Page 6 of Kiss of Ruin (Brutal Empire)

“We need to talk.”

ChapterThree

Nico

I can see all the emotions crossing Scarlett’s face the moment I walk through the door. I’m a complete asshole for ignoring her the way that I have. Not that I have had much choice. It kills me to stand off to the side of the room while I wait for the nurse to check over Scarlett’s meds before leaving.

She wants to say something, except I couldn’t let her, so I interrupt and start talking first. She nods and closes her mouth, giving me her full attention.

“You’re not safe in New York anymore.” Her eyes open wide. I don’t let it distract me from what I need to do. This is all in Scarlett’s best interest. “There’s a war between the Romero’s and the DeLuca’s now. Staying here will only put us all in danger. I’ve arranged for you to stay with my parents in Miami. They run part of the business.” I continue to press on, not giving her a chance to object. “They’ll be able to protect you there, the way we can’t.”

“When?” Her eyes search mine, as if she’s trying to find something there. But there is nothing that I will let her see.

“Tonight. Sofia, Rosa, and Camila will be joining you. I’ve arranged doctors for your care.”

Her lips pull tight. “My doctor here already arranged a rehabilitation facility.”

I wave a hand in the air dismissing her statement. “I’ve already spoken to her. She’s having your records and scans transferred to Miami.”

Scarlett drops her head, staring at the blanket. “I know I shouldn’t have gone to investigate myself.”

She doesn’t say anymore and neither do I. “I have guards and a private jet chartered to fly you down today as soon as your are released. You’ll stay with my mother and father.” I feel like I’m giving her commands, and it’s the only way I can keep my hands to myself. It’s what I need to do to keep her safe.

“Are you flying with us?”

“No.” I let the word hang in the air, hoping she hears the reality in that simple word. I know she won’t. That she’ll stop pushing for more answers, but I can hope.

“When are you flying down?”

Fuck, I want to answer that more than I want my next breath. Keeping secrets from Scarlett hadn’t ever been my favorite thing, but Luis left me no choice. Now that I have a choice, I can’t help but wonder if it would be easier on all of us for me to lie.

I stare at her. The woman I wanted for as long as I can remember and know that I’ll have to lie if I want to keep her safe.

“I’m not. I’m staying to help Carlos and Andreas organize the men and end this war.”

“Then I want to stay and help.”

“No.” The word is final, leaving no room for argument.

Scarlett hasn’t always let me see her vulnerable side. She’s only starting to open up to me and I know that what I have to do now will most likely keep her from showing me this side of her ever again.

Determination fills her eyes while acid fills my stomach. “What happens to us?”

Lying to her absolutely feels worse than keeping Luis’s secret life hidden. It doesn’t stop me from the letting the words from leave my lips. I shove my hands into my pockets to give off an air of indifference, even if I’m anything but.

“What do you mean us? There was never an us.” I used the tone that I do with people in the business. It’s cold, heartless, and shows that I don’t really give a shit. Even though I do, I can’t give her a single hint of what I’m feeling. I don’t want to give her anything to hold onto. She’s needs to go to Miami and forget about me for now, I remind myself, otherwise she’s going to get herself killed. “It was just a fling,” I continue in the same tone. “You were grieving, needing a distraction and I was bored. It worked for us then.” I shrug. “It doesn’t now.”

She turns her face toward the window, but not before I see the tear slip down her cheek. I know I’m the biggest piece of shit asshole, even though I know for the first time in my life, I’m thinking about someone besides myself. I need to leave before I do something else stupid, like when I fell in ass over elbows in love with Scarlett.

“Guards will be here in an hour to escort you to the airport, then down to Miami. My parents will meet you there. I have to go. Goodbye, Scarlett.”

The words rush out of my lips. I turn and walk back out the door, knowing Scarlett is better off without me.

* * *

Scarlett

If I thought the pain in my back was excruciating, it’s nothing compared to the pain radiating in my chest. The door closes quietly behind a man that I don’t recognize. The man I fell in love with is not the man who just walked out of my room.

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