Page 21 of Ruthless Prince

“I’m good here,” I tell him.

Mr. Moore sighs. “Fine. Your choice, but be smart about this, boy. I’m letting you live in my home. Don’t die.”

ELLIE

“Why do you want Vincent to win this competition?” I ask my father once we’re home.

“For the money, of course.” That’s all he tells me, and yet I feel like he’s keeping something from me.

Knowing I won’t get any more answers out of him, I take a shower, needing to clear my head. Once I’m done, I wrap a towel around me, step out of the bathroom, and almost collide with Vincent.

“You’re back,” I gasp.

His eyes linger on my body. It’s then I become aware that I’m only in a towel. I tug it higher around myself.

“I’m back,” he says. The way he stares at me intently makes me weak in the knees.

After a moment, Vincent backs away. “Sorry. I’ll leave you for the night.”

“Vincent,” I call out, making him turn back to me. “I’m glad you made it home safely. I don’t want you to die.”

“You know, you’re the first person to ever be concerned about my safety.”

“Not even your father?”

He scoffs. “My father never gave a damn about me except for how much money I could make him.” His eyes soften. “So … thanks for being you.”

“You’re welcome,” I respond, my voice sounding more flustered than I mean it to.

Vincent smiles once more then limps away, holding his side.

There’s a fine line we’re teetering on. I’m not sure which way it’s going to fall.

Chapter

Seven

VINCENT

My rib is still broken when I have to participate in the fourth round of the competition. Every punch and kick and swing and uppercut hurts like a son of a bitch.

But in the end, I take down my opponent and win.

I’m one step closer to meeting Nico Mancini and getting the answers I need. If he tells me he killed Igor, then he’s dead. No one kills my father and gets away with it, even if I hated my father to begin with.

Women flock to my side once I step out of the ring, all of them wanting to spend the night with me. But after what happened with Rachel the assassin, I’m not taking the risk right now. Not when I’m still hurt.

So, instead, I walk past them and up to Ellie. “Care to go out for dinner tonight?”

She blushes and looks away. “My father wouldn’t like that.” She nods at Mr. Moore, who’s talking to some man I don’t know.

“What your father doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

“Vincent, we have to be careful. My father would kill you if you put me in a compromising position.”

“Then I won’t put you in a compromising position. It’s just dinner, Ellie.”

She hesitates then nods. “I should at least ask him.” Walking over to her father, she asks if she can go to dinner with me.

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