Page 141 of Ruined

She squeezed my hand. “Santino’s hard as hell, but he’s right. This isn’t the way to deal with it. Promise me you’ll take it easy, okay? No more stunts like this.”

I grunted.

She sighed. “I’ll check on Santino before he puts his fist through a wall. Get some rest, Luca.”

She slipped out, the door clicking shut behind her. Silence swallowed the room whole. Just me, the hum of hospital machines, and a weight pressing on my chest.

My phone buzzed.

I froze. My eyes darted to the screen—Unknown Number.

I grabbed the phone, swiping it open.

Unknown

I have Dominic. Come alone, or you’ll get him back in pieces. – A

My blood turned to ice. My hands gripped the phone so tightly the screen nearly cracked.

Alexei.

My stomach turned, bile rising in my throat. That sick fuck hadDominic?

No.

I hit Dominic’s number, my thumb smashing the call button. The phone rang, and my breath caught.Come on, Dom. Pick up.Pick up.

Straight to voicemail.

I swallowed hard. I tried again. It rang longer this time before cutting off.

Voicemail.

“Fuck.”

I called again. My pulse pounded, matching the dread in my gut. I hit redial over and over.

“Pick up the goddamn phone!” I snarled.

No answer. Just the robotic recording of his voicemail.

My breathing turned ragged. Maybe Dominic’s phone had died. Maybe he was driving. Or maybe…

I ripped the sheets off my legs and tore off the tape on my hand. Pain exploded through my arm as I ripped the IV free, blood welling where the needle had been. I hissed through clenched teeth, clutching the crook of my elbow to stop the bleeding.

The dull ache in my ribs flared as I swung my legs off the bed, sending sharp stabs through my side. I froze, hunched over, breathing hard through my nose.

Every muscle felt raw, like I’d been scraped from the inside out. My jaw throbbed where Ethan’s punches had landed, and bruises mottled my ribs beneath the thin hospital gown. I didn’t need a mirror to know I looked like shit—black eye, swollen knuckles, and skin that ached under every shift of fabric.

I stood slowly, pressing a hand to my side where fresh stitches pulled against angry skin. My legs shook beneath me, but I gritted my teeth and forced them to hold.

Move. You don’t have time for this.

I swiped the phone off the nightstand. Every inch of me protested as I bent to grab my jeans off the chair. Dressing took twice as long as it should have. I pulled the shirt over my head, sweat slicking my forehead. My vision swam dangerously.

It’s a trap.

Of course it was. Alexei didn’t play fair.