Page 95 of Lord of Ruin
“Mmm… Okay. I’ll meet you downstairs. Perhaps you should put some clothes on.”
“Why?”
“Don’t worry, big boy. I’ll rip them off later.” She playfully punched me before backing away. I’ll be damned if the moonlight allowed me to see she had tears in her eyes.
I only hoped the tears of joy wouldn’t turn into ones of hatred.
As I glanced up at the stars in the sky, I shook my head. I hadn’t wanted to mention Amara but it did feel like a weight had been lifted, a burden tossed aside. Maybe I was a fool for thinking that way. Or maybe the sick fuck inside of me had wanted to tug on her heartstrings. I wasn’t certain who I was any longer.
I grabbed a pair of jeans from the dresser only seconds later, shoving my legs into them. That’s all I needed to wear.
Music was already coming from the kitchen as I made my way down the stairs. I stood just inside the doorway, watching as she pulled out various cheeses and meat, olives and vegetables. And as always happened when we were in the same room, she lifted her head as soon as she realized I was close.
And as anticipated, her smile faded.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong, although I want to make certain you stay inside the house tomorrow.” I no longer recognized my voice. I was aching from what needed to happen.
“Why?”
“Because things are getting dicey back in the States. I also need to ask you some questions.”
“This sounds serious,” she said, pulling a kitchen towel into her hands and wiping them.
“Yes, Jenna. I don’t like what’s going on, feeling out of control. I also don’t want to hide anything from you any longer. These questions might startle you, but they are necessary.”
She took a deep breath, narrowing her eyes. “Okay. Be direct.”
“How did you find out about the lease on the building?”
“I already told you that. I saw an ad online, although I was shocked it was still available when I called the guy.”
“Okay, did you know who Rocky Salvatore was?”
“An asshole. Why?”
“Because it would appear he had a connection to some bad people in New York.”
“O-kay. Why are you telling me this?” She rounded the corner of the kitchen island, folding her arms.
I rubbed my jaw and walked closer. “Did Rocky say anything to you?”
“No. I told you he came onto me, talking about keeping me protected. Of course, there was an unsaid ‘if’ I did whatever he wanted. What else would he have said?”
“He might have been intent on protecting you. Did he lure you back to your clinic the night I met you?”
She narrowed her eyes, thinking about my question. “No. I mean he did give me the keys two days early, which shocked me, but no. A client did. I wasn’t ready to open for business but I had a strange call from someone.”
“Did anything weird happen?”
“Why does it seem as if you’re suggesting that I had something to do with luring you into the veterinary clinic?”
“Just answer the question.”
I sensed she was getting angry. “The client I just mentioned decided not to show up. Didn’t call to cancel. Didn’t say shit. It was going to be after hours, but I was so excited about being in business that I didn’t care or harbor any anger. What the hell are you getting at?”
“Tell me about your mother’s past.”