Page 76 of Ruined

"About fucking time," I mutter as Matteo steps in, looking me over with raised eyebrows.

"What happened to your hand? Never mind. I can guess."

I grab my jacket from the back of the couch. "She's in the bedroom. Hasn't come out since she saw the news about Chen."

"And you're going where exactly?" Matteo blocks my path to the door, arms crossed.

"Damiano's first." I check my gun, tucking it into my waistband. "He might have something on Jessica's location by now. After that, I'm going hunting."

"For Ivan?" Matteo shakes his head. "That's suicide, Noah."

"I don't care." I grab my keys from the counter. "Someone has to end this and I'm not waiting around for Ivan to grab more leverage."

Matteo sighs, glancing toward the bedroom. "She's really gotten to you, hasn't she?"

I don't answer. I don't need to.

"Just... talk to her," I say instead. "Make sure she eats something. And Matteo—" I lower my voice. "Don't let her leave. No matter what she says."

"I'll do my best." He runs a hand through his hair. "But if you're not back by morning, I'm calling Damiano."

"Fair enough." I pause at the door. "If anything changes with Jessica or Chen, call me immediately."

"Will do." Matteo settles onto the couch. "Try not to get yourself killed, asshole. I'd hate to have to explain that to your girlfriend."

"She's not my—" I stop myself. What's the point? "Just watch her."

CHAPTER 22

Iflatten myself against the wall, holding my breath as Noah punches in the code to unlock the door. My heart pounds so loudly I'm afraid he'll hear it.

Four-eight-seven-two-six-three.

I commit the numbers to memory, watching his fingers move across the keypad. A small victory in this nightmare. And then he leaves.

Four-eight-seven-two-six-three.

My ticket out of here.

I can hear Matteo moving around in the kitchen, opening and closing cabinets. I need to be patient. Need to wait for the right moment when he's distracted enough for me to make it to the door.

Jessica's face flashes in my mind. Then Michael's. Both missing because of me. Because I was stupid enough to sign that contract with Ivan without understanding what I was getting into. And now Noah is hunting Ivan, which will only make things worse.

I press my palms against my eyes. This is all my fault.

But I can fix it. I know I can. If I can get to Ivan before Noah does something irreversible, I can offer myself in exchange for Jessica and Michael. It's the only way.

Now I just need to wait for Matteo to get comfortable. To drop his guard. To give me just one moment when he's not watching.

Four-eight-seven-two-six-three.

I repeat the numbers in my head like a prayer. My escape plan. My salvation.

And Jessica's too, if I'm lucky.

I take a deep breath, smoothing down my clothes, then step into the living room. Matteo's sprawled on the couch, scrolling through his phone. He looks up when I enter, a knowing smirk spreading across his face.

"Well, well. Sleeping Beauty emerges." His eyes flick over my face, lingering a bit too long. "You look like shit, by the way."

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