Page 178 of Hateful Games

Iris picks up and murmurs, “Hello.” Biting her lip, she extends it to me. “Nova would like to speak with you.”

Rolling my eyes, I take it. Bringing the speaker closer, I clear my throat loudly so he hears me on the other end. Then I hang up once more. “He got the message.”

Chapter Forty-six

Nova

I haven’t kissed my wife in two goddamn days.

My body is going through withdrawals.

I’m constantly distracted, running on fumes because sleep has evaded me and my employees are walking on eggshells around me. How does she have me addicted so fast?

I knew she was going to resist me after I fucked her sweet mouth. The single best blow job of my life. But what I didn’t expect was her to erect a wall in the form of an angry pit bull, Bunny, who doesn’t even allow me within a mile radius of her. The damn dog growls and barks as soon as I’m in the same room with her.

Hell, he even sleeps in our bed. Which means I’m out sleeping in the guest bedroom.

Meanwhile, Rosalie goes about her day without a care in the world. Her indifferent attitude rivaling a cold-hearted man. She’s hired a bodyguard that can’t be bought with money or scared with threats. Or fired.

Left with no alternative choice, I’ve had to resort to bribing.

“Are you sure you don’t want a bite, Bunny?” I calmly wave the slice of meat in front of his face. He doesn’t even lift his head from his paws. I offer the next item. “Maybe bacon?”

I hold my breath when he sniffs the air and then turns his head away.

Why couldn’t he be smitten with me like Fire is?

Yanking out phone, I type ‘how to bribe dogs’ in the search bar. It says to give them a treat. Dammit, I already tried that. Next, it suggests to bring them toys.

Huh. I look at Bunny thoughtfully. He does like to play and jump.

This may work.

Quickly, I order a bunch online. Afterward, I check the time and it’s seven in the evening. Rosalie is yet to be back from the shelter, which she’s visiting daily. Today my mom joined her as well. Those two have become thick as thieves after just a single meet.

It pleases me because I can see it healing my mom.

When left alone, her demons return.

It’s my biggest fear because I almost lost her the last time.

If only I could get Rosalie to like me like she does my mother.

I came home early, hoping to convince her to have dinner together at the Italian restaurant she loves. Instead, I returned to an empty home.

Luckily, I didn’t give the cook I hired after the kitchen fiasco the night off. A middle-aged woman named Tanu.

“Mr. D’Cruz,” she says. “I’ve cooked rajma and rice, as well as mashed potatoes. Is there anything else you’d like me to do before I leave?”

“No, thank you.”

“Okay,” she smiles. “I’ll be here tomorrow morning. Good night, Mr. D’Cruz.”

The door shuts behind her and my thoughts drift to work. It had been another day of a problematic shit show. I decided to send my team on the Middle East project to a remote location to avoid risking another leak. There will be lots of scrutiny on our firm in the coming months, especially after we announce the opening of The Cruz Port tomorrow night.

It will be the biggest port in the country yet.

I should be celebrating this milestone. However, my mind is stuck on the insider in my company. As if luck is on my side, my phone buzzes in my pocket.

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