Page 111 of Ruined

“I came to check on him,” I said evenly. “To make sure he’s being taken care of.”

Her lip curled. “Don’t pretend you care about my husband. This isyourfault.”

I didn’t argue. What was the point? It wouldn’t change the fact that her husband was in a hospital bed with his face rearranged. Frank was an idiot. He’d probably run his mouth to the wrong man.

“You treat your men like pawns. Frank works late, he misses birthdays, anniversaries—foryou.And this is what he gets?” She wiped her face. “Do you know what I told my kids? I told them their daddy fell because he slipped on ice.”

Thanks a lot, Frank.“The doctors will do everything they can. I’ll make sure of it.”

She blinked. I reached out, patting her hand. “Let me handle this, Mrs. Tomasetti. Frank’s going to be fine.”

Her chin wobbled, and the tears started again. I stood there and let her hold my hand like I wasn’t the last person she should’ve trusted.

I stayed for two minutes longer, pretending to care about a man I couldn’t stand. Then I walked past her and into the hall.

The hospital room door groaned when I opened it. Frank was sprawled in bed, looking like a bag of meat someone had stomped on. His left eye was swollen shut, the purple so dark it bordered on black. Bandages covered his nose and lip, and he wheezed.

I wanted to laugh.

Frank’s one good eye tracked me. “The hell are you doing here?”

I shut the door behind me. “Checking in.”

“On what? Your boy’s handiwork?”

My jaw ticked, but I forced myself to stay calm. Luca had done this? How did he even havetime? I just left his apartment. I checked my phone. Nothing. I texted Luca.

I heard about Frank.

Are you alright?

He didn’t reply right away, so I slipped the phone in my jacket, glaring at Frank. “What the hell happened?”

“He came to the bar and started some shit.”

I sneered at him. “Out of the blue?”

“Yeah. He showed up and wentballistic.”

That does sound like Luca. “Well, you must’ve said something to deserve it.”

“I said nothing! He kept going on about my texts to you.”

I sighed, rubbing my face. I loved Luca and his unhinged jealousy, but it could cause me problems. Loose cannons weren’t good for business. If the boss found out that a rookie had done this to a high-earner, there would be trouble.

I shrugged. “He’s very protective.”

“Is that all you have to say to me?”

“You did this to yourself. Luca gave you plenty of warning. He’s not the type of guy you can fuck around with.”

“He could’ve killed me.”

“I’m here to smooth this over before you do something stupid.”

Frank laughed bitterly. “You mean putting down that psycho?”

“Hey. Don’t talk crazy.”