Page 16 of Ruin

“And?” My voice comes out strained.

He darts a glance past me at Vin and Matti. They are motionless, two statues watching. Waiting.

Tony swallows, clearing his throat. “I don’t know what’s going on between you two—”

“It’s none of your fucking business.” My blade presses a fraction harder.

His mouth twists in disagreement. “If you’re together, it’s not. But if you’re not together—”

“Think carefully before you speak,” I grind out, scraping the steel along his skin.

His throat flexes under the blade. “If you’re not together, Tommy, I’m all in if she wants me. And if she does, then it’s none of your fucking business what happens between us.”

Lexi’s voice slams back into my brain, unwelcome:She’s in love with him. He’s in love with her. They’re a good match.

I bare my teeth. “Everything with her will always be my business.” I shove away from him, sheathing my knife, my chest heaving.

The room holds still for a beat. Matti’s unblinking stare, Vin’s sharp sneer, Tony rubbing his throat. Then Aurelio reappears in the doorway, gaze sweeping the scene like he’s sniffing out blood. He crooks his fingers at Tony. “Come.”

Tony follows, glancing back at me before disappearing through the doorway.

Vin waits until they’re gone, then whistles low. “Tony fucked your girl?”

I grunt and pivot, heading for the door as my brothers fall into step next to me. The walk out of Aurelio’s house and across the compound feels endless, gravel crunching under our boots as the dark outlines of the estate loom around us.

“I’m surprised you didn’t skin him alive,” Matti says finally, his voice even.

Vin frowns. “Weren’t they together on New Year’s Eve? Why didn’t you just take her from him then?”

I scowl down at the ground and turn my hat so the visor is low over my eyes. I can feel Vin staring at me.

He finally steps in front of me, gripping my shoulders, forcing me to meet his eyes. “Listen. I’m the first to admit I don’t get how your brain works, and this shit with Giovanna is none of my business—”

“You’re right. It’s none of your business.” I start to pullaway, but Matti blocks me, jerking his chin toward Vin. It’s an ambush I can’t avoid, apparently. I shove my hands in my pockets, hiking my shoulders up to my ears, bracing myself.

Vin doesn’t take anything seriously except business, so his intensity right now sets me on edge. “You get fixated on things sometimes, and you don’t let go. It’s honestly what makes you brilliant at work, school, defending our family. You never quit, and we fucking love that about you.”

Matti nods.

“But this girl—”

“This woman,” Matti corrects smoothly.

Vin rolls his eyes. “Fine. Thiswoman. If you want her, take her. The only thing stopping you is you.”

Matti clears his throat. “What he means is that it’s obvious you’re in love with her. I know you’ve got a mental list where every box needs to be checked before you’re ready. But life isn’t a formula, Tommy. Sometimes you just…take a chance.”

Vin swats my hat off my head, and I snatch it midair. “There’s no avoiding messy when it comes to women.”

“Your point?” I snap. How did I get to the point where I’m taking romantic advice from Vin, the man who sticks his dick in every wet pussy within arm’s reach?

“Just fuck her already.”

There it is. I glare at him, and Matti cuts in. “He means shoot your shot. Find out if it’s worth your time. If not, move on. If it is, you’ve got your girl.”

I shake my head. “She’s leaving for school. I’ve got law school—”

“You got in?” Matti asks.