Page 109 of Ruthless God

Things wereon their way to being how they had been before Marco showed up at the house.

Massimo still wasn’t sure how he had gotten past the guard and the gate leading into the community. It seemed to be something he was focused on.

I wasn’t as focused. I just wanted this to be over so I could forget it ever happened.

I sat by the pool, looking through a list of resumes Luigi had dropped off. Massimo’s people had thoroughly vetted them, so all I had to do was pick a few to interview and decide.

We might even finally have a chef.

I was getting tired of takeout meals, so I made a vow to learn to cook before the year was over. Hopefully, by then, I could make something for Massimo to enjoy. Just thinking about it filled me with contentment.

I was still lost in the daydream when my phone rang, the shrill sound loud in the small bubble I’d found myself in. I grabbed it and looked at the phone.

Unknown number.

I debated whether to pick up when the call ended. I let out a small sigh of relief, which was short-lived, when my phone rang again with the same unknown number.

I answered it, bringing the phone up to my ear. “Hello?”

There was nothing but silence for a beat or two. And then, “Luna?”

I sat up at the sound of Lina’s voice. She sounded off. She didn’t sound like herself. “Lina?”

“I’m in Las Vegas. Can you come see me?”

Luigi droveme to a small bar Lina said she was at. Luigi was the only one I could think of to drive me to see her. I hadn’t wantedto call Matteo or any of Massimo’s brothers. Not until I knew for sure why Lina was here.

Which could be a bad idea on my part, considering Massimo had said Lina was married to the Bratva. This could be a trap, but a part of me didn’t think so.

Luigi came to a stop.

I was about to get out of the car when he stopped me. “I have already alerted Mr. De Luca about this, ma’am.”

I paused. “You have?”

He nodded. “This isn’t something you want to keep from him. We have men standing guard in every corner of the place, and if they sense something is wrong, we are instructed to grab you and get out of there. I will be right here should you need me. Just call out.”

“Okay,” I said quietly. I should have known better than to think I would be able to hide this from Massimo. I got out of the car and looked around for my sister. It didn’t take me long. She was sitting on a small bench just outside the bar, her head downcast. I didn’t think I had ever seen her look so… beaten down.

I walked over to her cautiously. “Lina?”

She looked up.

I couldn’t help the small gasp that escaped.

She smiled, the action pulling on her features and making the black eye she was currently sporting more obvious. “Hey, sis. Thanks for coming.”

“What happened? Are you okay?”

“What happened? Fucking Boris Novikov happened.”

I frowned. “Your husband?”

She laughed, the sound bitter. “Who else? I ran away from home.”

She grabbed my hands suddenly, startling me. From the corner of my eye, I could see a huge man making his way over to us, a menacing look on his face.

I shook my head at him and pulled my hands away.

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