Page 112 of Ruined

“He’s dangerous. You’re an idiot if you can’t see that.”

I walked to the side of his bed. “He’s dangerous toyou.”

“I didn’t deserve this.”

“Look, I’ll pay for your goddamn medical bills.”

His lips curled. “That’s supposed to placate me?”

“It should,” I said darkly. “But clearly, you’re feeling real brave from the safety of this hospital bed.”

Frank’s good eye narrowed. “You’re protecting him. Why’s that, Dom? Is it because he’s your fucktoy?”

“Watch your mouth.”

Frank sneered. “Luca all but said he was riding your dick.”

Shock flew through me. “He did?”

“Yeah, and you’re standing here while he picks fights like a rabid dog. That’s your new man? The Bratva’s little pet?”

I grabbed the rails of the hospital bed. “You want to talk about Luca like that again? Go ahead. I’ll rip that IV out and choke you with it.”

Frank paled. “Jesus?—”

“I don’t give a fuck if Luca knocked your teeth down your throat. You got off easy.” My hand gripped the bedrail so tightly it creaked. “I can make what Luca did to you look likeforeplay.”

“Dom—”

“Shut the fuck up. Youbreatheabout this to anyone, and I’ll personally see to it that you’re buried so deep, no one will ever find the body. You understand me?”

Frank’s hand fisted the sheet.

I stepped back. Frank wouldn’t dare take this higher. The coward liked to bark but always tucked in his tail when someone bared their teeth.

I turned to leave. “One more thing.”

Frank flinched.

“Call him a dog again, and you’ll be eating your meals through a straw for the rest of your life.”

“Luca, open the damn door.”

It creaked open just enough to reveal him standing there, shirt rumpled, bruised jaw shadowed in the dim light of the hallway.

“Dom?”

I pushed the door open farther and stepped inside. “You gonna let me in, or are we doing this in the hall?”

Luca stepped aside, wordless.

I scanned the room as I entered. A half-empty vodka bottle sat on the counter, its cap missing. His jacket was crumpled on the couch.

Luca shut the door. “What do you want, Dominic?”

“Iwantto know what the hell is wrong with you.” I turned fully to face him. “You put Frank in the hospital.”

He leaned against the counter. “And?”