Page 145 of Ruins
I let out a slow breath, the lingering warmth of her touch still burning on my skin, and one thought settles in my chest, heavy and unshakable; she’s everything I need and I don’t know how to deserve her.
Chapter 29
Vasilisa
Inthemorning,Iexpected the house to be filled with Cosa Nostra soldiers given what happened to Marcello, but seeing Pietro next to Luca in the kitchen still surprises me. Relief floods through me, and before I know it, I’m rushing forward, springing into Pietro’s arms.
I’m glad I wore jeans today instead of a dress with all the hugging I’ll be doing. After yesterday, I’ve made sure to be completely modest in my sweater and jeans—I’m steering clear of upsetting Santo. He has enough on his plate.
I release Pietro and turn to hug a very startled Luca.
“I’m glad you’re back,” I say, beaming up at him.
“Romeo, that bad for one day?” Luca teases, raising a brow.
I laugh, but my smile fades as I notice Pietro’s face. A cut mars his lip, and his black eye stands out in the morning light—details I missed in my haste to hug him.
“What happened?” I ask, reaching out to touch his face.
Pietro gently grabs my hand, lowering it before I can reach him. A throat clears behind me, and I turn to find Santo standing at the threshold, Don Amato and Maksim flanking him.
Maksim speaks first, his voice sharp and casual all at once. “Sinner’s handling Kaya. I’m heading to Vancouver—Killian Byrne has eyes on the Turkish, and I want to see what he knows.”
“In light of what happened yesterday, it’s clear we’re at war,” Don Amato adds, his voice measured, commanding. “You’ve all been assigned. Santo sent out the details this morning. Check them and get where you need to be. We’re an alliance; no one outranks anyone. All hands.”
The men murmur their agreements before dispersing, leaving me in the kitchen with Luca, Romeo, Pietro, five other men, and Santo.
Santo’s voice is firm as he addresses Pietro. “Ivanov. You, Dmitri, and Fabiano will head to California. My sister Elena is at university and currently has two guards. I need you to protect her with your life.”
“I will,” Pietro replies with conviction.
Santo steps forward, patting Pietro on the back. “I mean it. She’s the second most important woman in my life.”
A sharp pang tugs at my heart, but I shove it down, keeping my expression neutral. Our eyes meet for a fleeting second before Pietro nods and turns to me with a polite smile. My best friend leaves, off to protect a sister-in-law I’ve never met.
Santo shifts his attention to Luca. “You, Romeo, Enzo, Sergei, and Alexei are on Vasilisa.”
I glance at him, but his stormy gray eyes remain locked on Luca.
“She doesn’t leave. Anything she wants, you get it for her. No exceptions. No risks. Before she enters any room, you do a sweep.” His voice is final, his tone brooking no argument.
“Santo,” I start softly, his name barely audible.
“No exceptions, Vasilisa.”
“It’s not that,” I reply quickly. “What about Mimi?”
His eyes soften slightly as he looks at me. “Maksim has that handled. We have men at Andras.”
He turns back to the men. “A moment with my wife.”
The room clears. The guards leave in practiced silence, and even Amelia, who had been serving breakfast, removes her apron and disappears without a word.
Santo steps forward, his presence swallowing the space between us,commandingeven in exhaustion.
The dark circles under his eyes are stark against the sharp cut of his cheekbones, his gaze—usually so piercing, so unwavering—dulled by the weight of everything he carries. He’s polished as always, his crisp white button-down pristine against the navy vest and slacks tailored to perfection. But even in his effortless elegance, I see it. The strain in the tight set of his jaw. The barely-there furrow of his brow. The heaviness in his shoulders that even the finest suits can’t disguise.
And yet—he’s still the most devastatingly handsome man I’ve ever seen.
