Page 107 of Beautifully Ruined

“Keep bringing it up, and it still won’t change a thing.” He pats my back then rolls back to get his coffee. “She’s stubborn like you said, and it’s up your alley and hers. What’s the harm? You’llbe there, and she just might deflect some of Thomas’s attention from you. She’s pretty enough. If she does that, then you might be able to do some extra digging.”

“Fuck no,” I snarl. “There’s no way I’m using Vi as bait. And no one’s getting any kind of chance to put their slimy hands on her. That man’s a predator. I’m not letting her in his sights without mine fully on her.”

Enzo’s eyes gleam as he sips his coffee. “Who knew you could be so jealous?”

“Shut your mouth, or I’ll shut it for you.” I snatch up my coffee and take a vicious swallow.

My so-called friend laughs, putting up his hands to ward me off. “Okay, fine. I promise to be quiet. But…she won’t stop going. My theory is as much as you try to protect her, she’s doing the same to you.”

“Idiot.”

Enzo goes back to his computer. “And she wants to find that Gianna.”

I look at him. “What’s the latest on Ivan?”

I’m hoping dead in a ditch somewhere, but I don’t think it’s that sort of gone to ground. Like I’ve said before, he’s either hiding out somewhere in the embassy, or he’s back in Russia, hiding there.

For now.

Enzo shrugs. “I’ve got men hunting him down. They’ll find him sooner or later. But nothing right now.”

I nod, and I shift in my seat. I’d rather know where the asshole was. Last thing I need is a surprise attack. Again. “What about we reach out to your uncle? He’s got mafia ties.”

“We’ve got mafia ties.”

“You know what I mean, Enzo. He’s involved in a way that we aren’t.” I wait for his answer. To me, it’s a good idea.

However, not to Enzo. “I don’t know. He might be family, but Uncle Gino does nothing for free.”

It’s gettingdark when Vi finally gets in through the door. I watched where she went, amused she ignored my suggestion of a specialty store that has all the outfits suitable for tonight.

She comes in with so many bags I don’t know how the fuck she got in or if the credit card I gave her this morning will ever recover.

I follow her, picking up the bags that drop as she walks into the bedroom.

“It’s one evening out, Vi. What the fuck?”

She spins to look at me, color painting her cheeks. “Unlike you, I’ve never been to a club like this. It’s important I get the right thing to wear.”

“So, you bought half of Manhattan?” I really don’t care, but I love giving her a hard time. “And I gave you the address of a place that was stuffed with the right outfits.”

Her mouth drops open. “And scar Lia for life? I don’t think so. Besides, I think that’s too…obvious. I have to be me. Or you could have dressed me.”

She’s fucking right, I could have done that. And I might, for a real evening out to a club.

But now I’m interested in what she has.

“Besides… Who knows how many times we’ll be going back.”

“No times. You’ll be going tonight plus no more times, got that?”

“We might need to.”

“It’s too dangerous, Vi.”

She slams a hand on her hip. “Thomas wanted me there.”

“I know exactly what Thomas wants, and he’s not getting it.”