Page 8 of King of Ruin

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Page 8 of King of Ruin

“We’re from Rome,” Vigo says with pride. “Still keep in touch with family there. In fact, one of our cousins is visiting.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask if their Italian relatives are gangsters too. I get sassy when I’m irritated, and this date is on the way to pissing me off.

But Vincent speaks first. “You should go there sometime. Sights are amazing.”

Kate delicately clears her throat, as I try to hide a smile. His words don’t bother me, it’s difficult to consider things fromother people’s perspectives, but the idea of me sightseeing is amusing. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

The waiter arrives and Vigo and Vincent begin ordering for the table.

Kate leans closer. “What is the extent of your impairment?”

“Legally blind but only just,” I reply, also used to this question.

“If you need any help tonight, just ask,” she offers with a light touch to my arm.

“Thank you, Kate. I really appreciate that.”

“I don’t know about you,” she leans closer. “But I only said yes to get a really nice dinner. They’ve been hard to come by lately and I could tell Vincent would spring for a quality restaurant.”

I let out a very soft laugh. “I was hoping for a really good dessert,” I reply with a wink.

She lets out a small gasp before she laughs too. “Oh, you’re fun.”

I hope I can get her number before the night is out. I don’t think I’m getting another date or dessert out of my night with Vigo, but a new friend would be amazing.

I let most of my college friends go when I dropped out. Lucia is right about one thing. I’ve let my world get very small. But caring for my gran at the end was tough and then I was grieving. But it’s time to step out into the world again.

The rest of the evening passes in much the same fashion, and I’m relieved when we load in the car to go home.

I’m certain that Vigo won’t ask for an invitation in since we’re with other people. If he does ask me out again, I can just say no.

I do lean over to Kate on the drive home. “Any chance you’d be interested in coffee sometime?”

“I’d love that,” she whispers back as I hand her my phone and she plugs in her number.

I take the phone back, just as we pull up to the curb. I expect Vigo to open the door right away but the energy in the car shifts again. A tension fills the car as Vigo spits something in Italian to his brother and Vincent curses in return.

I barely notice when the phone slips from my fingers.

“Whose car is that?” Vincent rumbles. “Who do you know that’s got a Ferrari?”

“Me?” I ask, shaking my head. “No one.” People in my world don’t drive sports cars. Lucia has a beat up, very old Honda Civic.

“I’ll get her inside,” Vigo mutters. “Don’t do anything until her door is closed.” And then I’m being whisked out of the car, Vigo tugging me from the seat.

“What does that mean?” Kate asks just as the door slams shut. I turn toward her, squeezing Vigo’s arm.

“Kate should come in too?—"

“Don’t fucking move,” Vincent says. I have no idea who he’s talking to. Me? But I freeze at his harsh tone.

Vigo, however, tugs me forward, pulling me toward the house. I nearly trip on the sidewalk but he doesn’t stop. “Key,” he barks.

I pull the metal from my pocket, as I lift it up with a trembling hand. “Please.” I try again. “You can leave Kate here. But she should come in with us.”

“Shut up.” He inserts the key in the lock and swings open the door just as two pops fill the night.

“What was…” I start to ask but his hand comes to my face.




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