Page 14 of Duke of Ruin

A little while later we’re back at the fraternity house and I’m listening to Eli talk to the other members and fighting to maintain a respectable distance as we eat steaks prepared by the on-call chef. I have to admit they’re amazing—melt-in-your mouth tender and perfectly cooked. I’m so engrossed in the food that I almost miss when a woman comes in and plants herself right in Eli’s lap. His eyes shoot to mine, but I school my expression into complete neutrality.

“Well, hello to you, too, Sasha,” Eli says. He tries to play off his discomfort as surprise, but I can see right through it.

“I’ve missed you,” she says with a giggle. The sound is like nails on a chalkboard.

“I’ve been around,” Eli says with a wave of his hand. He shifts himself so she can’t possibly be comfortable, but she doesn’t take the hint.

“No, you haven’t! I’ve been looking for you for like two weeks,” she whines, and I have trouble hiding my wince. “I even talked to your dad.”

Eli stiffens, and my senses are suddenly on high alert.

“Oh, calm down, he just wants us to make time for each other,” she says, and squirms until she’s in a more comfortable, and moreintimate, position. I focus on my breathing. As badly as I want to, making a scene here wouldn’t go well for either of us.

“I’ve been busy, Sasha,” Eli says, still trying to play it cool, but failing spectacularly.

“My father made us reservations at Moretti’s tomorrow night,” she continues, oblivious to Eli’s discomfort.

“I can’t imagine that’s difficult, since he owns the place,” Eli grumbles as Sasha finally removes herself from his lap.

“More difficult than you’d think. We’re booked solid for months,” she says. “Tomorrow at eight. Your dad assured us you’ll be there.”

“My father doesn’t make my plans for me,” Eli answers. His eyes dart back over to me, but I pretend not to notice.

“Well, they’re both going to be upset if you bail,” she says with a pout.

I look back and forth between the two of them. There’s obviously something more to this than I’m seeing, but I can’t exactly just ask him. It bothers me a lot more than it should that Eli is being forced to go on a date, and with a Moretti at that. I don’t know much about the Morettis other than they’re a rival family here in the Northeast.

“I’ll be there,” Eli says with a wave of dismissal. I really want to drill him about this, but this is neither the time or place, and since this woman is connected I have to be careful not to blow my, or Eli’s, cover right now. I try to catch his eye, but he keeps his gaze averted. I can see the frustration on his face, but even though I want to offer him a comforting touch, I resist.

I stand up and stretch, yawning loudly. “I’m going to head home. I’ll see you later,” I say to Eli. He gives me a pleading look, but I can’t stay here, not if he wants to keep us secret. It’s taking every ounce of restraint I have not to put my arms around him and claim him as mine.

Eli nods curtly and I leave the room, forcing one foot in front of the other. I make the short walk back to my apartment and lean on the door as soon as it’s closed behind me. I have to get it together. I’m about to screw up everything because I’m catching feelings for a man who isn’t available…no matter how bad he wants to be. I grab a fresh notebook and start scribbling notes. This Moretti angle changes things, and I wish I knew what it was all about. I keep writing until my eyes become heavy. I lay down in my bed, missing Eli’s warmth.

I pick up my phone and stare at it for a while. The best option for me right now is to call Rossi and end this whole operation. I could just disappear. Eli would believe I just flaked out, and no one would get hurt because of me. I regret ever taking this assignment.

My phone buzzes in my hand and I almost jump out of my skin. It’s a text from Eli.

Sorry about that.

About what?He knows that response is bullshit, but what else can I say?

The last thing I want to do is go out with Sasha, but there’s a lot of pressure on me. Can we talk?

I stare at the text for a while before answering. If I talk to him, I’ll just end up further down this rabbit hole.

I understand, family and all that.I hit send. God, I’m an asshole.I’m about to fall asleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.I just can’t help myself, I guess.

Ok.

That’s it, that’s all I get, and for some reason it pisses me off. It was stupid of me to think there could be anything more to us than what we are. We’re the real-life equivalent of mortal enemies, on opposite sides of a war. It feels like a chasm has opened up beneath me, and I just want to give in to gravity and fall down into that dark abyss. I spiral hard into the feeling.

“I’m sorry, Eli,” I say aloud to the empty room.

This is so stupid.

I’ve fallen in love with Eli Carbone.

6

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