Page 72 of Twisted Knight

I sighed, looking toward the door. I was not worth it, and the man had every right to kill me for what I did to that poor girl so many years ago… He didn’t deserve to be punished, I did.

“Dom, please, don’t retreat into your mind. Talk to me. Don’t shut me down.”

“Is Luca here?”

She looked down at her hands, clearly a little deflated.

“Yes, Matteo is here too.”

“Is he? Why?”

She shook her head and stood up, her face suddenly closed up and wary.

“I’ll tell them you’re awake. I’ll bring you some food and drink.”

I didn’t want her to leave angry. I twisted in my bed and groaned at the pull on my side.

The wary look on her face turned to concern. “I’ll get you painkillers too,” she added quickly before slipping out of the room.

Fuck, why did I always have to blow it?

Because you’re a self-destructive asshole.

I winced as I sat down, looking at the bathroom door just a few feet from me like it was ten miles out.

I got up, putting pressure on the bandage on my side, and walked slowly to the bathroom. I used the toilet, washed my hands and face, and was half tempted to give myself a shave. I really disliked looking unkempt, but my hand was shaking a bit too much to risk it.

Ask her, she’d be happy to do it.I shook my head trying to smother that little voice so eager to get its redemption.

When I walked back into my room, Luca and Matteo were already there. Luca was sitting on the chair India occupied before, and Matteo was leaning against the door, looking as bored as he usually was.

“Please make yourself at home,” I said sarcastically.

“Well, it is so…” Luca shrugged before pointing at the nightstand. “India got that ready for you.”

I looked at the platter and smiled. These were all my favorites.

“She’s a good one,” Luca commented with a small nod. “She saved your life.”

I winced when I sat on the bed, the stitches hurting like a bitch.

“Painful?” Matteo asked, looking up from examining his nails.

I pursed my lips and gave him a sharp nod. I didn’t want the fucker to know how badly it actually hurt.

He gave me a mocking smile. “Good, it’ll teach you to not pick up your fucking phone.” He glared at me. “Since when are you ignoring my calls? Did the boy grow a pair?”

I snorted. “I always had a pair and I was busy.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Yes? Planning to fuck your girl? How did that work out for you?”

I let out a growl. I hated how dismissive he sounded. It was much more than just a simple fuck.

“India said you were on your way to the cabin. How did you find out?”

Luca gestured to Matteo.

“Well, if you’d taken one minute to answer your phone, you’d have known that the feeler I’d put out came through and the key of the safe was one of a small pawn store on 43rd Street.” He reached in his pocket and retrieved his cell. He turned it toward me to show a small consignment box open. “There wasn’t much in it. A copy of theArt of War, a burner phone with some texts, and a file with photos of a man and details about some of your activities when you were younger.”

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