Page 33 of The Art of Ruin

“I did.”

“Show me.”

“Before breakfast?”

“Yes.”

Adriano turns then, his gaze landing on me with that same measured precision as yesterday, though there’s something slightly different in it this morning. Less assessing. More… aware.

“Good morning,” he says.

“Good morning.”

There’s a brief pause, like we’re both deciding how this interaction works now that it’s official. I can feel heat moving over my cheeks at his gaze and snap my attention away.

No, no, no.

I do not find him attractive. That’s a lie, but regardless, I cannot and will not act on it or encourage it. Men are the enemy; they cannot be trusted. Except maybe Nico, and perhaps Rossi. He seems like a good guy, too.

“You’re early,” he adds.

“I start at seven.”

“It’s six forty-five.”

“I prefer a buffer. Better to be early than late.”

His gaze lingers for half a second longer than necessary, then he nods once, like he’s filing that away somewhere.

“Noted.”

Letty makes an impatient sound. “Dragon.”

I glance at Adriano, who says nothing, but something in the set of his shoulders suggests he’s curious to see how I handle it.

So I turn back to Letty and lower my voice just enough to make it conspiratorial. “You want a dragon before breakfast?”

“Yes.”

“That feels dangerous.”

“I like dangerous.” Her giggle is infectious, but it’s the soft snort from Adriano that makes me smile.

“I can see that.”

I crouch slightly, leaning in just enough to meet her at eye level without disrupting the space entirely.

When I speak again, my voice drops, roughens just enough to make her eyes widen. “You should be careful what you ask for,” I growl softly. “Dragons don’t always listen.”

Letty gasps, delighted, nearly knocking her bowl over in the process.

Adriano catches it without looking.

Again.

“That’s a good one,” she whispers.

“I’ve been practicing.”