Page 101 of Married With Lies

I’ve known Vinny Tello since I was a teenager. Luca still calls him Uncle Vinny. He’s a man worth respecting. But now I’m higher up the ladder than he is and I’m not accepting orders to run out on Sadie with only a farewell wave. She’s my priority. Not Richie or Vinny or the little douchebag who killed one of Richie’s casino partners over a petty labor dispute.

“Whatever you say,” Vinny says.

“Two hours,” I tell him. “Stand by.”

He hangs up first. I’m sure he’s pissed. But he’s also not a rat. He won’t go whining to Richie.

My next call is to the main kitchen to order breakfast. Sadie has a weakness for scones. I tell them to bring up coffee, juice, and anything that resembles a scone so she can have her pick.

Back in our room, my sleeping angel is still immersed her dreams. I’m already hating the moment when I’ll need to leave her.

The food arrives in minutes. I leave it on the small dinette table by the window and head for the shower. I’m delaying the inevitable while earning Richie’s wrath with each passing minute that I don’t jump at his command.

The next time I step out of the bathroom, I’m showered and dressed. And Sadie is awake. She’s wrapped in the bed comforter and nibbling on a croissant by the window. When she sees me, she jumps off the chair with a squeal.

“You’re dressed,” she scolds as she collides with my chest. “How inconsiderate of you.”

I want to look at her. I pull back just enough to cup her face in my hands. “I’m sorry about that.” I brush a kiss across her lips.

Sadie has already caught on that something is wrong. A dent appears between her brows. “What’s the matter?”

Sinking into the nearest chair, I pull her into my lap and wrap my arms around her. “I have to leave.”

She deflates. The light in her eyes dims. “When?”

“Soon. I was able to delay for a couple of hours but that’s all. We can have breakfast and then I’ll drive you back to the ranch when you’re ready.”

“But I thought we’d have the day together. And then I was hoping that maybe you could come stay at the ranch for a few days at least.”

Fuck, how I hate disappointing her. My chest actually feels tight, like I’ve been offered a glimpse of heaven before getting sent on an elevator straight to hell. “I wish I could, baby. I truly do.”

She nods, chewing her lip, clearly upset and trying not to show it. “Is it important?”

NO! It’s another stupid fucking revenge mission for a criminal empire.

“It’s important enough. I do need to go.”

Sadie tries to smile. She insists on feeding me the rest of her croissant. The mood has taken a severe downturn but she tries to keep up a steady stream of cheerful chatter as she stays in my lap and sips her juice.

I’m sure she’s wondering why I’m not tackling her to the bed for a sequel to last night’s wild times. If only she knew how much I want to carry her to that bed, use her body until we’re both shattered and blot out the rest of the fucking world.

“Do you want to shower before we leave?” I ask.

She nods, puzzled. She leans in for a kiss and I have it to make it a quick one so I’m not tempted to take it further. It would feel unfair to her, as if I’m taking something I don’t deserve to have.

Of course, I never deserved her in the first place.

That’s the problem.

When Sadie emerges from the bathroom she’s pink-cheeked and dressed in jeans. She’s also wearing that eyesore of a sweater again. “Because I know it’s your favorite,” she teases, hoping for a smile.

She can have one. She can have all my smiles, for what they’re worth.

Sadie finishes packing up and gives the room one last fond look. “We should come back here sometime,” she says.

I pick up her suitcase. “We’ll do that.”

What an asshole I am for making promises I’m not sure I can keep.

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