Page 141 of Ruins
Red-hot rage simmers beneath my skin as I storm toward the window, my fingers digging into the frame as I stare out at the city skyline.
I inhale deeply. Exhale.
Rein it in.
The last thing I need right now is a war with Angelo. We can’t afford to be at each other’s throats when we should be planning our meeting with Kaya.
But Vasilisaknowingabout Scythe?
It shatters my focus. Distracts me in ways I can’t afford.
She’s not supposed to know.
And if she keeps digging—
Fuck.
The curse barely leaves my lips before I sense rather than hear Marcus stride into the conference room. There’s weight to his presence, a thick tension hanging over him.
“Mr. Amato,” he starts tentatively.
Not now.
Not fucking now.
“What?” I snap, not bothering to turn around.
“The QUEEN file—”
“What about it?” My voice lashes out, an icy whip, cutting him off before he can waste my time.
Marcus hesitates.
“We’re in.”
My interest piques, the storm in my head clearing just enough for me to turn toward him. He looks uneasy. I sigh, already irritated.
“What’s the problem?”
“We got in, but…” Marcus swallows. “The documents started self-destructing as soon as we breached. We managed to salvage half, but it’s in code.”
I roll my jaw. Of course, it is.
“How long to crack it?”
“Maybe three months, give or take.”
I press two fingers to the bridge of my nose, a sharp throb forming between my temples. “We don’t have months. Can you do it inweeks?”
“With more help, maybe, but-”
“Make it happen.” My patience snaps, my voice razor-sharp. “Use whoever you need.” I stride past him, dismissing the conversation before he can keep wasting my time.
I need to get my head together.
These distractions aren’t helping. As I storm back toward my office, I pass Evie and tell her to clear my schedule.
She stiffens. “Mr. Amato, what about your meeting with—”
