Ruins of Temptation : A Dark Enemies to Lovers Romance (Corium University Book 4) Read online

  Copyright © 2022 by Bleeding Heart Press

  www.bleedingheartpress.com

  Editing by Kelly Allenby

  Proofread by Editing for Indies

  Cover design by Opulent Swag and Design

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  TRIGGER WARNING

  This is a dark romance containing various tiggers. We will not list triggers specifically due to spoilers, but if you have any concern about a certain trigger you can reach out to us any time at [email protected]

  Thank you!

  Josi & Cassy

  CONTENTS

  Blurb

  Prologue

  1. Delilah

  2. Lucas

  3. Delilah

  4. Lucas

  5. Delilah

  6. Lucas

  7. Delilah

  8. Lucas

  9. Delilah

  10. Lucas

  11. Delilah

  12. Lucas

  13. Delilah

  14. Lucas

  15. Delilah

  16. Lucas

  17. Delilah

  18. Lucas

  19. Delilah

  20. Lucas

  21. Delilah

  22. Lucas

  23. Delilah

  24. Lucas

  25. Delilah

  26. Lucas

  27. Delilah

  28. Lucas

  29. Delilah

  30. Lucas

  31. Delilah

  32. Lucas

  33. Delilah

  34. Lucas

  35. Delilah

  36. Lucas

  About the Authors

  BLURB

  I’ve spent years trying to be someone I’m not. Controlled and humanized.

  Still, the darkness lurks inside me, waiting for a chance to break free.

  As the headmaster at Corium University, I must maintain professionalism and keep myself in check.

  I manage to do that until the day I discover I have a daughter, and all the carefully constructed walls I’ve built around myself start to crumble.

  I know I need an outlet, a way to shut it off, and then she lands in my lap.

  Delilah.

  I want to punish her, humiliate her, and hurt her in the best ways.

  It’s nothing but a game of cat and mouse till I discover the secrets she’s hiding…

  PROLOGUE

  LUCAS

  I tighten my grip around her slender throat as I fuck her wet cunt without restraint. Confusion flashes over her face a second before her baby-blue eyes go wide, searching mine for my intention. I wonder what she sees or what she thinks I’m doing. I don’t really know myself.

  Whatever she sees has her frantically grabbing at my arm holding her in place. Her mouth opens, but nothing besides a strangled gag comes out. The sound has me pumping faster, and the way her skin is turning a hue of purple has my balls tightening. Tears form in the corner of her eyes. Fascinated, I watch each one roll down the side of her cheek, wishing she was wearing makeup just so I could see it smear all over.

  Of course, Charlotte doesn’t need to wear anything on her face. She has the kind of skin other women pray for.

  Panicked, she starts fighting me in earnest, trying to push me off by bucking her hips and digging her sharp nails into my skin. Her fight only makes her pussy tighter and gets me more excited.

  I’m holding her life in my hand. I could end it now, snuff it out and watch the life drain from her eyes just like I do with the poor guys who dare to step in the ring with me.

  But this… this is different. Charlotte is an innocent woman who hasn’t done anything. She didn’t ask for this, nor does she deserve it. Maybe that’s the reason my usual numb self is so fucking excited. I’ve killed so many men that it barely scratches an itch anymore.

  Smiling, I fuck her as hard as I can. Sweat drips down my forehead, and my own breath is labored from exhaustion. Charlotte is still scratching my arm like a wild cat, scratching me so deeply that I know it’s going to leave scars.

  Her face is turning deep blue, and a small vein in her right eye has burst, filling the white part with an angry red. Grinding myself deep inside her until I finally blow. My vision blurs, and my whole body shakes from exhaustion.

  Releasing her throat, I collapse on top of her just as she struggles to suck in a breath. She immediately throws herself into a coughing fit while shoving at me, trying to push me away.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?” she creaks, barely getting out the words between her efforts to suck in air.

  “Everything,” I whisper against her skin.

  “Get off me, Lucas!” she yells in my ear, making my brain hurt.

  I roll to the side and onto my back. Charlotte scrambles off the bed and gathers her stuff in a hurry. I watch her get dressed frantically as big tears roll down her beautiful face. Her cheeks have returned to their normal color, but red-bluish spots remain on her delicate neck.

  “You came inside me. ” Her hoarse voice cracks at the end. “I told you I’m not on birth control.”

  “Take some money from the dresser.” Money fixes everything.

  “I’m not a prostitute.”

  “You oughta be with that pussy.”

  “You’re a fucking psychopath!” She leaves the room, slamming the door shut behind her before the only two words that come to my mind leave my mouth.

  “I know.”

  1

  DELILAH

  I pull back the curtain covering the window, peering out of it and into the parking lot. I’ve been hiding in this hotel room for days now, trying to build up the courage to leave town. I know I have to. It’s no longer a should scenario. There’s no other option.

  The buzzing of my phone has my heart racing in my chest. I fish it from my pocket and smile when I see his message light up the screen.

  Nash: You okay?

  Me: Yes, still at the motel, but I’m thinking about leaving.

  Nash: That’s probably a good idea. I’m telling you fucking Rossi is taking out your family.

  Family. Ha. I don’t give a shit about them. The only person I care about is Nash.

  Nash: Go to the place I told you about. You remember?

  How could I forget? He has made me memorize the address, telling me to go there if I need to lay low.

  Me: What about you? Can’t you come here and get me?

  I stare at the screen, hopeful. I wish he would just come with me.

  Nash: No. I’ll meet you there. No matter what, you go there. Even if you don’t hear from me, you’ll be safe.

  Me: Why wouldn’t I hear from you.

  Nash: I might be next.

  Me: Don’t say that.

  Just the thought of losing him has my chest aching.

  Nash: Don’t worry about me. Just go to the place and clear your phone.

  Me: Okay.

  I let the drape fall closed after staring into the mostly empty parking lot for another few seconds. I’m afraid to leave this room, but I’m more afraid of what will happen if I don’t. Just like Nash taught me, I reset the phone to manufacturer settings, deleting all calls, messages, and phone numbers saved.

  Mustering as much courage as I can, I tighten my hold on the strap of my backpack and walk toward the door.
All I have to do is leave the room and start walking toward the train station.

  Once I’m out of North Woods, it’ll be easier for me to blend in, but until then, I need to put as much distance between me and this town as possible. I open the door to the hotel room and step out into the empty hall, checking both directions for any possible assailants.

  With a person like Quinton Rossi after you, you can’t ever be too sure. Once I feel certain the coast is clear, I start my walk toward the stairwell. I force myself to ignore the loud voice in my head telling me to turn around. No matter what, I’ll never be safe here again—not after what happened.

  I descend the stairs and make my way through the hotel lobby, where the woman behind the front desk smiles at my appearance. I look away, and my stomach churns as I reach the doors, which open automatically in my presence.

  No going back after this.

  It’s all running until I get somewhere I can never be found.

  Against my better judgment, I leave the protection of the hotel and walk toward the train depot. I follow the directions on my phone, my legs moving quickly and my heart galloping in my chest as I peer over my shoulder every two seconds to make sure I’m not being followed. A van drives past slowly before coming to a stop on the road. The windows are blacked out, but that doesn’t matter. I don’t need to see inside to know who’s inside that vehicle.

  Fear ripples down my spine, and my fight-or-flight instincts kick in as soon as the door slides open, and Quinton Rossi’s form appears before me. I pedal backward and whirl around, prepared to take off at a dead run, only I’m not fast enough. Fuck. Quinton grabs me by the back of my shirt and hauls me toward the van.

  Panicking, I twist in his grip, trying to escape him. His piercing blue gaze collides with mine, and the coldness freezes me to the bone.

  “Let’s have a little chat…” He snarls, and before I can comprehend what’s happening, he’s shoving me into the van, my ass landing haphazardly on the seat while the door slams, closing me inside.

  My hands tremble as I slowly adjust myself in the seat. I can feel Quinton staring at me, and I keep my eyes trained on the floor. The van starts to move, and I wonder where he’s taking me? Not that I plan to ask him. I’m going to keep my mouth shut as long as possible.

  “Who is Nash Brookshire to you, and how do you know him?” His voice is sharp, but I ignore his question, almost as if I didn’t hear it at all. “Or maybe Matteo Valentine. Does that name ring any bells in your head?”

  I swallow around the lump of fear forming in my throat. I know the power that Quinton has and what he’ll do if he ever finds out that we’re related. Nash, on the other hand, is a different story.

  “Silence won’t save them. Hell, it won’t save you, either. One way or another, you’ll tell me what I want to know. Everyone does.” His warning is clear. He’ll do anything to get revenge. Anything.

  Even though I’m trembling, I somehow manage to keep my composure. “I have nothing to tell you.”

  “Sure, you don’t.” Quinton hisses through his teeth. “I know you’re connected to them, and I’m going to figure out in what way, even if I have to torture you until you give me the answers I want.”

  The van makes a sharp turn, and I find myself pressed against the window, my stomach churning, bile rising up in my throat. Shit, I think I’m going to be sick. Silence follows the rest of the ride, and the silence is almost worse than the repeated questioning because silence means he’s thinking, and if he’s thinking, I’m as good as dead.

  I’m not sure how long he has his men drive us around in the van, but once we come to a stop, my fear rises exponentially.

  “Where did you bring me?” I ask, trying to hide the fear in my voice.

  “Now she wants to talk. Nah, I don’t think so. That’s not how this works. I ask the questions, and you provide the answers.”

  Grabbing me by the wrist, he pulls me out of the vehicle as soon as the door slides open. My legs are jelly, but somehow, I manage to keep myself upright as he drags me toward a building that appears to be a warehouse. I look around, trying to figure out where he’s brought me, but it appears we’re in the middle of nowhere.

  Ahead, a door opens, and Quinton’s grasp on me tightens. We enter a hallway, the lights flick on as we walk inside, and I spot a couple of men following us; their heavy footfalls filter into my ears.

  I don’t even attempt to make a run for it. I’m many things, but dumb is not one of them.

  Quinton stops and opens a door to the right, pulling me inside with him, none too gently. Again, I barely manage to stay upright with the sudden movements. He’s dragging me behind him at this point. The room illuminates with a dim light that shudders on above us.

  I squint and notice the chair in the center of the room. Quinton releases me, giving me a shove toward it.

  “Sit and get comfortable because you won’t be leaving until I get the answers I want.”

  “I already told you…” My words are halted by an even harder shove toward the chair. I take the seat because I’m not sure what he’s willing to do to get me to follow his orders, and I don’t particularly want to find out. Sitting, I now face him, his face half shadowed in the dark.

  “Get the rope,” Quinton tosses the words over his shoulders.

  “Rope?” I croak. Now I regret sitting down even more. Stupid me walked right into the lion’s den.

  “Yes. I’m not going to risk you escaping. You’ll be tied to this chair until I’m satisfied with the information you provide me. From there, we’ll see what happens to your pathetic life.”

  I bite my tongue, the coppery taste of blood filling my mouth. Nothing I say to him will get me out of this room faster, and I’m not giving him the answers he seeks because I know he’ll kill all of us. One of his men walks into the room, and my gaze catches on the rope in his hand.

  Even in the dim light, I still catch the slimy smile on his lips. He’s a sick fucker, I just know it.

  “Tie her up and make it quick,” Quinton orders.

  A shiver ripples down my spine, and every instinct I have tells me to move, to try an escape, but I resist. I don’t even so much as glance at the man as he ties my legs to the chair, his touch lingering longer than necessary. His rough fingers running down the inside of my thigh makes me want to vomit. All I want to do is shove him away, but with my hands behind my back, I’m helpless to his assault.

  “That’s enough,” Quinton growls, and I almost forgot he was still here. “I want her tied up, not groped.”

  I’m surprised that he seems to have a sliver of care for what happens to me. Or he just wants to be the one doing this to me. Yes, that’s more like it. I’ve heard stories about him, and I know what he’s capable of. He probably wants to break me himself.

  Time moves at a snail’s pace for the next few hours as he starts questioning me. Minutes tick by, but it feels like hours. I want this to be over, but to end it, would mean I’d have to give him what he wants, and I’ll never do that.

  “This could all be over if you’d tell me what I want to fucking know!” Quinton yells, his voice piercing my ear drums. My stomach clenches, and my throat and tongue are so dry that it feels like I’ve been chewing on cotton balls.

  “Please, I’m hungry and tired and have nothing to tell you.”

  Rushing forward, he gets in my face and growls, and spittles of saliva land against my cheek. “You’re a fucking liar, and we both know it. Tell me what I want to know, and this can all end.”

  Tears prick at the back of my eyes, and I’m so close to exhaustion that it’s not even funny. No matter how much I blink back the tears, they still somehow escape and traitorously slide down my cheeks. I hate, with every fiber of my being, that he gets to see me so weak, but I’m past the point of caring.

  “Your tears don’t do shit to me, so if you’re trying to get me to feel bad for you, maybe try harder?”

  “I already told you half a million times that I don’t
know who they are. I know nothing and have no information for you.” The tears become bigger, and my pain and exhaustion rush to the forefront of my mind. It’s all I can feel and see.

  Quinton is resilient and refuses to show remorse. As soon as I start to give in to the exhaustion, he has one of the men toss a bucket of water at me. It’s cold and soaks me to the bone until I’m a trembling mess, and my body is ready to give out completely.

  “Please, I can’t do this anymore. I don’t have any information. Please, I’m begging you.” Maybe I would tell him what he wanted if I knew it wouldn’t get me killed. I value my life more than giving in.

  He leans in close, filling my field of vision. There’s nothing in the world but exhaustion, hunger, and cold. I can’t stop shivering. I can hardly keep my eyes open to look at him.

  He takes me by the chin and jerks my head up. There’s no light in those eyes. No soul behind them. Just endless black pits. “You’re going to tell me what I want to know.”

  “H-how can I?” My teeth are chattering so hard that I can barely speak. “W-when I have nothing you want?”

  “Come on. We both know you’re lying. You’ll lie to your dying breath to protect those fuckers. Do you honestly think they would do this for you?” He shoves my head away before backing up. “They would sell you out in a heartbeat. There’s no such thing as honor or loyalty for heartless fucks like them. Are they worth this?”