Page 66 of Ruined By Blood
Zoe must notice my gaze because her expression softens. She moves closer, sitting on the bed near me but not touching. Giving me space while still bridging the gap between us.
"The first thing I did when I truly got away from my situation was buy clothes that were actually mine," she says quietly. "Things I chose. It seems small, but it matters."
I swallow hard, surprised by the unexpected lump in my throat. "Your situation?"
She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "Different from yours, but let's just say I understand what it means to be controlled." Her hand returns to her belly. "To have your life treated like it belongs to someone else."
"I'll get you some of my things to wear for now," Zoe says, standing carefully. "We're not exactly the same size, but they'll do until we order you something that's just yours."
"Thank you," I whisper, the words feeling inadequate.
The heavy silence settles between us after Zoe leaves. Lucrezia's eyes, dark and watchful like her brother's, flicker to my face and away again.
"How are you really doing?" she asks finally, her voice gentle.
I'm searching for words. "I don't know," I admit. "Numb, maybe? It doesn't feel real yet."
Lucrezia nods, understanding in her eyes. "I get that. When bad things happen, sometimes your brain needs time to catch up."
I remember what Enzo said about her being hurt three months ago, though he never explained how.
"If you ever want to talk about anything," she continues, "I'm here. No pressure. Just sometimes it helps to speak to someone who might understand a little."
I look down at my hands again, seeing the faint marks on my wrists where I'd been grabbed. "Thank you," I say, meaning it. "But I think I need to talk to Enzo first."
She watches me carefully. "My brother can be a lot. He's overprotective, stubborn, thinks he knows what's best for everyone."
"I noticed," I say, the words coming out drier than intended.
A small smile touches her lips. "But underneath all that he's a good man. The best I know, actually."
"He seems intense."
Lucrezia laughs, the sound bright in the quiet room. "That's putting it mildly. You know he once drove six hours to pick me up from college when a date stood me up? Showed up at my dorm with ice cream and a baseball bat."
Despite everything, I feel my lips twitch. "The baseball bat was for...?"
"Accessorizing, obviously," she says with mock seriousness. "Though I think my date's kneecaps were in serious danger if Enzo had found him."
The image is so absurd and yet so fitting with what I know of Enzo, that I almost smile.
"He makes this face when he's trying to be intimidating," she continues, scrunching her features into an exaggerated scowl. "Like he's constipated but trying to look dangerous."
A small laugh escapes me before I can stop it, surprising us both.
"There it is," Lucrezia says, looking pleased.
I look down, thinking about how he'd protected me, how he'd bled to keep me safe. "He seems to care a lot about you."
"He does," she agrees, her voice softening. "About all of us. Family means everything to him."
I glance toward the door, thinking about Damiano's stern face when they brought me in. Unlike Enzo's concern, his expression had been guarded, suspicious.
"Your brother—Damiano—he doesn't really want me here, does he?" I ask, voicing the thought that's been nagging at me.
Lucrezia sighs, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "Damiano's complicated. He's the head of the family, so he has to think about everyone's safety first."
"So I'm a liability," I murmur, staring down at my hands.
