Page 27 of Duke of Ruin

“What happened?” Eli asks again. I stroke his hair, brushing the curls from his forehead. I want this moment to last forever, because I know what comes next might end us.

“Cops got wind of the transaction, and there was a raid,” I say, my voice catching. “You were shot, but I got you out of there.” Eli squeezes my hand and leans into my touch. My heart feels like it’s splitting in two.

“How…I don’t understand,” he says.

“We just have to get out of here, and then I’ll explain everything,” I say quietly, and touch my forehead to his. “I promise, I love you.”

“Officer Sorrento?” a female voice says behind me, and Eli freezes beneath my touch. Here it is, the beginning of the end. I just hope Eli can play it cool until we get out of here. But when I lift my head, the pain and betrayal in his eyes shatters me before I turn to the doctor.

“Dr. Nguyen says that as soon as the patient is awake and alert you can go. Here are the aftercare instructions.” She hands me a packet of papers.

“Hey there, Mr. Andriotta,” she says to Eli, and his gaze narrows on me. “How are you feeling?”

“It hurts quite a bit,” Eli says, his eyes never leaving mine. The knife in my chest twists. “But otherwise, I’m good, I think.”

“Well, the surgery went well and the bullet didn’t hit anything vital, but you’re lucky to have Officer Sorrento looking out for you. You lost a lot of blood, so you’ll probably feel groggy for a while. I brought you some clothes, and you’re free to go as soon as you’re up to it.” She smiles and drops some sweatpants and a white T-shirt onto the end of the bed.

“Thank you,” Eli says to her. She gives him a quick nod and leaves. My eyes follow her out the door. I can feel Eli’s gaze burning into my back, but I can’t turn around. I can’t look at the pain I’ve caused him.

“Excuse me,Officer Sorrento,” he says, and his voice feels like ice flowing over my skin.

“Eli, we have to get out of here, and then I’ll explain,” I say quickly. “I gave the hospital my name. They have no idea who you are.”

“Apparently, I have no idea whoyouare,” he says with a grunt, and I turn to find him swinging his legs off the bed. I step over to help him, but he shoves me away. The knife in my chest gives a final, fatal push. He struggles with the clothes, trying to pull the sweatpants on with one hand, since his other arm is tied up in a sling.

“Let me help you,” I insist. “Just until we get out of here, and then I’ll leave you alone if that’s what you want. You never have to look at me again.”

“Noah.” He grimaces, and I don’t think it’s from physical pain. “Is that even your fucking name?”

“Yes,” I whisper as I help him pull the shirt over his head. He grunts in pain as I help guide his wounded shoulder through the sleeve.

“What the fuck is this, Noah?” Eli hisses at me.

“I was…I was undercover,” I say without looking at him.

“So this was all a setup?” he asks, and I flinch.

“No…well, just no,” I say quickly, and help him with his pants. I pull his shoes on over the hospital socks. They look very uncomfortable, but they’ll at least get us out the door. “Montcove PD was trying to get something on your uncle, but then I met you and I never thought…I just…it wasn’t supposed to be like this,” I say with a grimace. I’m sure that will make him forgive me.

“Is that all you have to say?” Eli challenges as I help him to his feet.

“No,” I say quickly. “No, not even close, and if we can get out of here I’ll explain everything. I promise, Eli. Please believe me.”

“How the fuck am I supposed tobelieveyou?” Eli says, and parts of me I didn’t even think could break begin to shatter. I knew on some level that this was how it was going to end. I’d be lying to myself if I thought he could forgive me for this. “Where’s my phone?” he growls at me as I help him keep his balance as we head for the exit.

“In your car,” I say, and he pulls away from me, finally steady on his feet as he begins to walk on his own. “Your car’s in the parking lot.” I hand him the keys. He steps forward and stumbles, so I catch him, but he pulls away from me again. “Eli, please…” I beg, but I know it’s no use. I’ve ruined everything. The most perfect man I’ve ever met hates me, and I can’t blame him.

With each step forward, my world shatters around me. Eli keeps a step ahead of me, and I fight the compulsion to reach for him. We make it out the exit and he pauses to search the parking lot. I make a rough gesture with my hand and he allows me to lead him in the direction of his car. I keep my eyes open and searching as we cross the pavement. I have no idea how things ended at the docks, and I’m not sure I want to know, but Rossi could be tailing me at any moment.

Eli spots his Bentley and starts toward it, and even though I know he doesn’t want me to, I follow, keeping a step behind him. Eli gets to the car and wrenches open the door.

“Do you want me to drive you?” I ask, though I know the question is stupid. He gives me a glare that could melt steel and settles himself into the seat, shooting furious looks at me as he adjusts it back for his height. I just stand there and stare at him stupidly. I want to say so much, but nothing comes out.

Eli stops to look at me one more time, and I hold my breath. He opens and closes his mouth, and then his expression turns bitter and I notice tears lining his eyes. My breath catches as he reaches for the door.

“Eli, wait!” I reach for him, but he recoils. “I…I bought a cabin.”

“What?” Eli snaps.

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