Page 7 of Ruined

“And whose fault is that?”

Santino cautioned me with a quirk of his eyebrow. “People keep saying you should’ve found a way out earlier.”

Like it was that easy. “Yeah? Where the hell were they when I was locked in a room?”

“Luca, I’m on your side.”

Did I evenhavea side anymore? I downed the rest of the vodka and sighed.

“Don’t let him get to you.”

I released a tense breath. “I’m not.”

“You are. You’re giving him power over you.”

My mind flashed to Dominic’s condescending smirk, how his touch burned through my skin as he restrained me. Unbearable.

I gulped down the rest of my drink. “Not for much longer.”

“What does that mean?”

I shook my head, sliding off the stool. “Nothing. Give my best to Delilah.”

Santino’s glare drilled into my head. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

The Bratva kept me caged for years, but I’d never felt this powerless until Dominic. He’d humiliated me, and I wouldn’t let it slide.

I stood up, my heart pounding.

Decision made.

Dominic had to die.

TWO

LUCA

My mind circled Dominic like a vulture over fresh meat as I crossed the gravel lot outside my apartment building.

“Luca, do you have a minute?”

Mrs. Peretti’s voice stopped me.

I turned, forcing a smile. “What’s up, Mrs. Peretti?”

She shuffled closer, her pink slippers scuffing the concrete. I warned her to bring her cane when she went outside. A fall last month had nearly broken her hip. The next one would be worse. She clutched her cardigan tighter over her faded nightgown. “It’s my back door lock. I’m so sorry, but it’s sticking again.”

My jaw clenched. I had no time to play handyman, but Mrs. Peretti was one of the few good things in my life. She didn’t ask questions when I came home bloody or pry when she caught me smoking in the yard at three in the morning. She left jars of her late husband’s marinara on my doorstep and treated me like I was more than a thug.

I shifted the duffel bag’s strap to my other shoulder. “Let me take a look.”

“Going to the gym?”

“Yeah.”

Her wrinkled face lit up. “That’s wonderful, honey. Keep strong. The world needs men like you.”

I bit back a grim laugh.

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