Page 5 of Ruin Me With Lies
Most aren’t just running from abusive exes, but far, far worse.And in Vegas, once you belong to the Castellos, you’re untouchable.No one lays a hand on their property.
In return, these women become loyal employees with free lodging and a monthly stipend, as long as they follow the rules.
Iwasn’t recruited.I approached Vivienne myself, claiming a friend sent me.So it makes sense that she’s suspicious of me.
Irritated, I plop down on the limestone steps and fish out my hidden burner phone from inside my boot.
Time to consider Plan B.
~
FOUR DAYS LATER,in the dead of the night, Vivienne knocks on my door.
They’re back.
With swift movements, I get appropriately dressed, grab my backpack, and head out.
Luca Fontana stands by the passenger door of his Bronco, holding it open.Even in the moonlit shadows, his distrust is clear.
“Found yourselves in need of a smart-ass bitch?”I ask.
His jaw tightens.“Get inbefore I change my mind.”
I climb in, noting the two men in front.
Luca folds in beside me, slamming the door.
We drive in silence, the weight of his stare drilling into the side of my face.
Eventually, he asks me in Italian, “What five languages do you speak?”
Testing me.
In the same tongue, I reply, “English, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and French.”
German and Mandarin, too, but I won’t make the mistake of overselling myself again.
In clumsy Spanish, he asks, “How old are you?”
Vivienne already handed over every detail from those long, invasive forms she made us fill out.
“Twenty-three.”
He snuffs.“Must’ve had a busy childhood to be so…multifaceted.”
“Busy?No.Bored and lonely?Yes.Lots of free time to learn new things.”
I wait for him to ask why I’m here.He doesn’t.Doesn’t care enough.Just carrying out orders, putting in the minimum effort to make sure I’m not a mistake.
He rolls down his window, lights up a cigarette.
“What’s your name?”I ask.
He ignores me.
Biting back a smile, I crack my own window and turn my face to the fresh air.
I don’t need to assess him further, I have what I need: A man who likes control.A man who, for whatever reason, doesn’t have it right now, and that has him wound tight.
