Page 61 of Queen of Ruin

“There was never supposed to be a chase,” Ruslan admits. “The bounty hunters were another wrench in the works.”

It’s a lot to take in.

More than I can process.

All these people, following police scanners, tracking cards and phones, having no worry or care for the law… it’s a lot.

“If…” I tighten my hand in Diego’s once more. “If you don’t mind, would it be alright if we were excused? This is a lot and I’m feeling… I don’t really know how to explain it.”

There’s a beat of silence where no one speaks until Ivy does. “Of course! Do you remember the way back to the room you woke up in? That’s your room.”

“I do.” Standing, I tug Diego with me and he doesn’t hesitate, then we leave the table with the food untouched.

Together, we walk back to my room in a daze and Diego doesn’t speak until we’re back inside and the door is closed.

“That man, Bradley? He was interrogating me like I had something to do with what happened to you, acting like I was some kind of criminal.” He shakes his head and paces toward the dresser, then turns. “What the hell is this place? Who are these people?”

I don’t answer. I walk very slowly to the bed and ease myself down.

“They speak like they know everything and refuse to let on. I don’t understand it. Are we prisoners? Are we under some weird house arrest? And the way they talked about going through my apartment, my bar, my life… what am I supposed to do knowing they violated⁠—”

He cuts himself off and then suddenly, he’s on his knees before me, taking my hands in his.

“I’m okay,” I murmur.

“Are you?” Concern floods his gorgeous eyes.

“Yeah…”

“I don’t trust these people. Bradley, when he pulled me from the car, he said I was a hard man to track. That’s exactly what the cop said back in the bar. Do you think they’re working together?”

My eyes drift around the room, taking in every detail of the closet, dresser, and bedside table from before. The longer I’m here, the more familiar it seems. Even Ivy’s explanation of how everything happened has an air of familiarity. It’s as if I knew what they were doing because I would do the same thing.

“I don’t think they are,” I admit. “I don’t know anything, but…”

“Do you want me to break us out of here? I think I could do it. I only need one gun and that almost bald guy, he looks the easiest to take out.”

A small smile pulls at my lips and I lock eyes with him, then lift one hand to caress his warm cheek. “No, Diego. You don’t need to do any of that.”

“Why?” Concern melts into confusion as he gazes up at me.

“Because… because I think they’re telling the truth. I feel at home here. Somehow. It’s… nice. I think this really is where I’m from.”

Diego’s eyes widen, then he sighs somewhat as if defeated by my answer. “If that’s true, then who the hell are these guys, and what the hell happened to you?”

24

DIEGO

“Are you mad?” Valentina gazes up at me with those large, sun-kissed eyes of hers, flooded with far too many emotions to decipher in one night.

“No, Val… I’m not mad. I’m…” Ending my pacing, I move to the bed and sit next to her. “I’m concerned. We were snatched off the street and dumped here, wherever here is. And sure, everything looks like you really did live here and it’s a nice story about how they were looking for you, but I don’t know if I buy that they couldn’t find you for that long. They tracked us all over the city but before that, they had no idea where we were?”

My lips press together.

“You’re cynical,” she replies softly while sliding her hand into mine. “They cared for me.”

“And accused me.”