Page 37 of Ruined

“You’re tense,” she whispered. “Do you want to ditch this party and head to my place?”

Dominic still chatted with the bartender. Was he flirting with him? I tried to focus on anything but Dominic, but a cold whisper cut through my frustration.

I scanned the crowd. Then I saw them.

Two men near the far wall, just barely in the light. One of them had a jagged scar across his cheek. The other, in a black leather jacket, stood at an angle. My gut clenched.

Bratva.

My chest tightened.

“Luca,” Maria said, her hand brushing my chest. “You’re not even listening to me.”

I forced a smile. “I need you to do me a favor.”

She frowned. “What kind of favor?”

“Go home. I’ll meet you there later, okay?”

Maria’s pout deepened. “You’re ditching me? Luca?—”

“I’ll explain later, I promise. Call a cab. I’ll take care of the bill.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You owe me for this.”

“Whatever you want. Just go now.”

Maria huffed and turned, weaving her way through the crowd toward the exit. I didn’t relax until she stepped through the door and out of sight.

Then I moved.

I cut through the bodies, my focus locked on Dominic at the bar.

I tapped Dominic’s shoulder. “Got a minute?”

Dominic glanced at me. “What do you want?”

“We need to talk.”

Dominic turned around, leaning back against the bar. His smile deepened. “What’s eating you, Luca?”

I clenched my jaw. “We have to leave.”

“We just got here. Sit, have a drink.”

“I don’t want a drink,” I ground out.

“Want something else in your mouth?”

Heat prickled up my neck. “No.”

“You sure?”

My stomach dropped. “Look, what happened the other day was a mistake.”

“You seemed to be enjoying yourself.”

I swallowed hard. “It won’t happen again.”