Page 77 of Ruined

"Thanks," I say flatly. "Always a pleasure chatting, Matteo."

"Rough night?" He raises an eyebrow. "I mean, between you bawling and Noah punching walls this place sounds like a war zone."

I feel my cheeks flush. "Are you just here to torment me, or do you have an actual purpose?"

"Both." He grins, pocketing his phone. "Noah said to keep you company. Make sure you don't do anything stupid."

"Look," I sigh, walking over to the entertainment center. "I'm not in the mood for your commentary. Why don't you just sit andwatch something? There must be a game on or whatever it is you guys do when you're not kidnapping people."

Matteo laughs, a genuine sound that surprises me. "You've got balls, violin girl. I'll give you that."

I grab the remote and toss it to him. "Here. Find something mindless. I need to not think for a while."

He catches it easily, studying me with unexpected seriousness. "You really care about your sister, huh?"

"She's all I have," I say quietly, sinking into the armchair across from him. "And Michael is... he's just a friend. A good one. They don't deserve to be caught up in this."

Matteo nods slowly, then turns to the TV. "Fine. One mindless distraction coming up."

He flips through channels until landing on some action movie with explosions and car chases. Perfect. Loud enough to cover my thoughts. Distracting enough to keep him occupied.

I watch Matteo from the corner of my eye as the movie plays. He seems completely absorbed in the mindless action flick, occasionally chuckling at explosions. I've been waiting for over an hour for him to use the bathroom or step away, but he hasn't budged.

My patience is wearing thin. Every minute I waste here is another minute Jessica and Michael spend with Ivan. I need to act now.

I stand abruptly. "I'm going to sort through some of the clothes Noah bought me."

Matteo barely glances up. "Whatever. Just stay where I can see you."

I walk to the bedroom door, then pause. An idea forms in my mind—simple but possibly effective. I step inside the room and start making frustrated noises, yanking at the dresser drawer.

"Shit," I mutter loudly. Then louder: "Hey, Matteo?"

"What?" he calls from the couch.

"This drawer is completely stuck. Can you help me for a second?" I make more struggling sounds, rattling the drawer harder.

I hear him sigh dramatically. "Jesus Christ, are you serious right now?"

"Please? It has my..." I pause for effect, "underwear in it."

That gets him moving. I hear the couch leather flex as he stands.

"Fine," he grumbles, walking toward the bedroom. "But make it quick. I'm missing the good part."

The moment Matteo steps into the bedroom, I slip past him through the doorway. Before he can react I slam the door shut and twist the lock.

"What the—" His voice turns from confusion to rage in an instant. "Evelyn! Open this fucking door right now!"

"I'm sorry," I say, backing away as he pounds against the wood. "I have to do this."

"You are stupid as hell!" He slams his body against the door, making it shudder. "Noah's going to kill you! And then he's going to kill me!"

I rush to the front door, my fingers trembling as I punch in the code.

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

The lock clicks open.

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