Page 26 of Ruined

“Luca, you don’t have to do what Vinn wants.”

Bullshit. “I don’t have a choice. He’s the boss.”

“He’s also your cousin.”

“For fuck’s sake, the Russians are more family than Vinn or Santino.Russianspretended to be my family.” I shrugged, ignoring Dominic’s widened gaze. “I was ten when the Bratvadragged me off, Dominic.Ten. I learned Russian before I got a chance to speak proper Italian. I eatpirozhki, notpanettone. Drink vodka, not wine. Your Christmas is December 25th, and mine is January 7th?—”

“Luca.”

“The Romanovs are strangers,” I said. “But the Costas areworse.

“They’re yourrealfamily.”

“Family doesn’t test loyalty,” I snapped. “They don’t call a man weak. They don’t judge achildfor not escaping a home lined withguns. I clawed my way back home after surviving fourteen years of hell, and not a goddamned one of them trusts me.”

Dominic took a step closer. “You don’t deserve that.”

“Oh, fuck off.” I snorted. “Don’t pretend you understand.”

“I do. More than you realize.”

I stared at the cracked pavement by my car, focusing on the sharp air filling my lungs. “Look, I don’t need a therapy session. Whatever you’re trying to prove, save it.”

“I want you to stop self-destructing.”

“Why the hell do you care?”

“I’m your boss. I’m doing my job.”

I scoffed. “Does your job include hitting on me?”

He shrugged. “That’s different.”

“So you get to tell me how to keep my shit together, but you can’t stay professional for one fucking day?”

Dominic’s gaze sharpened. “I’ll be professional when I feel I can take a shower without getting jumped by my employee.”

I held his gaze. Every word scraped at a raw part of me I couldn’t shut off.

He moved forward. One step, then another, until my back hit the car with a thud.

Shit.

Dominic’s presence filled every inch of space between us, his heat sinking through my clothes like a brand. The faint spice of his cologne hit me next. It curled into my lungs, and my head swam.

I didn’t want to feel this.

But Idid.

His eyes roamed my face. My chest tightened as his gaze settled on my mouth, his lips curving. His chiseled jawline caught the low light of the parking lot. His sharp cheekbones, his mouth…I hated that I noticed his mouth, but it was right in front of me.

His hand moved. Fingers ghosted the edge of my collar. I swallowed, trying to look anywhere but at him. He was too close. Damn it, I couldn’t stop staring at him.

“Get the hell out of my face, Dominic.”

“Why? You look like you want me right here.”

I don’t.

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