Page 5 of Ruined By Blood
"I said no." The words come out deadly quiet. "Walk away, Harold."
He scrambles back like a kicked dog, mumbling apologies as he disappears into the crowd. Good. One less parasite to deal with.
The casino floor pulses with Saturday night energy—slot machines chiming, cards shuffling, champagne glasses clinking. Wealthy fucks celebrating their excess while I babysit their egos. The air reeks of desperation, and bad decisions.
I move through the crowd, nodding at familiar faces, keeping my expression neutral as associates and wannabes try to catch my attention. A senator's wife bats her eyelashes at me from the roulette table. A tech mogul raises his glass in greeting. A pharmaceutical heiress "accidentally" brushes against my arm.
All of them wanting something. Access. Protection. A piece of the Feretti name.
My phone buzzes—a text from Damiano. All good there?
Peachy, I reply. Enjoying your night off.
Thanks for covering. Owe you one.
He owes me more than one, but that's what family does. We sacrifice so others can breathe easy, even if it means drowning in bullshit conversations and fake smiles.
I'm scanning the crowd when familiar fingers trail down my arm. I don't need to turn around to know who it is.
"Enzo." Victoria Ashford's voice purrs behind me, silk and honey. "You've been avoiding my calls."
I face her slowly, taking in the sight. Platinum blonde hair swept into an elegant updo, green dress, and those green eyes that once looked stunning beneath me. Two months ago, to be exact. After the Marconi wedding reception, when too much champagne and her persistent flirting led to sex.
"Victoria." I keep my tone neutral, professional. "Enjoying the casino?"
She steps closer, invading my personal space with practiced ease. "I was hoping we could talk. Privately." Her fingers trace the lapel of my jacket. "It's been too long."
The woman knows how to work her assets—I'll give her that. Her lips painted the perfect shade of red, and she's positioned herself so anyone watching would assume we're intimate. But all I feel is mild irritation.
"Nothing to talk about." I remove her hand from my jacket, not roughly but firmly. "That night was what it was."
Her smile falters for a split second before returning full force. "Come now, we had such incredible chemistry."
I remember. She was enthusiastic, knew what she wanted, and didn't expect cuddling afterward. A perfectarrangement for one night. But that's all it was—physical release without complications.
"I remember." My voice stays flat. "I also remember you leaving at three a.m. Clean break, no strings. That's how we both wanted it."
"Maybe I've changed my mind." She leans closer, her breath warm against my ear. "Maybe I want to explore what we started."
"I haven't changed mine." I step back, putting distance between us. "Find someone else to explore with, Victoria."
She stares at me for a long moment, probably calculating whether to push harder or retreat. Smart money's on retreat. Victoria might be spoiled, but she's not stupid.
Victoria's smile tightens. "Your loss, Feretti."
She turns on her heel, hips swaying dramatically as she melts back into the casino crowd. I exhale slowly, watching her go. Women like Victoria are beautiful hurricanes—exhilarating to experience but destructive if you let them linger.
The casino suddenly feels too crowded, too loud, the recycled air thick with perfume and desperation. My skin itches with the need to escape. I head for the ground floor balcony, the only place in this place where I can breathe without someone trying to sell me something or fuck their way into my good graces.
The night air hits me like salvation when I push through the glass doors. The balcony overlooks the gardens and fountain that separate the casino from the adjoining hotel. I loosen my tie and inhale deeply, letting the cool air clear my head.
"Hiding from your admirers?" Noah's voice comes from behind me.
I don't turn around. "Don't you have something to kill?"
Noah chuckles, moving to stand beside me at the railing. "Just finished checking the perimeter. Noticed you beating a hasty retreat."
"Victoria Ashford." I crack my knuckles, a habit that irritates Damiano but helps me think. "She's persistent."
