Page 113 of Ruined

“And?You almost killed him.”

Luca shrugged. “He ran his mouth. I shut it.”

“That’s your excuse?” I strode closer, heat building in my chest. “He’s not the only one who’s gonna pay for that shit. You think the boss won’t hear about it?”

Luca didn’t flinch. “I can handle it.”

“Youcan’t handle it,Luca!” My voice cracked as I stepped closer, close enough to see the fresh cuts on his knuckles. “One day,you’ll swing at the wrong guy, and it’ll be the last move you make.”

“I didn’t ask you to clean up my mess.”

“You don’t have to ask! I’m the one standing between you and a bullet every goddamn day, whether you like it or not!”

He looked at me. “Why?”

I exhaled slowly. “Because someone has to care about you, Luca. Clearly, you don’t give a shit about yourself.”

Something flickered across his face. He turned away from me, walking toward the window. “You don’t know me.”

“I know you’re not not the guy who drinks himself stupid and throws his life away over some jealous rage.”

Luca’s back was to me, his fists clenching.

I softened. “What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing.”

“Bullshit.”

His voice was quieter now, colder. “I said it’s nothing.”

“Luca…” I stepped closer, willing him to say anything that’d make sense of this mess. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

He turned his head, his expression hollow. “You should leave.”

I froze. “What?”

“You’ve said what you needed to say. I get it.”

He wasn’t lashing out. He was shutting down.

I stared at him. “Why are you doing this?”

Luca didn’t answer. He just stood there, staring out the window like I wasn’t in the room.

“Look at me,” I said softly.

He didn’t.

“You’re pushing me away, again? Really, Luca?”

Luca didn’t move.

I watched him, waiting for something that would prove me wrong. That he wasn’t pulling so far away I couldn’t reach him.

He gave me nothing.

“Fine.” I cleared my throat. “You don’t want me here? Say it to my face.”

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