Page 136 of Ruined

She freezes, her body tensing in anticipation. I see goosebumps rising on her skin, though the room is warm.

I step closer to the bed, close enough that she can feel my presence but not quite touching her. I lean down, my lips almost grazing her ear.

"I'm going to fuck you until you forget your own name," I say, my voice rough with promise. "And then I'm going to do it again."

CHAPTER 40

EPILOGUE ONE

Iadjust my sunglasses as Lucrezia and I step into Arthouse Designs, the bell above the door chiming softly. The furniture showroom stretches before us—all clean lines, warm woods, and muted colors. My mind's already racing with possibilities for the bookstore café I'm planning to open next month.

"What about something like this for the reading nooks?" Lucrezia points to a deep leather armchair tucked beside a minimalist bookshelf.

I run my hand along the smooth leather. "I like it. Comfortable but not too casual."

"The exposed brick in that space you leased will look amazing with these warmer tones," she says, pulling out her phone to snap photos of a coffee table made from reclaimed wood.

I nod, picturing the space—the corner location with tall windows and history in its walls. A place where I can serve good coffee, sell books I love, and maybe host small acoustic performances in the evenings. Something that belongs to me alone.

"So," Lucrezia says casually as we move toward a display of industrial lighting fixtures, "did Noah tell you what Alessio is tasked with tomorrow?"

I shake my head. "I never ask much about... work stuff. What's going to happen?"

Lucrezia gives me a sideways glance, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief. "Alessio is going to ruin a wedding by kidnapping the bride."

"What?" I stop short, nearly knocking over a small end table.

"Relax," she laughs. "It's not what you think. This is just... motivation for payment."

I stare at her, trying to process this information. Even after months with Noah, certain aspects of his world still shock me.

"I would make Alessio's life a living hell if he went kidnapping me on my wedding day," I say finally, imagining the scene. "Damiano would have to find someone else to be his right hand because Alessio wouldn't have hands anymore."

Lucrezia bursts out laughing, drawing curious glances from a nearby salesperson.

"I would help you," she agrees, linking her arm through mine as we continue walking. "Though I'd pay good money to see the look on some priest's face when Alessio comes bursting through the church doors."

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CHAPTER 41

EPILOGUE TWO

Icheck my watch again. Five minutes until the Lombardi princess is supposed to appear. The bridesmaids have already filed out in their matching champagne-colored dresses, giggling and adjusting each other's hair as they climbed into the first car. Now I wait beside the second vehicle, a sleek black Mercedes with darkened windows. Perfect for what comes next.

The wedding planner—some nervous woman with a clipboard and an earpiece—climbs into the front passenger seat, muttering about schedules and timing. She doesn't even glance at me. I'm just another security goon to her, another black suit blending into the background.

Little does she know.

Damiano's orders from two days ago still ring in my ears. "The Lombardis have betrayed us, Alessio. We have proof. And this wedding—this fucking alliance with the Fortins—will destroy everything my father built."

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