Page 115 of Ruined
My heart lurched. I shot a glance at Santino as Delilah hurried toward the door.
“You invited him over?”
Santino glanced at me. “He saved your life. We owe him dinner.”
I clenched my jaw. The last thing I needed was Dominic showing up tonight. Delilah’s cheerful voice echoed as she opened the door, greeting him.
Dominic walked in. His crisp shirt still clung to his chest in a maddening way, but his smile didn’t quite touch his eyes. He handed Delilah a block of imported cheese wrapped in wax paper.
“This is for you.”
She smiled. “You didn’t have to bring anything.”
Delilah set the cheese on the counter. Her hands trembled, but Dominic pretended not to notice. Nobody knew about Delilah’s alcohol problem except for close family. Somehow, Dominic had known to avoid that landmine.
Was he that good at reading people?
I caught myself staring, my chest tightening. Dominic’s charisma was a weapon. Watching him wield it mesmerized me.
Dominic slid into the chair across from me, one arm draped over the backrest. He was on edge. I’d spent too long watching him to miss his tells.
Dominic was waiting for me to stop pushing him away, to just… let him in.
And I couldn’t.
A dull ache throbbed in my chest, and I shoved a piece of bread into my mouth.
The last time Dominic had looked at me like this, it broke me. He’d stood there, demanding answers, and I’d shoved him away. The flicker of hurt in his eyes haunted my nightmares.
It had to be done.
Dominic didn’t belong in my mess. Dominic was perfect, and being with me was like rolling in broken glass. Eventually, he’d bleed. It would’ve been so easy to admit what I’d done and why, but I couldn’t.
What would I even say?
I hate anyone else having your attention.I care about you so much it fucking terrifies me. I can never be with you the way I want.
I forced myself to meet his eyes. “Mr. Caruso.”
His attention wandered to my wrists, and his smirk deepened. “No need to be so formal.”
I shook out my sleeves, and my heart sank. Dominic’s cufflinks. Fuck. I’d put them on for the dinner. Tension coiled tighter in my chest. Dominic’s presence felt like a spotlight on everything I was trying to hide.
Auntie’s brow furrowed. “Do you two know each other?”
“You could say that, Mrs. Costa. I’m Luca’s boss.”
My teeth ground together. The last thing I needed was my family finding out about Dominic and me.
“Boss, huh? So you’re the one that let Luca get hurt?”
“Ma,” Santino snapped. “Leave it alone.”
“No, she’s got a point. I let things slip once, but I won’t make that mistake again. Right, Luca?” Dominic swiveled his head toward me, and heat crawled up my neck.
I nodded stiffly. “Right.”
Auntie’s fork clattered against her plate. “So, what kind of work does Luca do for you?”