Page 47 of Ruined By Blood
"I don't know yet, but I'll figure it out." He taps his fingers against the coffee table, his expression shifting to something more calculating. "Let's play something you can't possibly rig in your favor."
I raise an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"Truth or Dare." His voice drops lower, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine. "Simple rules. I ask, you choose—truth or dare. Then we switch."
The lighthearted atmosphere suddenly feels heavier. Card games are safe, impersonal. But Truth or Dare?
"I don't know..." I hesitate, twisting the sleeve of my borrowed shirt between my fingers.
"Afraid you'll lose this one?" There's a challenge in hiseyes, but also something else—a careful watchfulness, like he's measuring my reaction.
"I've never played," I admit.
"Perfect." He leans back, crossing his arms. "Then we start on equal footing."
I should say no. This is exactly the kind of game that could reveal too much, could strip away my remaining defenses. But after the heaviness of this morning—after sharing part of my broken past—there's something appealing about playing at normal, even if it's just pretending.
"Fine," I say, pulling my legs under me on the couch. "But you go first."
Enzo smiles—a real one, not the dangerous smirk I've seen him use at the casino. "Truth or dare, Sienna?"
My name in his mouth still feels strange, in a way I don't fully understand.
"Truth," I say automatically. Safer to control my words than my actions.
His eyes study me for a moment. "What's your favorite color?"
I blink, surprised by the simplicity. "That's it? That's your question?"
"We'll start easy," he says with a shrug. "Build some trust."
I consider lying out of habit, but there seems no point. "Blue. Dark blue, like the ocean at night."
Something flickers in his expression. "I knew red wasn't your color."
"My turn," I say quickly. "Truth or dare?"
"Truth."
I search for something harmless. "How many languages do you speak?"
"Four fluently—Italian, English, Spanish, and Russian. Some German and French, but not enough to be impressive." He tilts his head. "Your turn. Truth or dare?"
I hesitate longer this time. "Truth."
"Do you actually know how to play poker, or was that a lie earlier?"
I shake my head. "My mother tried to teach me once, but we never finished the lesson."
"Your turn," he says.
"Truth or dare?"
"Dare." His lips curve into that dangerous smile again.
I hadn't expected that, and I fumble for a moment. "I dare you to..." I look around the room for inspiration. "Stand on your hands for thirty seconds."
Enzo laughs, the sound rich and unexpected. "Really? That's your dare?"
