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386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2025
“Hungry?”
“I tried to kill you.”
I can’t help the grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. “Tried being the operative word.”
She groans. “You’re impossible.”
“And failed. Again. I wonder why. But I don’t think you’re ready to accept the truth, so let’s move past your latest failed attempt.”
“What is wrong with you?” she asks, a mix of worry and confusion laced in her tone.
“Hmm, wouldn’t it be stupid to trust the woman who wants me dead with all my secrets?”
“I’d keep them safe.” Her voice softens, and she must realize that because she hangs up.
“I am not a backstabber, Luciana. I invited you for dinner, not to ambush you.”
“You could try.”
“You don’t have to be strong with me. I wear masks too.”
Back at the table, I pull out the chair for her. As she takes her seat, I crouch in front of her.
“What are you doing?” she asks in a high-pitched tone, looking around. “People are watching. What are they going to say?”
“That this is how a man treats his woman.”
“You’re not just any man. Your repu—”
I don’t let her finish as I pin her down with a hard stare. “Luciana, I treat my woman as the queen she is. If anyone has a problem with that, let them comment. Only one will make that mistake. I assure you.”
After dessert arrives, she’s about to bring the fork filled with a chocolate raspberry mousse to her mouth when I say, “I’ve been hard since we left your hotel suite.”
If she’s something, then mine. But his words hit the intended mark.
Revenge is all I can think of. It coats my insides, dripping from every fiber of my being. My heart wants its pound of flesh. We let her in, only for her to massacre it.
I don’t aim fatally, but it has to look like Imean it. Then I speed away, driving to my hiding place and waiting.
I get confirmation that Cato survived, and I breathe a sigh of relief.