Page 72 of His to Ruin

“The woman.” Leo inhales sharply. “We tortured her son. Piotr killed him, I think.”

“You think?”

“It was after we left. I don’t know what happened, but Balogh wasn’t around anymore, so…”

“Okay, I get it.”

“They’re going to bring Piotr here. Make him watch while they hurt you.”

“The only thing he’ll have to watch is me washing the blood off my hands when I kill anyone who tries to touch me.” I speak withmore conviction I feel. “Now, focus, Leo. How many of them are out there?”

“Three, including the woman.”

“There were more.”

Leo nods. “Probably outside.” He coughs violently. “Watching.”

“Yeah, makes sense.”

“Save yourself, Liv. If you get the chance, run.”

I carefully stroke his hair. “And leave my fourth favorite brother to die?”

He chuckles. “Edged out Antonio, did I?”

“By a hair. You’re both insufferable brutes.”

Leo closes his eyes and takes a deep, shuddering breath. He goes still. Too still. I put my hand on his shoulder and give him a gentle shake. “Leo.”

“Vinnie,” he says suddenly. “She’s pregnant.”

“I guessed as much.”

“You need to tell her…”

I tighten my grip on his hand. “No, Leo. You can give Vinnie your half-assed declarations of love when you see her. Now pull yourself together because we are getting out of here and I’m not carrying your dead weight.”

The ghost of a smile plays on his lips. “I wish I saw this side of you sooner.”

“If you missed me being a bitch, you weren’t looking close enough.”

Leo shakes his head. “Not a bitch. Strong, capable, a fucking warrior.”

He coughs again, and this time he spits up blood. Shit. I need to get help for him soon.

“Don’t get sentimental on me, Leo. I need you to be your usual asshole self if we’re going to get out of here.”

Letting go of his hand, I head to the door. I have no plan other than to get the attention of the assholes out there. I lift my fist to bang on the door and then pause. There’s a loud popping sound. Gunfire?

I turn to Leo. “I think the cavalry’s here.”

Leo says something, but his voice is faint and I don’t catch it. I run over and crouch next to him. “What was that?”

“They’ll try to use you to get out of here.”

“It’s okay.” I slip my shoes off my feet and grasp one in my hand. “I’m ready for them.”

The chance to test the truth of that statement comes sooner than I’d hoped. The metal bolt scrapes and the door flies open.

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