Rook

This should have been a story about the youngest sibling being rescued and returned to his family grateful, happy—overcome with gratitude to be safe and home again.

What a crock of sh*t that is.

That isn't how my story goes, I'm not grateful, and I sure as hell am not thankful. I lived in fear for eight months while my family lived happily, banged their girls, procreated, and carried on like I didn't even exist.

Nah, this isn't some story with a happy ending.

This is the story of how they all came to be Ruined by the Rook—especially her.

Clare

In four years, he has changed so much.

He used to be kind, loving, funny—but now, he's ruthless, angry, and downright cold. Darkness never clung to him before—now, he's shrouded in it.

I swore I would never come back to this place, I told myself Rook Murdoch was dead to me.

One look at him and all my feelings come rushing back, the shame, guilt, lust, and—worst of all—love.

The way he looks at me now tells me he wants to see me burn in agony; I have nothing left to lose, and I won't survive running from him again.

If allowing him to bully me and set me ablaze is what he needs to heal from his demons, then I'll happily be Ruined by the Rook.