Page 34 of Kiss of Ruin (Brutal Empire)

“And what makes you think that you can handle Elena? She’s already shot you once.” His voice is snide.

“Because this time Iknowshe’s alive and considering it’s me she wants, it’s me she’ll get.”

He’s silent for a moment and I wonder if he’s going to tell me to go to hell.

“We’ll see you at noon,” he says and relief fills me. He hangs up before I can say another word.

I set the phone down.

It’s my turn to keep secrets from Nico. Just this once.

I’ll do anything to keep him alive.

ChapterFifteen

Scarlett

My stomach is tied in knots through breakfast. Sleeping in Nico’s arms the night before should have calmed me down, but it has had the opposite effect.

He came back to my room after the call ended with Carlos. He apologized for losing his cool. I reminded him that none of this was either of our faults, but a product of Luis’ lies.

That seemed to do the trick. We went down to dinner then spent the rest of the night in my room, making up for the time we lost. The walk to breakfast is when things began to become real. This could be the first and last time we’d have an opportunity to do this.

I force the food down so as not to give away how nervous I am. Sofia keeps eyeing me, but I ignore her. We spoke at dinner about Nico’s apology, which means she’s seeing through the front I’m trying to portray to the rest of the room.

“I think I know where they’re staying while they look for Scarlett.” Miguel enters the room with a paper and hands it over to Pedro, who glances it at it, then hands it to Nico.

I glance at it and realize it’s grainy footage from a security camera. Even though it’s fuzzy, I can clearly see the car from in front of the boutique.

“The numbers are blurry on the license plate, but I would bet money it’s the same car,” Miguel says.

“I agree.” Nico sets the paper down and gives Miguel his full attention. “Where is it?”

He smirks. “Turns out working for the DeLuca’s isn’t very lucrative. That or they don’t give a hot shit about their goons.”

Pedro’s brows draw together. “What do you mean?”

“They’re staying in a motel off Park Boulevard.”

I look between Nico and Pedro. “What’s that mean?”

Nico smirks. “It means they set them up in the middle of gang territory. They have loyalty to no one. Unlike the families that run this business, who make alliances and deals, the gangs hate everyone.”

“You’re not going to go there?” Isabel asks.

“Hell no. I want these guys but that’s asking to die. Miguel and I can sit right on the edge of the city and wait for them to leave. They know they’ll never get Scarlett here, so they’re waiting until they can get her hands on her in the city.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Isabel asks.

Nico glances at me then back to his mom. “I’m not letting them get their hands on Scarlett again.”

Warmth fills me only to be overtaken by cold dread. I know exactly what I’m going to propose when Carlos arrives. I school my features. This meeting is between me and them.

When breakfast is over, Nico takes my hand and walks with me into the main foyer. “Please stay here today. I don’t trust Elena or what she has planned.”

“I’ll be here when you get back.”

He presses a kiss to my lips. “I look forward to it.”

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