Page 109 of Ruined

I stripped off my shirt and tossed it onto the floor. My legs felt unsteady, but I forced myself to the sink. I turned on the faucet.

The first splash against my hands made me hiss. I pressed my knuckles under the stream, and blood swirled down the drain. Water turned pink before fading to clear.

My stomach twisted. What had I done? Frank wasn’t a threat, not really. Just a pathetic asshole who couldn’t let go of Dominic. I could’ve handled it differently. Should’ve.

Instead I’d turned into the Bratva version of myself. The one who stood by while Alexei did unspeakable things.

I splashed cold water on my face. Shame sat heavy in my chest. I wanted to call Dominic. His voice would make me feel like I wasn’t drowning, but what the hell would I even say?Hey, Dom, just letting you know I beat the shit out of your floor supervisor. No big deal, right?

My phone rang.

I answered. “What?”

“Luca, it’s me.”

I recognized the feminine whisper.

My stomach dropped. “Delilah.”

I hadn’t talked to her in a while. Her voice brought back memories of locked rooms and vodka-soaked nights. She reminded me of what I’d been forced to do to survive, and I reminded her of everything she wanted to forget. So I kept my distance. It was better for both of us.

“Are you coming to dinner on Sunday?” she asked, her voice hesitant. “You never texted me back.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“It’s just dinner. You don’t have to stay long.”

“I can’t.” The words scraped my throat. “It’s not a good idea.”

“Why? Because I’m there?”

My stomach twisted. “Don’t.”

“You’ve been dodging me ever since you got out. It’s like we’re not friends anymore. I don’t understand what happened.”

“Nothing happened.”

Delilah sighed. “Luca, I can tell when you’re lying.”

Memories flashed. The dark halls of the Pakhan’s mansion. Whispers echoing under locked doors. The scrape of Alexei’s boots. Delilah and I, sneaking vodka like it’d burn the nightmare out of us.

“Look, I can’t be around you anymore.”

“Why? Did I do something?”

“No. It’s just—I have to prove myself every damn day. My cousins look at me like I’m a fucking spy. Hanging out with you doesn’t help convince them otherwise.”

“That’s not true.”

I exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the sink. “They already don’t trust me, Delilah. Being seen with you is just another reason for them to think I haven’t really left the Russians.”

“Youdidleave,” she said fiercely. “You got me and Santino out of there alive.”

“That’s not enough.”

“But they’re your family.”

I wrung my throbbing hand. “I’ve been gone most of their lives. I’m a stranger.”