Page 213 of Ruins
Luna whistles low under her breath, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Girl, he is delicious.”
I exhale shakily, fingers brushing over my tingling lips. “I know.”
Luna plants her hands on her hips, her expression shifting into something far more pointed. “Okay, I’ve got a bone to pick with you.”
Uh-oh.
“Why didn’t you tell me you got married off?” Her voice is firm, but there’s a hint of hurt beneath it.
Guilt pools in my stomach. “I’m sorry, Luna. Everything happened so fast, and then Santo changed my phone and erased all my contacts except for family, himself, and Luca,” I grumble, rolling my eyes.
Luna’s eyes widen. “I had to call Pietro!”
A low murmur ripples through the guys standing behind her.
My brows shoot up. “You called Pietro?”
Luna smirks. “Girl, you know I’ve had his number.”
A sharp grunt of annoyance comes from Nico, and Luna immediately shoots him a warning glare. “Pipe down, Beastly.”
I blink, intrigued. “Beastly?”
Luna jerks her chin toward Nico. “Yeah, him. Pretty boy over there,” she nods at Romeo, “and the Italian Stallion,” she winks at Luca, “basically abducted me today.”
Luca lets out an exasperated sigh. “You weren’t abducted.”
“It didn’t happen to you, Rico Suave,” Luna deadpans, shooting him a glare. Luca just shakes his head and walks away, clearly not taking the bait.
Luna turns back to me with an exaggerated eye roll. “Beastly had the nerve to just walk into my apartment and tell me Ihadto go with them,” she huffs. “If it wasn’t for Pretty Boy over there telling me I was coming to see you, I would’ve kicked their asses.”
Nico chuckles under his breath, and Luna immediately narrows her eyes at him. They lock into a silent battle—a staring contest so charged it makes me wonder if there’s something deeper brewing between them.
Chapter 41
Santo
ThedrivetoMaksim’stakes a couple of hours, but for Vasilisa, I’d endure longer. Even though I know I shouldn’t be here, Vera is important to Vasilisa, and that makes this important to me. Maksim is either going to force me to leave—which will end badly for us both—or he’ll have to let me stay as he interrogates his aunt.
I expect resistance when I call up to Maksim’s penthouse, but to my surprise, I’m waved through. Either he’s feeling generous—or he’s planning something. As the elevator doors slide open, Vaska greets me at the entrance.
"Scythe," he drawls, lazy but alert, his blade spinning between his fingers like an afterthought. His eyes are sharp, but his grin is sharper.
“Vaska,” I acknowledge with a curt nod.
“Maksim didn’t call for you,” he says darkly.
“No, but I have a right to be here,” I reply, brushing past him.
I hear the quiet scuff of his boots as he follows me down the hall toward the room Maksim reserves for his “special guests.” Before I can grab the handle, Vaska steps in front of me, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Did little Vasi send you?” he mocks. “You can run along and tell your wife her mama will be just fine.
A dark chuckle escapes me as I lean in closer. We’re the same build, but I’m faster, and Vaska knows it. He’s lost to me in every spar we’ve had.
My voice drops low, deadly. "Step aside, Vaska, before I decide that blade of yours belongs in your throat instead of your hand."
“Scythe,” Maksim’s voice carries down the hall, easygoing but edged. “Didn’t think you’d make a house call. Here to check on your mother-in-law, or just miss me?
