of anger in his eyes. And it sparks me back to life.

He has the gall to demand an answer from me after what he’s done?

Fuck. That.

I want to spit on him in disgust. But I don’t. I keep my dignity—unlike the last time we spoke five years ago.

I fill my eyes with the contempt I feel for him, years’ worth of hate and anger, and I grind out, “Don’t call me that. My name is Cam. And what do you think I’m doing? I’m working, asshole.”

I yank my arm from his hand and hurry to the staff room door. I punch in the code on the keypad, unlocking the door. I rush through it, letting it close behind me, to the sound of his voice calling my name.

Hands still shaking, I turn the key in the ignition, and my Toyota comes to life. Halsey’s “Eyes Closed” bleeds out of the stereo. I drive out of the club’s staff parking lot and start the hour journey home to Port Washington—to the home I share with Gigi and Aunt Elle. Technically, I still live at home, as it’s Aunt Elle’s house.

Aunt Elle moved to Port Washington from Coney Island when she got promoted to detective and was given a post at the precinct there. She could’ve commuted, but it seemed pointless, as I wasn’t living at home anymore. I was at Juilliard and living in New York at the time.

But, when I found myself pregnant and alone, going to live with Aunt Elle was the only option. And, honestly, I was glad not to have to go back to Coney Island. The place held nothing but memories of Zeus and our relationship there. Also, I didn’t want to risk running into any of his family there either.

So, Port Washington was my new start. And life has been working out pretty well for me—well, up until a short time ago, that is.

I left work early. I had to get out of that place. So, I told my boss I was sick, and I needed to go home.

I couldn’t risk going back out into the club and seeing Zeus again.

Seeing him after all these years…it’s knocked me on my ass.

And the fact that he tried to talk to me…I just don’t get it.

He’d made it perfectly clear that he wanted nothing to do with Gigi or me all those years ago, so why did he now come over to me and try to speak to me?

I’m just relieved that I won’t have to see him again. I’m going to quit my job. He probably won’t show his face at the club again, but I don’t want to take the chance. My emotions can’t take it.