Ruin Me, Mr X

The Commune

ALARIC

“That’s the only way out,” Manuel said, pacing back and forth in my room.

I stared at the mark on my shoulder through the mirror before glancing down at my bare chest.

The memory of how the mark had gotten there flashed through my mind.

“It’s not,” I said as I walked toward the bed where I had tossed my shirt earlier. I picked it up and pulled it over my head.

“What? No. I might be wrong about the mark. Anyone can get it...” he tried to explain, but I glared at him.

His mouth shut instantly, and he lifted his hands in surrender.

I walked toward him with my jaw clenched tightly. “You know damn well not everyone has that kind of mark on them. The exact same mark as the Commune, the people who want nothing but my head.”

The expression on his face changed drastically.

“So you’re saying the Commune planted her in your life on purpose?” he asked. “I know your family is tied to the criminal syndicate, the Red Spares, and they’re rivals of the Commune. Even the public hasn’t been able to get accurate information about where they operate or who runs them.”

“No one even knows your family is tied to the Red Spares, so how is that possible?” he added with a frown.

I glanced away, my mind running through every person who could have possibly leaked information about me, but no one came to mind.

If the Commune was truly back, then more bloodshed would follow.

My hands clenched tightly as the memory of the first life I took flashed through my mind.

She had the same mark as Sable.

This couldn’t be a coincidence.

I shut my eyes briefly and shook my head.

I’ll never let it happen again.

“So what are you going to do now?” Manuel asked as he walked toward me. “If she was truly planted in your life, then we need to know why. Who knows what she could do to you?”

I shook my head. “It can’t be. I already ran a background check on her before giving her the job. There’s no way she’s part of the organization.”

Manuel sighed heavily and rested his hands on his waist. He gave me a look that clearly said he didn’t believe a word coming out of my mouth.

I glanced down.

Despite everything I said, doubt still gnawed at me.

“I’d advise you to keep her close and watch her every move,” he said. “I’m not taking no for an answer, Alaric. You know what’ll happen to everything your parents left behind if you get hurt or worse... dead.”

“I won’t die,” I forced out.

He stared at me for a moment before shrugging and walking toward the door.

“Where are you going?” I asked with a frown.

“It’s morning. Time for work.” A smirk spread across his face. “Or are you suddenly too scared to go now?”

I scoffed. “That’s the last thing that’ll ever happen to me.”

He shrugged, the smirk on his face widening.

“If you say so. But,” he paused and glanced back at me, “I strongly advise you to keep her close and watch her carefully. Adios!”

I rolled my eyes after he left and pulled my shirt back off, tossing it onto the bed.

I had completely forgotten I was getting ready for work before he barged into my room.

Two hours later, I stepped out of the car and walked toward the company building.

After passing through security and scanning my card, I entered the building alongside the employees arriving for work.

A few of them bowed slightly in greeting, but I lifted a hand before they could lower themselves completely.

I stepped into the private elevator, and the doors slowly began to close.

That was when I caught sight of Sable from across the lobby.

She had just passed through security and was searching frantically through her bag.

My gaze settled on her face. Her brows were drawn together tightly, and her soft lips pressed into a frustrated line as she searched through her purse.

Then my eyes drifted lower.

She wore a cream blouse tucked neatly into a fitted pencil skirt that hugged her curves perfectly.

Even her nails were polished.

Everything about her looked clean.

Too clean.

Was a woman like this truly sent by the Commune?

At that exact moment, she lifted her head.

Our eyes met briefly, and I immediately looked away.

I checked my watch.

Two minutes until work hours.

I glanced back at her and watched her rush toward the public elevator in her heels. From the distance alone, I already knew she would arrive at the office late.

A slow smirk spread across my face.

I placed my foot between the elevator doors and looked directly at her.

Her eyes widened slightly in relief.

I motioned for her to hurry over.

“Thank you so much. I thought I’d be climbing the stairs today...” she said breathlessly as she finally reached the elevator.

Just as she was about to step inside, I lifted my hand and stopped her.

She froze in shock.

I raised my wrist and tilted my watch toward her.

Her eyes dropped to it before lifting back to my face in confusion.

“You’re almost five minutes late,” I said calmly.

“But I’m already in the company building. I came on time.” She frowned.

“You work directly for me,” I replied. “Which means you should already be in the office before I arrive. What happens if I get there before you?”

I kept my expression perfectly stoic, but inwardly, I relished the disbelief spreading across her face.

“T-that wasn’t mentioned to me...” she muttered.

“You have three minutes.”

I stepped back and removed my foot from the elevator doorway.

The doors slowly slid shut.

She snapped out of her shock and rushed forward, trying to stop them from closing, but it was already too late.

“Mr. Leighton!”

Her voice echoed against the metal doors just as the elevator began to move.

I leaned back against the wall, completely satisfied.

Let’s see how you’ll get to the office in three minutes.