Page 136 of Ruin
I tilt my head, eyes narrowing. “So who did she cheat with?”
His expression darkens. “You don’t want to know.”
A knock at the door interrupts me before I can press further, immediately followed by keys jangling in the lock.
“What the fuck—Dad?” My voice spikes as my father strides in like he owns the place. “You have a key?”
“Of course I have a key. I own the apartment, Giovanna.” His tone is clipped, and he doesn’t look directly at me. Basically how he’s been my entire life.
Behind him, my mother glides in, her smile stretched so thin it looks painful. It’s immediately clear why when Aurelio enters right behind them.
Antonio and I exchange a sharp look. His tiny shrug confirms he didn’t know Aurelio was coming either.
Aurelio looks at my blue faux fur couch in disdain and chooses instead to wedge himself into a large armchair by the fireplace.
“No hello?” he drawls, chuckling as he lights a cigar.
My father grimaces and takes the other armchair while my mother perches on the edge of a chair at the island counter and gestures for me and Antonio to sit on the couch.
The air thickens, the atmosphere an odd combination of awkward and dangerous. I almost forget to press record on my phone.
When no one speaks, my mother clears her throat, aiming her brittle smile at me. “So why are we here, dear?”
Aurelio pulls a cigar stub from his pocket and lights it, chomping on the end as he breathes the red embers to life. I don’t know what Aurelio knows. I don’t know what he doesn’t. And that makes every breath feel like stepping intoa trap.
“Ah,la ragazzawonders if I know her secrets.” Aurelio’s voice is oily, mocking. “Let me be clear: who you spread your legs for is common knowledge. I know you’re fucking my son.”
The words hit like a slap. My father’s jaw ticks, teeth grinding hard enough that I can almost hear it. He glares at my mother, as if it’s her fault, but my mother’s diplomatic smile does little more than flicker before steeling back in place.
I force my voice steady. “Why do you want me to marry Antonio?”
“I do not trust my sons. I trust Antonio,” Aurelio grunts, shifting in the chair.
I flick a glance at Antonio. His face is blank, unreadable, his hands clasped between his knees, knuckles bone-white.
Aurelio exhales another plume of smoke. “Your father would like to retire, travel with your mother, enjoy his golden years, and I need to protect Luminous & Co. It is not just a world-renowned jewelry shop. It is my largest and most successful money laundering business, an international gateway to the world without prying eyes. I want Antonio in charge when Lorenzo steps down.”
This is obvious bullshit. My parents hate each other. They haven’t taken a vacation together a single time in my life. And my father has always said he loves work and will never quit.
My mother doesn’t so much as blink, but I know her tells. The way her fingers flex against her thigh, the way she aims her gaze at Aurelio like she’s redirecting me to focus on him. I get the message and turn my attention back to Aurelio.
“So put Antonio in his spot. We’re broken up; what he does is none of my business. I have no interest in working at Luminous. I’m with Simone Ashford, Assemblyman Donovan’s attorney, and I’m staying there.”
Aurelio guffaws, a cloud of smoke puffing around him. “You will no longer work for Ms. Ashford. She is the tip of Assemblyman Donovan’s spear—and my son’s—in a negotiation regarding the docks and shipping interests that directly impact my business.”
His smile widens, and I’m reminded of the Cheshire Cat. “I am aware that you do not deal with Tommaso at work; however, I am also aware that he comes inside you every day since New Year’s Eve.”
The air leaves my lungs. Antonio lowers his head, staring at the floor, and my father tips his face to the ceiling like he’s praying for patience.
“Apparently, you did not take my threats seriously,” Aurelio growls, his scar catching the light of his cigar.
Cold washes over me as I lock my eyes on Aurelio. “Where is Tommy?”
“For now, he is fine.” Aurelio chuckles, low and menacing. “If you marry Antonio, he is fine. If you stay away from him, he is fine. As long as he does not cross me, he is fine.”
“Doesn’t cross you?” My voice sharpens.
My father interjects, his tone flat, almost bored. “Aurelio believes his sons are plotting to overthrow him. They’ll need money. Luminous gives them that. If you’re tied to Antonio and the business, Aurelio knows Tommy won’t take it because it will harm you. But if you’re with Tommy, and not connected to the company? They’ll take over in months.”
