Page 128 of Ruined

THIRTY

DOMINIC

We went to my place.

Luca’s arm wrapped my waist as he helped me inside. Santino followed us, his gaze lingering on Luca. He definitely saw us kissing in the basement, but he didn’t say anything as Luca lowered me to my bed. Luca gathered first aid supplies and set them on the nightstand.

Santino hovered by the door. “Do you need a doctor?”

My eyes fluttered. “Nothing’s broken. I’ll be fine.”

He nodded. “Alright, then. I’m going to head out. I’ll see you both later.”

He glanced at Luca and left the apartment.

Luca crouched beside me, his dark eyes scanning every inch of my face. I hadn’t seen him in weeks, and he looked like hell. Disheveled hair and dark circles under his eyes. The hoodie he wore hung off his frame like he’d forgotten how clothes fit, and it tugged at my heart.

“Dom.”

His rough voice made my chest tighten.

“You don’t have to stay.”

“Yeah, I do.”

The ache in my ribs throbbed. “I’m not good company right now.”

His jaw clenched. “You took care of me. Let me take care of you.”

That stole the air from my lungs. His hands moved gently over my skin, like he was afraid I’d break if he pressed too hard.

He cleaned the blood from my face with careful strokes, his fingers brushing my skin. Every touch sent a jolt through me.

“My brothers teamed up with the Bratva. Thought they could force me to give up my dad’s estate.”

Luca’s hand stilled. “Your brothers sold you out?”

“Yeah. They wanted to split it with the Russians once I was out of the picture. They were going to claim guardianship.”

“Then I’m glad I killed them,” he snapped, his hands trembling as he set the cloth aside.

“How did you even find me?”

He hesitated. “I’ve been following you.”

My brows lifted.

“I didn’t know what else to do. I couldn’t sit at home and pretend I was okay. So I followed you. To the casino, to…everywhere.”

A strange warmth spread through my chest, warring with the pain. I reached out, my fingers brushing his. “You’re an idiot.”

His head snapped up. “What?”

“You’re a fucking idiot,” I said, a smirk tugging at my lips. “But you saved me. You didn’t run. You came back to me.”

Luca disappeared to the kitchen. He returned with a bowl of warm water. He set it on the nightstand, his focus locked onto me like I’d disappear if he didn’t keep his eyes on me. His hands shook as he soaked a cloth and reached for my face. The image of Luca trailing me everywhere made my chest ache.

“How often did you stalk me?” I asked.