Page 5 of Ruined

He tightened his grip. “You think you can talk to me like that and walk away?”

“I’m not apologizing to you.”

He chuckled. “Oh, I think you will. Go on, Luca. Say you’re sorry.”

“Go to hell.”

Dominic’s arm pressed tighter across my chest. “Say it, or I’ll make sure you regret it.”

“I’d rather pass out.”

Dominic laughed. “You always have to make things difficult, don’t you?”

His hold tightened. The air in my lungs faded, and black dots gathered in my vision. Fuck. He wasn’t bluffing. I imagined myself unconscious at Dominic’s feet.

“Okay!” I wheezed. “I’m sorry.”

Dominic eased the pressure, and I drew in a shaky breath. “See? Was that so hard?”

I wanted to break his nose.

Dominic released me with a push. I stumbled forward, catching myself on the desk.

He smiled. “You should see your face. Ditch that girl you’re dating. I don’t think she’s meeting your needs.”

I’ll kill you.

I straightened, adjusting my shirt. My heart still pounded. Dominic watched me, his eyes gleaming. He reached into his jacket and produced a manila folder, which he passed to me.

“Go to Sunset Tavern. Give this to Santino.”

I ripped it out of his hands. “What’s in it?”

“Not your concern.”

I fingered the envelope. “I should know in case I’m pulled over.”

“Then I suggest you obey the traffic laws. Go. It’s late.”

His stern glare shifted something in my chest.

Eat shit.

“Oh, and Luca?” Another taunting smile touched his lips. “Watch that temper. It could get you into trouble. And I’d hate for you to realize how much you’d love it.”

I fisted the envelope as that stroked warmth low in my belly. His timing was no accident. His goal was unsettling me. The prick hoped I’d forget I was straight, stumble into his arms, and do something reckless.

I flipped him off and left.

I hoofed it to Sunset Tavern.

It was nearly empty, just a few old drunks nursing their last calls. I found Santino in the back, his face lit by a flickering Edison lightbulb. I slapped the envelope on the table.

He glanced at me. “From Dominic?”

“Yeah.”

Santino tore it open, scanned the contents, and gruntedthanks. I didn’t ask what was in it. Probably more orders.

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