Page 131 of Beautiful Ruins
Tone shook her head.“You two are ridiculous.”
Maybe.But for the first time, ridiculous didn’t feel like weakness.It felt like freedom.
I watched Izzy laugh at something Tone said next, sunlight catching in her hair.
I’d killed for her.I’d destroyed men for her.But this — this tranquil morning — felt like the real victory.
I had slayed my demons.She had faced hers.And neither of us had walked away.
There was no war left to fight.No revenge left to take.Just the rest of our lives.
“Eat.”I stood and reached for Izzy’s plate when she slowed.“We’ve got a long drive.”
Tone stretched lazily.“Finally.I was starting to think this box was permanent.”
37
Raze
The gates rolled shut behind us, and for a brief moment I let my shoulders drop, letting the silence settle in—Tone in the back seat humming under her breath, Izzy beside me with her hand resting lightly on my thigh.
The house came into view.
And so did the cars.
Three of them, parked in a straight line in front of my house.Black.Clean.Expensive.Worrisome.
I sure as hell knew it wasn’t the welcoming committee.
Atlas Cavalho’s car.
Gianni Cavalho’s car.
Marcello Cavalho’s car.
Tone leaned forward between the seats.“Why does it look like a funeral out there?”
“What now?”I growled.
Izzy’s fingers tightened on my thigh.She didn’t ask questions.She just watched the driveway, eyes narrowing slightly, instincts sharpening.She was learning my world fast—learning what calm looked like, and learning what disruption looked like.Because they all affected my mood.
This was a disruption.
I slowed the car, cut the engine, and sat for a beat.Through the windshield, Atlas stood beside his vehicle, posture still, face unreadable.Gianni was half-leaning against his door.Marcello looked animated as he tried to relay something to a bored Gianni.
Ominous wasn’t a vibe—it was a whole fucking energy.And it was currently parked in my driveway.
“Go inside.”I kept my voice even.“Both of you.”
Tone scoffed.“Since when do you keep secrets from family?”
“Inside,” I repeated.
Izzy opened her door, but she paused.“Raze.”
I looked at her.
She searched my face, then nodded once, and slid out.
