Page 76 of Beautiful Ruins
She ran toward us.
Matteo moved to intercept her, but I held up a hand without looking.
She grabbed my arm.
“Stop.”
“You got hurt because of him,” I reminded her, not taking my eyes off him.
“I know.”
The words stunned me.
She stepped in front of me, placing her body between mine and his.
“Let him go.”
“He doesn’t get to breathe the same air as you.”
Her hand came to my face.
“Raze.Let him go.”
There was no fear in her eyes.Only certainty.
Slowly, reluctantly, I released him.
Nathan collapsed to his knees, coughing violently.
Izzy looked down at him.
“I was nothing but a roof and a wallet to you.You used me.You lied to me.And now you’re here…for what?”
He wiped blood from his mouth.“Iz, I was desperate?—”
“Don’t you dare say my name.”
Her voice was steel.
“You don’t get to say my name anymore.”
He tried to stand.Matteo shoved him back down.
“I don’t want your apologies,” she hissed.“I don’t want your desperation.”
She glanced back at me briefly before she faced Nathan again.
“You will leave.You will not come near me.You will not say my name again.If you do?—”
She didn’t finish the sentence.The words settled into my bones.
He looked at me.And he understood.
I crouched down so we were eye level.
“If you ever come within a hundred meters of her again,” I warned him, “the Russians will be the least of your concerns.”
He swallowed.
