Page 12 of Ruin Me With Lies

They have no goddamn clue.I’m head of this empire for a reason.Everything rests on my shoulders.Always.They don’t understand how crucialTHE O’s support is to our operation.I fall, the entire Castellos Empire crumbles beyond repair.We aren’t powerful because we know how to pull a trigger, issue a threat, or instill fear.

We’re powerful because ofTHE O.

We have enemies.Lots of them.Surrounded by them.ButTHE O’s protection makes it so we never have to think about those enemies.LosingTHE O’s support is the worst that could happen.

My biggest concern right now?Not knowing if that protection’s there or not.Not knowing if one day I’ll get a call that my brother’s body was found riddled with bullets.Or if a package will show up with Gio’s severed head.That fear has me keeping Lorenzo busy with tasks that ensure he’s somewhere safe.And taking Gio with me everywhere to keep him in my sight.

I’m not on edge because I give a damn about my life.Shit, I’vebeenready to peace out.

I’m on edge because I fear fortheirs.

Lorenzo props a shoulder against the wall and sips from his mug.“Wanted to let you know I brought in a techie.”

For fuck’s sake.“You, me, Gio.That’s what I said, Lo.Just us three.We can’t trust anyone else right now.Especially some random I don’t fucking know.”

“I get that, but my tech skills only go so far,” he argues.“We need someone advanced.Someone outside the surveillance team,becausewe can’t trust anyone right now.”He lifts a hand before I can shoot it down.“Yeah, yeah, Santo warned us not to put out feelers for a tech pro, too high a risk of infiltration.But he also said an idle young hobbyist or broke college kid could be a safe bet.”

“And this new person…?”

“Picked her up from Vivienne,” he replies.“Failed the assets test, but passed the smarts test.”

“You serious?”I lift a brow.“A girl?From The Pink House?”

“I tested her.She’s good.Quiet.Compliant.Doesn’t ask questions.”

“Background check?”

“Got it back an hour ago.All green,” he says.“She’s from a wealthy family in France.Has a scholarly twin brother.Mother’s a big-shot attorney.Father used to be some kind of secret intelligence agent, now defunct—he’s flagged red, though, to keep watch.He could show up for her.”

I rock back in my chair, scratching my jaw.“And she’s herewhy?”

“Running from an unwanted arranged marriage.”

I know how to use my computer and my phone.That’s about as far as my tech skills go.Lorenzo’s always been the one with curiosity for that side of things.Over the years, he’s built up a solid amount of tech knowledge, enough to handle and oversee all our technical operations himself.No point discussing it with me.Most of it goes right over my head.

But given recent circumstances, we’ve been checking in with each other on every little thing.Making sure we’re on the same page.No miscommunication.No slip-ups.

I trust Lorenzo’s judgment.Hell, half the time it’s better than mine.

The only other person I trust with my life is Gio.

Technically, he’s our uncle.Two years younger than us.But he’s been with us for as long as I can remember.Growing up, it was always the three of us, causing trouble, making mischief.Whether here or in Italy—we went back and forth a lot—we were never apart.They used to call us “the triplets.”

Gio is as much my brother as Lorenzo.That’s why he’s in this room.

IfI were to extend the trust circle any further, it would be to our cousin, Luca.A loyal soldier.Not to some random girl from The Pink House.

“Look,” Lorenzo says, “it’s not like we’re trading secrets with her.She wants our protection and we’re giving her that.In exchange, she helps with whatever we ask.That’s all it is.”

This motherfucker doesn’t likeanybody.He’s unfriendly, unwelcoming, and straight-up unaccommodating to anyone who isn’t family.Always.So, what is it with this girl?

“What gives, Lo?You claim she didn’t pass the assets test, but it sure seems like she checked all the boxes foryou.”I pause, smirking.“Are you abandoning your obsession with the cop’s daughter for this one?”

“Fuck off.”He chuckles.“Not my type.Shit, she’s college-aged.But she feels…I don’t know how to explain it.Familiar?Like I know her, or have known her.That’s the best way to put it.”He shakes his head.“She feels like Tillie to me.Or Lexi.I don’t know what that means.It’s strange.”

Tillie is our cousin, and Lexi’s an in-law.At least that confirms he doesn’t want to fuck this new girl.Although…therewasa time when he wanted to fuck Lexi, so there’s that.

“If you truly think she’s necessary, fine.But anything goes south with her, it’s on you.”I press two fingers to my temple, feeling a migraine coming on.“Right now, my focus is on our field operations.Like the meeting with the Russians later this afternoon.”