Page 23 of Ruthless Truths
Sitting at the table, I motion for her to join me, my eyes fixated on the feast before us—fresh breadsticks, chicken alfredo, and a Caesar salad. The combined scents are mouth-watering, overpowering any thoughts of Luca.
“What?” I ask, uncovering the warm goodness and nearly melting in my seat at the sight of the delectable spread.
“Luca asked me to bring you food again,” Justine answers, a hint of mischief in her voice. “Do you know why? Of course, you don’t. You were sleeping. But he knew that because he came up here to check on you and get you food himself.”
My head shakes involuntarily, and I quickly swallow my pasta to avoid choking. “Not possible,” I manage to mumble.
Her grin widens, and she meets my gaze head-on. “Oh, my new friend. It absolutely is. Luca Monroe likes you.”
I place my fork down, my heart skipping a beat as I laugh incredulously. “You’re on crack if you think that. He wants to murder me.”
Justine’s expression turns serious, her gaze unwavering. “I promise you, Olivia. I have no intention of lying to you. Not for Luca or any other purpose. I told you to comply, because I truly believe it’s the easiest and quickest way to get you out of here. But in the few months I’ve lived in this compound, they have never brought a witness back here. Do you know how I arrived?”
I hesitate before answering. I don’t want to know the answer, but she tells me anyway.
“I was being stalked, and Jaxon came to my rescue,” she reveals. “He basically kidnapped me off the street and brought me here. Then he killed my stalker. I thought this would terrify me, that this was never a life I could live. But they’re not evil men, Olivia. They do bad things, but not for fun. They protect what they deem worthy of their fierceness. Luca has deemed you worthy. Him bringing you here is a big deal, even if he’s still being an asshole.”
I’m at a loss for words, my breath caught in my throat. This can’t be true. I don’t want to know these things, because ignoring my attraction to the man I consider a monster is already challenging enough. To hear Justine speak of him in this manner...it makes my heart constrict.
This isn’t the world for me. I’m glad that Justine has found some semblance of peace here, but it’s not a life I can embrace. I’ve already lost so much, and surrendering my freedom to the mafia is not an option for me. No way in hell. What I long for are the images I drew—the garden in my mother’s backyard, the flowers that brought light into my life. More than anything, I need them to honor my mother’s memory.
Those thoughts remind me that there are more important matters to discuss than Luca Monroe and what heisn’tfeeling for me.
“Can I ask a big favor of you?” I say to Justine, changing the subject not only to avoid any emotions she might force me to deal with, but because saving the house is at the top of my priority list.
Justine reaches for my hand beside my plate, squeezing it reassuringly. “You can ask, and I’ll do my best to make it happen.”
That’s the best I can hope for, and I don’t resent her for that answer. It’s just another reason I can’t stay here any longer than necessary.
“When my mother died, she left me her house but also a mountain of bills,” I explain, “including past-due property taxes that will soon lead to her house being auctioned if I don’t pay. I was supposed to deal with it this week, but that won’t happen without help. My friend Tori can handle everything, but she’ll start asking questions about my whereabouts. I have an idea of what we could tell her—”
Justine cuts me off with a wave of her hand. “Nonsense. We don’t need to involve Tori. These men have money coming out of their ears. Let me handle this. Give me the address, and I’ll make all these problems go away for you.”
I blink, uncertain how to respond. “I have some money—”
“No,” she states firmly. “This is the least we can do for you. Let me handle this. Please.”
My mother always told me to never look a gift horse in the mouth. Though, I can’t help but wonder if accepting her help will further entangle me with these people. Can I afford that? Absolutely not. But with the unwavering determination in Justine’s gaze, I don’t feel like I have any other choice.
“Fine, but I’ll pay you back when this is all done,” I say, picking up my fork again, because I can’t fathom letting this meal go cold. Not only because I’m starving but because of Luca’s earlier warning about not being wasteful.
Her lips thin. “Yeah, I’ll be sure to make sure you do that.”
She won’t, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try. It’s a matter of principle.
The door to the room swings open, drawing our attention. As Luca walks in, Justine swiftly rises to her feet.
“Enjoy your dinner,” she says. “I’ll check in on you tomorrow morning.”
Hopefully that will be to get my address and make sure my mother’s house isn’t sold out from under me.
As she leaves, she nods at Luca. He says nothing to her, barely even giving her a glance. Instead, his eyes seem to be searching the room.
“Did you decide to sleep earlier so you didn’t have to be in bed with me tonight?” he asks with a challenging tone once we’re alone.
Oh, this royal pain in my ass.
“I slept because some psycho kept me in a cold cell for two days and I was exhausted,” I snap back. Apparently, playing coy isn’t going to work for me. I at least gave it a valiant try.