Page 148 of Beautifully Ruined

“It went south as jobs do, but the fact her Isaac was the link, and your act of heroism the loud shout. She makes you a better person? Not going to argue, but I think she makes you a worse player.”

“We had some bad luck. And I find that last comment offensive.”

“Dude, you’ve got me asking Uncle Gino for favors.”

He’s got a point. But I can’t change my actions. Just like I can’t pretend I don’t have feelings for Vi. Major fucking feelings. And life is messy.

“Let’s concentrate on what we can do and where we are.” I look at him. “We can handle it, and I know we can use something when this is done, for some of our clients. We know enough of them who’d love to see the downfall of the congressman, as well as those who’d like their hands on the kind of money coming into Allistair’s holdings. And from what we’ve seen, The Dungeon seems to be the center of the questionable parts of his wealth.”

“Agreed. But you need to keep your girl away. If you can.”

I bite back a comment because he’s right. We know each other too well. “Don’t worry about her.”

And like I’ve said Violet’s name three times and she’s some kind of bewitched creature, she appears.

I’m not a fairy tale guy, but there’s something about her that makes me suddenly think of magic and happy ever afters, things that don’t exist.

I’m no pessimist, but I’m aware that this thing with us could burn out, aware she could move on. After all, she’s at the start of her discovery process, and I know my boundaries and what I like. I know how to get what I need. And I know how rare it is to find a life partner who shares that.

Life partner?

What the fuck am I even thinking?

She’s twenty-one. While I love her and I can see me never getting sick of Vi, I know she could definitely move on. My job is to keep her safe and leave her in a better place when it goes south.

Unlike Jack.

I suck in a breath because my head is going off in tangents it shouldn’t.

Vi’s holding her phone as she sits.

“You called in sick?”

She doesn’t quite look at me. “Nope. I got a message that Walsh is away until Monday, but we have a pile of things to prep. I’m going in.”

Enzo’s gaze burns into me.

“That’s a bad idea. This is the perfect time for you to take a few days.” I look at her.

Still her gaze doesn’t quite meet mine. Does she even get I can check her messages? It’s fucking easy for me. If she’s lying…

Then she finally looks at me. “I don’t think that’s the best thing. Not after my meet up with Macy. It’ll make me look suspicious. Besides?—”

“You’re not digging around.” I set my mug down a little harder than I mean to. “It’s fucking dangerous.”

“I’m not. The office is full, remember? I can’t go into his space without suspicion. I want to just go about things like normal.” Her gaze flickers to Enzo and back again. “Besides, if you two need the club, then since Macy works there, it makes sense not to make her suspicious.”

I frown. “Fine. You can go to work, but don’t do anything stupid.”

“I won’t.”

And with that, I check the time. If she’s going to get to work…

Enzo throws some money on the table. “Listen to him, kid. Don’t go and be stupid. But go to work. Cade? I’ll see you in a few hours.”

I throw some money down, too, and try not to take in her uneaten bagel. It makes my chest contract tightly. I don’t like her not eating. I don’t like she’s twisting herself in knots.

And I don’t like I can’t lock her away until all this is over.