Page 99 of Ruins
“Maksim can’t even keep his own sister on a leash.” The words snap out before I can stop them.
Luca’s expression shifts, arms crossing over his chest. For the first time, he actually looks… displeased.
“Is that really the issue here?”
“No.” The irritation coils in my gut. “Go find me what I asked.” I wave a hand in dismissal, expecting him to leave.
But he doesn’t move.
“I already have it.”
He pulls out his phone, scrolling for a second before glancing up. “There’s only one other before Jude. A Logan Doyle. Lives in London now.”
I exhale, relieved. “Good. He needs to stay an ocean away.”
Luca’s eyes widen, his expression flickers between confusion and bemusement. He slips his phone back into his pocket, shaking his head.
“Youlikeher.”
His voice is quiet, careful, like he’s testing the words out loud.
I frown, my fingers drumming irritably against the desk. “This isn’t about liking her, Luca.” The denial is swift, firm. Even as my conscience whispers otherwise. “This is about keeping my wife safe.”
Luca laughs. A low, knowing sound that grates on my nerves. “I’ve seen how you are with women, Santo. This is different.”
He leans forward, his smirk growing. “You don’t care about their pasts. Hell, half the time you don’t even ask their names.”
His smirk deepens.
“But with Vasilisa? You want to know every man who’s touched her.You’re jealous.”
The accusation lands—sharp, unyielding. My throat tightens, heat rising up my neck before I can shut it down.
“That’s… that’s ridiculous.”
Luca grins.
He pushes up from his chair, his gaze unwavering as he places a firm hand on my shoulder.
“Remember who you’re talking to, Santo.” His voice shifts—lower, knowing. “I’ve known you all my life.”
My jaw ticks. “And have you ever known me to be jealous?”
Luca’s grin widens.
“That’s just it.” He slaps my shoulder lightly before heading for the door. “No one’s ever known you to be this human before.”
The click of the door locking is the last sound before silence swallows the room whole.
Luca’s words claw at the edges of my thoughts, sinking in deeper than I want them to.
Jealous.
Jealousy is such a soft emotion. A human emotion. And I can’t afford soft things.
I clench my fists. This isn’t about jealousy. It’s about control. Security. Keeping what’s mine untouched. It’s about making sure the ghosts of Vasilisa’s past stay exactly that—ghosts.
But the thought of her with someone else—of another man’s hands on her, another man knowing the softness of her sighs— curls inside me like a sickness I can’t shake.
