Page 74 of Beautifully Ruined
“Great. So…you’ll be back?”
I laugh. “Nothing could keep me away.”
I leave with a bounce in my step, and it gets bouncier the moment I step out and see who is leaning against the wall, scrolling on his phone.
My heart thuds hard.
Cade gives me a slow smile that melts everything and pulls me to him, feathering his lips slowly over mine.
It’s the kind of kiss that makes my knees shake, and all without any tongue. He lifts his head. “How was it?”
“Good.”
He slings an arm around me, and we walk slowly to the subway.
I’m bigger than the world in that moment. Bigger than anything.
Cade whispers, “Good. Did you behave?”
I nod.
But then I look up at him, and my heart skips a beat or three. He’s looking at me, too, like I’m the only thing that matters.
“I don’t think he had anything to do with Gianna’s disappearance.”
He shrugs. “I never said I thought he did, but thinking and knowing are two different things.”
There’s a warning there not to get too involved, but how do I do that if I’m meant to be interning?
I could turn this into a real opportunity.
A real deal.
“Everyone loves him, Cade. I can see why. He’s genuine, and he’s going to be a great boss, I can tell.”
He squeezes me close as we come to the subway entrance. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
“I am.”
He turns me in his arms to face him. “But you have to remember why you’re there. We don’t know where this will lead, and there’s a good possibility you might have to sacrifice this internship in order to find Gianna. Even if he’s innocent, we don’t know what happened in that office or with others he’s connected to. The mob isn’t happy with him, and they often have people on the inside, so be careful. Because what if it takes ruining his career to get her back?”
My heart twists. “Will it?”
“I don’t know.” He searches my face. “Anything’s possible.”
“Then there’ll be other internships. I have a list. And I’ll do what it takes.”
“You’re getting out of the way if shit even looks like it’s going to start going down, you hear me, Vi?”
I nod.
But deep down, I’m hoping I can find Giannaandkeep the job.
Chapter Thirteen
CADE
I wantto go with her every morning, to make sure she’s safe, but I know I can’t.
