Page 129 of Ruined

“Whenever I could.”

My throat tightened. “Jesus, Luca.”

“I know it’s fucked up, but you weren’t answering my texts. I couldn’t sit around and wonder if you were okay.”

“Have you ever been through a breakup?”

He shook his head.

I sighed. “Well, that explains it.”

He shot me a sharp look. “Maybe I handled it like a psycho, but I’d do it again.”

If he hadn’t, I’d probably be dead. I couldn’t stop staring at him. His messy hair fell into his eyes, brushing the sheen of sweat on his forehead. The way he touched me felt so…loving.

“Luca.”

“Save it,” he hissed. “I’m not leaving you alone.”

I took his wrist. “I’m not going to throw you out, sweetheart.”

His eyes burned.

I sighed. “But you don’t have to do this.”

“You took care of me when I could barely move.”

I watched Luca work, the room silent except for the soft sounds of the cloth against my skin. It should’ve been uncomfortable, but it felt… right. I leaned back against the pillows, letting out a slow breath.

“So, what have you been up to for the last few weeks? Besides stalking me.”

He shrugged. “Studying for the GED. Or trying to. Haven’t exactly been able to focus. My head’s been somewhere else.”

I didn’t need a map to figure out where that was.

“And?” I pressed.

“And what?”

“What else? You’re not the type to sit still.”

His fingers stilled, the cloth dripping water onto the sheets. “For weeks, I’ve been looking for Alexei. I can’t… I can’t feel safe until he’s gone. Until I know he’s not out there, waiting to kill me... or plotting to kill someone I…”

Son of a bitch.

Everything clicked—the restless energy, the stalking, the way he hovered around me like a shadow. Luca was afraid for me. The bastard had been running himself ragged because he couldn’t stop thinking about protecting me.

“Luca, you can’t take that bastard on by yourself.”

I reached out to cup his jaw. He tensed for a moment before leaning into the touch, his eyes fluttering shut.

When he opened them again, his glazed eyes nearly broke me. “I’ve been a mess without you. I can’t sleep, can’t think straight.”

“Luca.”

“I tried to stay away, but I couldn’t. I keep wondering if you need me.”

“I did,” I admitted. “I still do.”