Page 75 of Ruins
I look up—and meet a pair of brooding, familiar eyes.
A slow, mischievous smile spreads across his face, dark hair cropped low, tattoos peeking from beneath the crisp edges of his all-black suit. There’s an edge to him, something sharp and unreadable.
But his eyes—light gray, where Santo’s are dark—give him away.
Santo’s brother.The Don.
I rise to my feet, smoothing my expression into something polite.
And smile. “Don Amato,” I say extending my hand.
He chuckles, clasping my hand in his and bringing it to his lips, pressing a light kiss to my knuckles.
“You can just call me Angelo,” he says smoothly.
But he doesn’t let go. Instead, he guides me around the table until I’m standing at his side, still holding my hand.
“You are a beauty.”
“Thank you,” I mutter, trying to pull away.
He squeezes gently before finally releasing me.
“I wanted to welcome you to the family, Piccola,” he says, his gaze trailing down my body, slow, assessing.
“Piccola?”
“Tiny,” he smirks, licking his lips. “You are rather small—even with those heels.”
Heat prickles across my skin.
I blush, ashamed. “I can’t really help my height,” I say, a little defensively.
Angelo moves in closer, lowering himself until his breath grazes my ear. “I never said it was a bad thing.”
A shiver runs down my spine. His voice, his proximity, the implication in his tone—it’s enough to make my stomach twist with unease.
He straightens, gaze never leaving mine.
“Now, let’s find my brother,” he murmurs, brushing his knuckles across my cheek in a slow, deliberate caress.
I tense.
Before I can process the moment further, a loud commotion draws our attention.
We both turn—Santo.
He’s striding toward us, his face set in a deep, unrelenting frown.
“Angelo,” he growls, his voice dangerously cool.
Angelo grins, slow and taunting. “There he is.”
He throws his hands up in mock surrender. “Relax, fratello,” he says smoothly. “I was just admiring your wife.”
Santo’s gaze flickers to me, then back to Angelo.
In one swift motion, he’s at my side, his arm locking around my waist, pulling me against him.
