Page 47 of Bound in Ruin

Wait. Is he jealous?

I glance at him out of the corner of my eye as the car glides through the dark city streets. His jaw is locked, his shoulders are broad and rigid, and his gaze is fixed dead ahead like he’s ready to kill the next thing that moves.

The absolute rage in the way he hauled that man off the floor... the sheer intensity of his posture right now.

He is jealous!

I almost laugh out loud. The terrifying, ruthless Dominic Kane, losing his mind over a random drunk holding my wrist for two seconds. He’s so cute when he tries to pretend he’s completely unbothered.

"Were you jealous?" I ask softly, leaning back against the leather seat and tilting my head to study his tight profile.

Dominic doesn't even turn his head. His voice comes out flat, cold, and entirely unconvincing. "I don't get jealous, Rosalia. I enforce boundaries."

I purse my lips tightly together, fighting to swallow the amusement bubbling up in my chest to hide another laugh.

Sure you don't, Dominic.

When the car pulls up to the estate, he steps out, barely waiting for me before he marches up the front steps like a man on a mission. He storms right into the grand foyer, his heavy footsteps echoing up the curving staircase as he heads straight for our suite without looking back.

Helena is standing near the bottom of the stairs, adjusting a vase of fresh lilies. She watches his retreating, furious back, then glances over at me with an amused, knowing twinkle in her eye.

"Rough evening?" she asks softly.

"You could say that," I say, smothering a grin. Then I remember my little guest tucked away upstairs. "Actually, Helena... I have a dog up there. Is there anything we can feed him?"

Helena breaks into a warm laugh. "Keane already warned me about your new housemate. Don't worry, I'll have the kitchen staff prepare a proper meal for him."

"Thank you. I'll go bring him down so he can stretch his legs."

I head up the stairs and push open the bedroom door. Dominic is already in the middle of the room, tearing off his shirt with aggressive, irritated yanks, his back turned to me. His tight muscles flex under the low light, radiating sheer annoyance.

And right at his feet, completely unbothered by the dark mood of the room, Yapper is yapping furiously at his boots.

I almost laugh again. The sight of a dangerous mob boss being harassed by a tiny, barking puppy is almost too much to handle.

Before Dominic can scowl at either of us, I scoop Yapper up into my arms and head back downstairs.

Helena takes one look at the little bundle of fluff and is instantly, insanely smitten. She cradles him like royalty, cooing over his little paws and scruffy ears.

"I have to say, I'm completely surprised Dominic allowed this," Helena murmurs with a smile, scratching Yapper right behind his ears. "He's not usually one for... unexpected additions."

"He has his moments," I say with a small smile, kissing the top of Yapper's head before handing him off for dinner.

“Is there a vet around here?” I ask. “I’d like to take Yapper in just to make sure he’s healthy.”

“I’ll take care of that.”

“Thank you, Helena.”

I head back upstairs, feeling lighter than I have all night. When I walk into the bedroom, Dominic is standing by the mini-bar, pouring a generous splash of crystal-clear vodka into a heavy tumbler. The tension in his back could snap steel.

I choose to completely ignore him.

Without saying a word, I walk past his dark glare, grab my pajamas from the drawer, and head straight into the bathroom, closing the door behind me with a quiet click.

When I step out of the bathroom, freshly dressed in my pajamas with a towel drying my hair, Dominic hasn't moved an inch.

He stands in the center of the bedroom, his bare chest broad and shadowed under the dim lamps. His arms are tightly folded across his chest, and his eyes tracking my every step like a predator waiting in the dark.