Page 35 of Bound in Ruin

“You really like it?” he asks again, as if he needs to hear it one more time just to be sure.

“Yes,” I say softly, meeting his dark, intense gaze head-on.

He clears his throat, shifting his weight as a familiar guard begins to creep back up. “You’re not surprised a murderer has such an ordinary hobby?”

I frown, tilting my head. “What?”

Dominic rolls his eyes, a bitter, defensive edge touching his tone. “Last night. When you saw me with that rat... you were terrified. Is that why you shut down and wouldn't look at me.”

A sudden, breathless laugh escapes my lips before I can stop it. “You idiot. That’s not why at all.”

He frowns, completely thrown off, his brows drawing together in utter confusion.

“I closed off because you were unbelievably rude to me,” I tell him, setting the record straight. “I didn’t like the way you barked at me, especially with your men standing right there. It pissed me off.”

Dominic just blinks at me, completely speechless, processing the fact that I wasn't repulsed by his violence—just offended by his terrible manners.

I fold my arms, raising a brow. “Well? What are you waiting for? Apologize right now.”

The terrifying mob boss doesn't hesitate for a single second. “I’m sorry,” he says instantly, the words falling out of his mouth with pure, unscripted sincerity.

I give him a satisfied nod. “Good.”

Then, breaking into a bright, wicked grin, I step closer to him. “Now that we’ve cleared that up... I have an announcement to make.”

"What announcement?" he asks, his dark eyes narrowing with immediate suspicion.

"I found a stray dog outside in the garden," I say, beaming. "He was injured, so I cleaned him up, wrapped him in your shorts, and put him in our bed.”

“My what?” He growls.

I smother a laugh. “Your shorts. We’re keeping him.”

"No." The word leaves his mouth faster than a bullet. "Absolutely not. Get it out."

"Dominic, no! He's hurt and terrified, and he has nowhere else to go⁠—"

"I don't care," he cuts in, folding his arms tightly across his chest, the uncompromising boss returning in full force. "I hate pets. They're loud, they destroy property, and they stink. We are not keeping a stray dog in this house, Rosalia."

"I'll be the one taking care of him!" I fire back, stepping right into his personal space, refusing to back down. "You won't have to pick up a single thing or feed him once. I will handle everything."

Dominic tilts his head, a dark, dangerous smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Oh, really? Have you ever cared for a pet before in your life?"

I pause, my tongue catching in my throat for a fraction of a second.

He catches the hesitation instantly. "That's what I thought," he scoffed, crossing his arms tighter. "You have no idea what you're doing. The dog is going to a shelter or outside the gates. End of discussion."

"It is not the end of the discussion!" My voice rises, my chest heaving with indignation. "I saved him, Dominic! He was bleeding in the bushes! He trusts me, and I am not letting your cold, heartless attitude throw him out into the street!"

"It's a stray, Rosalia!"

"He's mine!" I snap, glaring at him with every ounce of stubbornness in my body.

He glares right back, a battle of wills locking us in silence for three agonizing seconds. When I realize he isn't budging, the frustration boils over.

"Fine," I say quietly, dropping my arms. "Be a heartless monster. See if I care."

I turn on my heel, taking a step toward the garage exit.