Page 74 of Beautiful Ruins
But she must have seen something in my face, because she persisted.
“Raze?”
I dragged on a pair of jeans and a shirt, not bothering with the buttons.My feet slid into my trainers without socks, careless and fast.The air in the room was sharper now, charged, like something unwelcome had slipped in and was waiting to be dealt with.
“I’ll be right back.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly.“It’s late.Where are you going?”
I met her gaze.The one thing I didn’t want to do is start a life with her based on lies.
“Nathan Azzopardi’s at the gate.”
The color drained from her face.
I didn’t wait for more.
By the time I stepped into the foyer, the house was already humming.Security tightening.Cameras focused.Men positioned.
Matteo met me near the front door, his eyes on the security monitor.I followed his gaze.
Nathan Azzopardi was thinner than I expected.Jittery, his eyes darting in every direction.But there was arrogance in the set of his shoulders.
I stared at the screen.
“You want him inside?”Matteo questioned.
“No,” I replied calmly.“I’ll go to him.”
I stepped out of the house and walked the short distance to the gate.It slid open with a slow mechanical growl as I approached.
Nathan didn’t look relieved.He looked expectant.
I walked toward him without rush, gravel crunching under my shoes.The night air was cool against my skin.
He smiled when he saw me.Actually smiled.
“You Raze Cavalho?”he demanded.
“I am.”
He stuck out his hand.I looked at it.Then at him.
He dropped it awkwardly.
“Look,” he glanced toward the house.“I just need to talk to Izzy.She and I?—”
“She and you,” I repeated.
He straightened.“Yeah.She’s my girlfriend.”
The word detonated in my chest.I took one step closer.
“She was,” I amended quickly, temper rising.“Note the use of past tense.”
“You know how it is.We’ve got history.She and I?—”
“Careful.I want you to understand that you are responsible for every word that comes out of your fucking mouth.”
