Page 182 of Ruin Me With Lies

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“WHERE TO, MR.CASTELLO?” Lars asks when I slide into the back of the Maybach the following afternoon.

“The Zytglogge Clock Tower.”I settle back and pull out my phone.“Google says one thing, but what’s the real drive time from here?”

“Roughly forty minutes.”

Accurate, then.Good.That’ll get me there around 3:00 PM, enough time to scope the place, make sure I’m not walking into a trap.My head’s gone for Raya, yeah.Gone.But that doesn’t mean I trust her.She’s a professional when it comes to deception.

We’re not even two minutes out, still winding through the neighborhood toward the main road, when a nondescript SUV blazes past and cuts us off with a reckless swerve.

Lars slams the brakes.“What the—”

Tires scream behind us as a second SUV swings up diagonally, blocking us in.

Out of reflex, my hand goes to my gun, but I don’t draw it.Rules are different on foreign soil.I knew that coming here alone.Whatever’s about to happen…needs to happen.

Before either of us can react, masked men pounce out.My door’s ripped open, and then it’s six against one, beating the shit out of me.I hold my own for as long as I can, but these men are pros.They strike with precision, targeting every point that’ll break me down fast.

Eventually, I hit the ground, skull cracking against the bumper.

Dazed, but not done, I try to get up, to fight back…

“STAY DOWN!”one of them barks.

My broken ribs agree.

“Pack it up and go back to your dusty desert, Castello!”He drives a kick into my stomach.Blood spurts from my mouth.“You’re not welcome here.”

Feet pound the tarmac.Tires screech and squeal.Then Lars is hovering over me, panicked, asking if I’m okay.

And as much pain as I’m in, as blurry as I feel, I laugh.Coughing and choking on blood as I do.Because now I’mcertainI’m on the right path.

She’shere.

And nothing, not even a thousand shattered bones, is going to stop me from getting her back.I came for what’s mine, and I’m not leaving without her.Even if it kills me.

I haven’t breathed right since she left.And I don’t think I ever will until I see her again.

If I die trying, so be it.

She’s worth it.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Stefano

TORIN GARZA SAUNTERS INTOthe room and takes in the sight of my bruised and battered ass propped up against the headboard.

“Well, shit.Now I knowTHE O’s behind this,” I mutter.

“No idea what you’re on about.”He stops at the dresser and leans back, one leg crossed over the other.“Was down in Monaco and ran into your boy Bratton.He told me you were laid up here after getting your ass kicked.Didn’t believe him.Had to come see for myself.Knew you’d get your ass handed to you one of these days, you arrogant little shit.”

“With relatives like you, who needs enemies?”I say.“Just waiting on my downfall, huh?”

“Dramatic as always.Fucking crybaby.”He crosses his arms.“Lemme guess, you’re here chasing another ‘lead’ on that girl who played you.”

“None of your damn business.”