Page 4 of Vows of Ruin

After a minute, I exhale and look over at her. “Can I ask you something?”

“Always.”

“How does it work… you know. With you, Riot, and Elias?”

She tilts her head, thoughtful. “It just—does. It’s messy sometimes, sure. But it’s real. They both love me. I love them. And we’re a team. No weird jealousy shit, no drama. We talk. A lot.”

I nod, chewing on her words. Then softly, “I think I’m entertaining the idea.”

She smiles, genuine and warm. “You should. Just make sure you talk to Max first.”

“I know,” I say, sipping my drink. “I need to. I will. I just… needed a second not to freak out first.”

Margot laughs again, clinking her glass against mine. “To not freaking out.”

I toast her weakly. “To maybe being in love with two men who already love me.”

She winks. “Welcome to the club.”

We pass the joint again, sinking deeper into the garden’s hush, the music from inside barely drifting out. The tequila’s warm in my veins. My thoughts are even warmer. And for the first time in a long time, I wonder what it might feel like to let myself have it all.

Max steps out onto the patio, the door creaking slightly as it closes behind him. He spots us instantly, his eyes locking with mine, and a smile spreads across his face. That smile. The one he knows drives me crazy. Cocky, confident, a little crooked.

I narrow my eyes at him playfully. “So… you’ve exposed some big revelations today.”

He walks over slowly, hands sliding into his pockets like he has all the time in the world. “Yeah,” he says, voice low and smooth. “It’s about damn time, too.”

I can’t help the little giggle that escapes me. The tequila probably isn’t helping. “Well, I need to know how you feel about this.”

Margot, God bless her, is perched on the edge of her seat beside me, eyes wide, lips sealed, clearly living for the drama but trying very hard not to interfere. Max glances her way and then looks at me like he’s waiting for her to leave.

I roll my eyes. “She already knows everything.”

He exhales a laugh. “Of course she does.”

Margot grins but wisely keeps her mouth shut.

“Well then,” Max says, stepping a little closer. “Let’s talk.”

There’s a beat of silence before he speaks again. “Yes, I know he loves you. I’ve known for a long time now. And I have a strong feeling,” he says, locking eyes with me, “That you love him too.”

My cheeks grow warm. It might be from the tequila. Might not be. “How do you feel about that?”

He shrugs, casual but not dismissive. “I like the idea.”

I blink. “You really want to share me?”

He moves a little closer, voice softer. “Reaper’s the only person I’d ever feel one hundred percent secure sharing you with. He loves you. I trust him. And I know you.”

I take a shaky breath. And then, very quietly, like the words might shatter if I say them too loudly, I murmur. “I do have feelings for him.”

Max nods, no hesitation in his eyes. “Then let’s go talk with Reaper. We’ll need ground rules for this to work.”

I nod and take the hand he offers, letting him pull me to my feet. Before we walk off, I glance back at Margot, who’s practically vibrating with excitement. Her grin is obscene. She clutches her chest dramatically. “This is the hottest shit I’ve ever witnessed. I’m going to need a cold shower and a cigarette just from watching.”

I groan. “You’re impossible.”

“I’m a cheerleader for chaos.” She sing-songs.