by L A Cotton
“Morning,” he said to everyone.
“Rough night?” Rafe asked, and my eyes immediately went to Levi’s very bare, very marred chest.
Heat flooded me.
“What can I say? My honeybee likes to bite.”
“Too much information for breakfast,” Damon grumbled. “Go put a shirt on, Jesus.”
“Relax, Donnelley. You just need to get laid, remove that stick from—”
“Levi.” Rafe shook his head.
I held out my hand, beckoning Levi to me. He came willingly, wearing a wolfish grin.
“You ran, Bee.”
“You should have chased me.”
He laughed. A real honest-to-God laugh. It made everyone stop what they were doing, all eyes trained on Levi.
“What?” He frowned, rubbing a hand down his face to hide the slight stain to his cheeks.
“You are so freakin’ adorable,” I whispered.
“It’s good to see you like this, bro,” Rafe said. “It’s been a long time coming.”
Something passed between the two Hunter brothers. But then Molly stepped into the kitchen, taking all the air with her.
“Uh, hey, sorry... I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Her arms were wrapped around her waist like armor.
“You’re not interrupting.” Eva rushed to her side.
Two seconds later, Hudson appeared. His hair disheveled, wearing nothing but some black shorts.
Eva bristled at the sight of him, and he let out a heavy breath. “It’s not what you think, Angel.”
But it was something.
Molly was broken. Quiet and skittish, nothing like the voracious outgoing girl I’d met before.
But no one was telling us anything. Just that she needed some space.
Eva tended to Molly while Hudson went straight for the liquor cabinet.
“Seriously?” Levi balked. He hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol since we’d arrived. Every other day, he disappeared for ninety minutes for his session with Fiona, and every day, he searched me out afterward.
He was changing.
Healing right in front of my eyes.
Levi still had a long way to go, but he was trying, and that was all any of us could ask for.
After Zephyr, I’d truly believed love couldn’t fix a person. That I wasn’t enough.
But love was a reason to fight.
It was a reason to try to change and lay your demons to rest.
Love was strength.
And I was enough.
Every day… every touch… every kiss… every time Levi sank inside me, I felt it.
My love hadn’t been enough to save Zephyr, but it was enough to make Levi want to fight.
In the end, love was enough to save him.
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Thank you for reading Ruin.
Pre-order Hudson Ryker’s story, coming in May 2021
Zombie – Bad Wolves
Mad at You – Noah Cyrus, Gallant
Ruin My Life – Zara Larsson
Outnumbered – Dermot Kennedy
7 Minutes – Dean Lewis
Gone – Red
Break In – Halestorm
All I Need – Within Temptation
Ashes of Eden – Breaking Benjamin
Last Stand – Adelitas Way
Rue – Girl in Red
Broken – Seether, Amy Lee
Better Than Today – Rhys Lewis
Lay By Me – Reuben
Nothing Breaks Like a Heart – Mark Ronson ft. Miley Cyrus
I Wanna Be Okay – Blindlove
Maybe It’s Time – Sixx:A.M.
Let Me Love You Like A Woman – Lana Del Rey
Where’s My Love – SYML
You Are The Reason – Callum Scott
Author’s Note
Oh Levi, my beautiful black hearted soul.
What a ride these two characters took me on. I hope you enjoyed reading their story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I can’t wait to bring you Hudson’s and Damon’s stories next year.
As always, a huge thank you to my team:
Andie, Nina, Anna, and Tracy… you all keep me sane. Ginelle, thank you continuing to pick up my proofreads at the drop of a hat. To Sarah Puckett and Michael Johnson for bringing the series to life in audio (and Doug Johnson and Jon Ryno for the amazing songs) – it’s been wonderful to hear my lyrics come to life. To my promo team, you ladies rock, and my readers / spoiler groups – your enthusiasm and support for my characters and stories makes it all worthwhile. To Give Me Books for always organizing all of my series promotion.
And finally, to the bloggers, reviewers, and bookstagrammers who continue to support me, without you I wouldn’t get to do this, so thank you. THANK YOU!
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Until next time,
L A xo
About the Author
Angsty. Edgy. Addictive Romance
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Author of mature young adult and new adult novels, L A is happiest writing the kind of books she loves to read: addictive stories full of teenage angst, tension, twists and turns.
Home is a small town in the middle of England where she currently juggles being a full-time writer with being a mother/referee to two little people. In her spare time (and when she’s not camped out in front of the laptop) you’ll most likely find L A immersed in a book, escaping the chaos that is life.
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L A loves connecting with readers.
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The best places to find her are:
Official Website
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Also by L. A. Cotton
Black Hearts Still Beat
Rush: The Beginning
Rise: The Interlude
Rule: The Finale
Ruin: Levi Hunter's Story
Chastity Falls
Loyalty and Lies
Salvation and Secrets
Tribulation and Truths
Affliction
Redemption and Regrets
Penance and Promises
Absolution
Fate's Love
Fate's Love
Love's Spark
Love Collides
Liar Liar
Liar Liar
Truth or Dare
Rixon High
Off-Limits (Coming Soon)
Rixon Raiders
The Trouble With You
The Game You Play
The Harder You Fall
The Endgame Is You
Steinbeck University
Trick or Treat
The Maverick Defense Series
Deliverance
The Wicked Bay Series
Wicked Bay: Part 1
Wicked Bay: Part 2
Verona Legacy
Prince of Hearts: Nicco & Ari Duet #1
King of Souls: Nicco & Ari Duet #2
Villain of Secrets
Savior of Regrets (Coming Soon)
Wicked Bay
Wicked Beginnings
Wicked Rules
Wicked Lies
Wicked Games
Wicked Needs
Wicked Surprise
Wicked Hearts
Wicked Promises
Wicked Truths
Wicked Forever
Standalone
Lucky Penny
Chastity Falls: Box Set
Rixon Raiders (The Collection)
Black Hearts Still Beat: Eva and Rafe's Trilogy
On The Rebound
Rock
Watch for more at L. A. Cotton’s site.
bsp; L. A. Cotton, Ruin