Page 48 of Queen of Ruin

He lets out a shaky breath, then nods quickly. “Okay. Okay.”

“Okay?”

“I’m okay.”

“Good.”

“Could you, uh…” Refusing to let me go, he takes his other hand off the wheel and hands me his phone. “Mindy’s address is in there under Cunt. Sorry. Could you order her some food and groceries? I’ve put money in my account so it’ll be good.”

“Yeah, I can do that.”

By the time the order is complete, we’ve driven far from the motel and Diego pulls up in front of a small cafe bathed in warm, yellow light.

“Come on,” he says with a tired smile. “We need to eat.”

19

VALENTINA

“Can I get you anything?” The waitress stands before us with a pleasant smile, tired eyes, and a small pad clutched in her hand while she pulls a pen from the chest pocket of her uniform. “Coffee’s fresh and the grill’s clean, so we can cook you up anythin’ you’re in the mood for.”

“Coffee would be great,” Diego replies with a tired smile. “Could I get some bacon and eggs? And pancakes.” His eyes slide to me. “Do you want pancakes?”

I nod, more distracted by him than the concept of food, even as hunger tightens in my stomach. So much has happened since we ran into each other, or rather since I forced myself into his life, yet not once has he hesitated to take care of me. Even when it came to my fear of the cops and the hospital, he didn’t question it. He just helped.

Mindy carries a lot of pain, but the man I know is a far cry from the man she knew.

He continues his conversation with the waitress and rubs at his chin while he talks. His stubble’s grown darker over the last few days, and shadows cling under his eyes, but the striking green remains as vibrant as ever. Watching him brings me peace. Being with him brings me peace. Our night in that motel sleeping together was the most peaceful sleep I’ve had since waking up in this empty life.

I think… I think I’m falling in love with him.

The revelation comes as he turns and locks eyes with me, then smiles in such a charming, boyish way that my heart flips over itself and warmth rushes to my cheeks.

“How are you feeling?” he asks softly. “If you want something else, I can call her back.”

I didn’t even notice the waitress leave, but she’s across the cafe and deep in conversation with the chef through the back.

“No, I think bacon and pancakes sound good.”

“Do you ever wonder if that’s wrong?” Diego asks, reaching for the salt shaker in the middle of the table and fiddling with it. “What if you were vegan or on some special diet before you lost your memory?”

“I think I’d forgive myself,” I reply with a smile. “Can’t hold blame for things I can’t remember, right?”

“Makes sense.” He sighs suddenly, as if something impossibly heavy has settled across his shoulders. “It’s all kind of fucked, isn’t it?”

“Us?”

He glances up. “Everything.”

I nod slowly, stretching my legs out under the table until our ankles touch. “I feel… really guilty.”

“Why?” Concern floods his eyes as he looks up at me. “What do you have to feel guilty about?”

“Messing up your life, for one. You haven’t been back to your bar. People are after you. We’re running and hiding across the city. I’ve completely destroyed your life and I don’t even know why. I remember nothing because— Oh, no.”

“What’s up?”

“I grabbed the card when we left the motel, but I forgot about the rings.”