Page 22 of Ruined

Michael whistled. “No shit.”

Tony shoved back from the table, swearing.

Vinn stared at Luca for a moment. “Not bad. I’ll be keeping an eye on you next time.”

Luca exhaled through his nose, keeping his expression blank. The faintest flicker of relief passed through his eyes.

Vinn leaned forward. “Now, on to why you’re really here. I need a favor.”

Luca stiffened. “What kind of favor?”

“Relax. It’s nothing you can’t handle. Someone might be planning to mess with Santino’s fight on Friday, and I know you’ve been using it as a side hustle. Keep an eye out for anyone who doesn’t belong.”

Luca fought in Santino’s ring? The image of him in a ring, fists flying, gripped me. Of course. He was too pissed at the world not to have an outlet.

Luca’s jaw ticked. “What kind of people?”

Vinn’s stare sharpened. “The kind you’d recognize.”

Bratva.

Luca fisted his hands under the table.

I frowned. “The Bratva doesn’t give a damn about Santino’s ring. That’s low stakes for them.”

“Luca killed their Pakhan. That’s like setting a church on fire and pissing on the ashes.” Vinn leaned forward, elbows on the table. “He’s a loose end. Maybe they think they’ll find him at Santino’s ring. Or maybe they’re testing how far we’ll let them go.”

Luca’s voice dropped. “They don’t test boundaries unless they’re ready to push through them.”

Vinn smirked. “That’s why you’re gonna be there.”

“What do you want me to do?”

Vinn’s gaze pinned him. “Look for anyone out of place. If you recognize someone, get rid of them.”

Luca didn’t blink. “Fine.”

I didn’t like it. “Why send him? Santino’s got guys for this.”

Vinn’s focus shifted to me. “I trust Santino to run the fights, not to ID the Bratva. You’re going, too. You’ll back him up.”

I glanced at Luca. A muscle in his jaw ticked. He knew something, but he wouldn’t refuse.

“Fine.” I shot Vinn a sharp look. “We’ll be there. But if shit hits the fan?—”

Vinn nodded. “Family looks out for family.”

That wasn’t the answer I wanted.

Who did Vinn consider family? Not a Caruso boy. Luca shared their blood, but it pumped as easily through his veins as it spilled onto concrete.

Luca stalked ahead of me. I matched his pace, following him into the dim hallway.

I grabbed his arm. “Stop.”

He turned with a scowl. “What?”

“You realize what this is, right?” I asked, voice low.

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