Page 34 of Ruined

"You took her," Damiano states. Not a question.

"Yes."

"And killed Ivan's men."

"Yes."

Enzo leans down, his face uncomfortably close to mine. "And you didn't think to mention this little side project to anyone? Just decided to start a war with the Russians on your own?"

My jaw tightens. I won't give him the satisfaction of turning to look at him.

"Enough, Enzo," Damiano says, his voice cutting through the tension. "Back off."

"Ivan's men were waiting at her apartment," I say, keeping my voice level. "They were going to take her."

Damiano leans forward slightly. "And this concerns you because...?"

"She's under my protection."

Enzo barks out a laugh behind me. "Since when? Did I miss a memo?"

I ignore him, keeping my eyes locked with Damiano's. "I couldn't let them take her."

"So you killed three Russians and kidnapped a woman who performed at my daughter's christening." Damiano's voice remains calm but I can see the fury building behind his eyes. "Without saying a word to me."

"There wasn't time."

"Bullshit," Enzo snaps.

Damiano raises a hand, silencing Enzo. "You should have told me, Noah. Immediately after, if not before." He stands,placing both palms flat on his desk. "Do you understand what you've done? We're about to face a war with Ivan."

The weight of his words settles in the room. I knew this would happen but hearing Damiano say it makes it real.

"My family," Damiano continues, his voice dropping lower. "My wife. My newborn daughter. Everyone in this house now needs extra protection because you decided to act without informing me."

I don't flinch, though the accusation cuts deep. "I understand."

"Do you?" Damiano circles the desk, coming to stand directly in front of me. "I don't think you do. Ivan will come for her. And when he can't find her he'll come for us. All of us."

"I'll handle Ivan."

"No." Damiano's voice is sharp. "You won't. Not alone. Not anymore. This isn't just about you and whatever obsession you've developed with this woman."

I clench my jaw at the word ‘obsession’ but stay silent.

"You're going to face consequences for this, Noah." Damiano steps back, his expression hardening. "You've put my family at risk. That's not something I can overlook, even for you."

I meet Damiano's gaze without flinching. Fifteen years of service to the Feretti family, and this is the first time I've seen true disappointment in his eyes.

"You want to impose consequences? Fine. I accept them," I say, keeping my voice steady. "But I won't apologize for keeping her safe from Ivan."

Damiano shakes his head. "This isn't about apologies. It's about loyalty and chain of command." He walks back around his desk, lowering himself into his chair. "You're suspended from operations. Effective immediately."

The words hit me like a punch in the jaw. "What?"

"For two weeks, you're off duty. No meetings, no collections, no enforcement. Nothing."

"You can't be serious." I surge forward, my hands clenching into fists. "We have the Colombian shipment coming in. The expansion south?—"

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