Page 30 of Ruined

I stepped back, ripping her hands off me. “Not now.”

Maria froze. “What is wrong with you?”

“I’m not in the mood.”

She stood, arms crossing. “You’re never in the mood anymore.”

I opened my mouth, but the truth tangled on my tongue. Denying it felt pointless. Admitting it was impossible.

“It’s complicated.”

She laughed. “That’s your excuse?”

“Maria, we aren’t in a relationship.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t think you’d be such an asshole about it.” She grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder. “You know what? I’m done. You’re a mess, and not in a fun way.”

Fuck. I was more than amess.

This shit was a disaster.

But at least she wouldn’t get caught in the wake.

Dominic called me at lunch, told me to get to the casino immediately. I strolled into Dominic’s office. Santino sat at Dominic’s desk, his jaw tight. Vinn lounged in a chair. Dominic leaned against the far wall, arms crossed.

Great. The last time this many Costas gathered for a chat, someone ended up at the bottom of the Harbor.

I stood taller as unease prickled along my spine. My eyes flicked to the the door I’d walked through. If they wanted to pull something, they’d have to work for it.

I smirked. “Am I late to the family picnic?”

Santino’s eyes narrowed. “Sit down, Luca.”

“I’ll stand, thanks.”

Dominic’s lips twitched. Vinn’s expression didn’t change. He exhaled sharply through his nose.

“We have a job for you,” Vinn said finally.

Here we go. “What is it?”

“Do you remember what I asked you to do for Friday’s fight?”

I nodded, my stomach knotting.I was supposed to keep an eye out for any Bratva members lurking in Santino’s ring.

Vinn’s black gaze drilled into me. “I need something else from you. I want you to throw the fight.”

I stared at him. “You’ve gotta be kidding me. I can make ten times that money for the family just by winning, without breaking my nose.”

Vinn leaned forward. “Your job isn’t to think. It’s to follow orders.”

The words hit like a slap. My fists clenched, but I forced my expression to stay neutral. Barely.

Santino’s silence stung worse than Vinn’s words. Normally, he’d have my back. Today, he sat there, avoiding my eyes.

They don’t trust me.

No one in this goddamned family did. After surviving fourteen fucking years in the Bratva, I was still just the Russian stray they picked up out of the gutter.

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