Page 47 of Beautifully Ruined

“She worked for him the summer she disappeared.”

He waits.

I bite back my impatience. “We should see about getting me in there as an intern.”

“I’m not sure…”

“I need an internship. And maybe I can find something.”

“I don’t want you in danger.”

“Really?”

He breathes out. “Vi…”

“Come on. It’ll be fine.”

He looks at me for the longest time. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you.” I hug him and kiss him, my heart melting. “I’ll go get all the things we’ll need.”

I rush off and smile.

The more I get to know Cade, the more perfect he is.

For me.

Chapter Nine

CADE

Talkabout being backed into a corner.

I don’t answer my buzzing phone. I know it’s fucking Enzo and that he’s been listening downstairs. And watching.

She is the perfect candidate, I know that. With her studies, brains, and the need to finish her internship, she’s a shoe in.

I have no idea if he’s looking for one, but I can make it that he needs her.

And sure, I’m worried about Vi.

She’s been through a lot.

I want to wrap her up tight, lock her away. Protect her.

I want to see her as fragile.

She isn’t, though. She’s strong and tenacious and is already handling everything that’s happened to her better than a lot of grown men I’ve met.

But I’m not sure why I’m agreeing to this, other than I am a fool for her.

I know the only time she sleeps is in my arms. I know because I don’t sleep until she’s gone into a deep sleep.

I could argue she needs to get things together, and she’d tell me she’d get them together if she knew Gianna was safe. Maybe not those words, but those sentiments. Stubborn, driven, that’s Vi.

And she’s fucking right.

If we want to see if the good senator has been up to something or if he pissed off the wrong people, then having her there gives us an inside view.