Page 71 of Ruined

“You make me sound like a saint.”

“You’re not,” Dominic said, smirking. “You’re stubborn as hell, reckless, and half the time, you don’t think before you act. But that’s part of what makes youyou.I’ve been curious since Santino told me about how you were taken as a kid. I want to figure you out, and I want to be the one you finally let in.”

I tried to sit up, to put some space between us, but Dominic’s hand pressed against my chest, shoving me back.

“This isn’t a one-night stand, Luca.”

I swallowed hard. “If Sonny finds out?—”

“Let him. I’m not afraid of your cousin.”

“He might not take it well.”

He shrugged. “I’ve never hidden who I am, and I’m sure as hell not starting now.”

Panic threaded through me. “Please don’t tell anyone. I…I’m not ready.”

“Fine,” he bit out after a long pause. “But I have a condition. When we’re alone, you’re mine. No more of this self-torture bullshit. You belong to me, and you’re going to accept that.”

I hesitated. “Okay.”

Dominic released my wrists, leaning down to kiss me. He rolled onto his side, one arm draped over my waist, pulling me close.

I wanted to sink into his warmth, but my thoughts refused to settle. I let out a shaky breath, staring up at the ceiling.

This is a disaster waiting to happen.

The buzz of my phone shattered the stillness, dragging my attention to the nightstand. Santino’s name glowed on the screen, and a cold knot twisted in my stomach.

EIGHTEEN

DOMINIC

When I woke up, Luca was gone.

I sat up, glancing around the bedroom that wasn’t mine. I stretched, scrubbing a hand over my face. Why the hell was I still here?

Luca didn’t need a caregiver anymore. He was perfectly capable of looking after himself, but I stayed like I had an excuse to keep an eye on him.

Maybe it was habit.

I dragged myself out of bed, my body still humming from the night before. I showered quickly. I dressed and made myself a cappuccino, and he still hadn’t shown up.

Figures.

Luca was consistent in one thing—running before anyone got too close. I grabbed my phone, scrolling through emails until a text popped up.

Luca

You’re going to the meeting today, right?

I stared at the screen, my jaw tightening. Nogood morning,nosorry for disappearing.Just straight to business.

Didn’t realize you’d skipped out.

A pause. Then three dots appeared, vanishing again before another message came through.

Luca