Page 82 of Devious Lies

A show. Like she is putting on a costume every time she gets behind the bar.

Yeah, I've watched her flirt. It's killed me watching her flirt, but she wasn't mine then.

Not like she is now.

Fine.

I'm a possessive prick.

But I won’t compromise on this.

I don't want her working in the bar anymore. It’s going to be one of my stipulations of our arrangement.

I know we’ve been over it before. But she doesn’t have to worry about money.

Maria can pursue anything she wants to do now. She can go back to school. Start a business.

Anything at all.

Yeah, I’m aware it makes me a dick. I know I shouldn't demand it.

But I can't fucking help myself.

My girl isn't gonna work at the bar. No fucking way.

My jealousy won’t stand for it.

“Hey,” I say, and I pull her to me.

“What?” she murmurs, trying to play it off.

Like I don’t know the shot glass comment got her thinking about some hard times.

Baby Girl has big feelings and I know thinking about those years of running brings up bad memories for her.

I hug her to me. This is the side I’ve been dying to know.

The one where she takes off the mask. The one where she lets me in.

Maria sighs and wraps her arms around my waist, putting her head on my chest.

Fuck.

This woman feels so good in my arms. I can’t believe she’s finally mine.

The idea that some asshole has been hassling her, threatening her, makes me feel fucking feral.

I’ve been digging into Matteo Sanchez. That slimy motherfucker has a certain reputation with women.

He’s, shall we say, unorthodox in his sexual preferences. Degradation and humiliation are how he gets off.

There’ve been rumors of missing women. Pros who get paid to do the fucked up shit their clients want.

Now, it’s not my business how someone gets off or how someone else makes a living. But if those women are dead somewhere because of this vile fuck, then that is just another reason for me to end his sorry existence.

I kiss Maria’s head.

My cock twitches eagerly behind my sweatpants.

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