Page 39 of While You Sleep

“That apartment isn’t your home anymore, Sophia, this is.” He pulled off his jacket and hung it up. “I’m ordering dinner. Anything in particular you want?”

I shook my head.

He nodded, his gaze moving over me. “I got you a dress.”

That stopped me in my tracks. “Why?”

“Your father’s telling anyone who’ll listen that you’re my prisoner, that I’m abusing you. I wouldn’t usually give a fuck what people thought of me, but Alto’s big on family. If he thinks I’m hurting you, it could jeopardize our deal.”

“You made a deal with Alto Leone?”

“Aye, but it’s tentative.”

“So my family’s safe?”

“It’s complicated. Things are still volatile. There are other families, allies, business partners, enemies watching us right now. The change of hands, with me taking over, has some people uneasy. We need to show everyone the alliance between our families is strong, that we’re a united front, and an attack on one is an attack on both. Alto’s invited us to one of his clubs tonight. He wants to see us together for himself.”

“Will Paolo be there?”

“After what he did? No fucking way. Alto knows better. It’ll be low-key. We’ll go, you’ll show them you’re happy, we’ll leave.”

I stared back at him. He couldn’t be serious. “But I’m not happy.”

“Then you’ll pretend,” he said without missing a beat and walked out.

Chapter Thirteen

Cillian

I stared out at the ocean and sipped my drink.

We’d eaten not long ago. I’d ordered from the Thai place in the city because I knew Sophia liked their khao soi. She used to get it a lot when she was living on her own. I’d seen the receipts in her apartment on the table by her door.

When Sophia was enjoying food, she made these appreciative noises, similar to the ones she made when I ate her out. My dick got hard every night just watching her.

Tonight, though, the churning in my stomach overpowered anything else. I didn’t know what was wrong with me, but it was like something had reached up behind my ribs and squeezed. I pressed my hand to my chest. My heart was beating faster, the same way it did after a good workout.

We’ll go, you’ll show them that you’re happy, we’ll leave.

But I’m not happy.

Her words, that look on her face when she said it, were on repeat in my head. How the fuck would I know what happy looked like? I’d assumed she was because she was still here, right? She hadn’t tried to run again.

Because you threatened her family.

I rubbed my temples, confused. I’d mastered my self-control, if I hadn’t, I would’ve fucked Sophia already. But this spinning feeling in the pit of my gut, like I wasn’t on solid ground, was unsettling, and I didn’t know how to make it stop. Sophia was safe, protected. She had all her things. An office to do her work. A big house, a comfortable bed. I made her come hard every night. I assumed those things would make her happy. But when I’d said it out loud and she’d contradicted me, I’d been—surprised.

When I used to go to her apartment and watch her sleep, I’d hoped we’d end up here. That I’d somehow make her mine. I’d bought this house with her in mind, wanting to give her the kind of home she was used to growing up. I’d had the walls painted the same color as she’d painted her place, same sheets, same towels. I’d done what I thought she’d want. But I was doing something wrong, obviously.

Why do you care?

Did I? Did it matter to me if she was content? Well, considering I was standing here still laboring over four fucking words that she’d said three hours ago, it looked like I did. It was a realization I hadn’t been prepared for. What did that mean? What the fuck was I supposed to do now? A woman’s emotions, fucking anyone’s emotions were beyond my understanding. I didn’t know how to fix this.

A noise came from behind me, and I turned as Sophia walked down the stairs. She was in the dress I’d bought her. I hadn’t selected it, Dec had organized it. He knew the right people, and I didn’t have a fucking clue where to start. He’d sent me pictures of two different dresses, and I’d chosen this one.

It was peach, the color almost the same as her skin, making her look naked at first glance. The hem stopped mid-thigh, and there was a slight glitter to the dress when she moved. The fabric skimmed over her curves, hugging her perfect tits, and was held in place by straps so thin it looked as if they would snap if she moved the wrong way. Her shoes matched the dress, the heel spiked, and I wanted to wrap her legs around my waist and fuck her in it.

“Do you like it?” I said before I knew the words were coming out of my mouth.

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