Page 169 of Sinful Games

Apparently, he’d shown up at her place a week ago, acting all concerned about my well-being, suggesting that maybe a visit from her would give me the closure I so desperately needed. What he didn’t know was that Caia had been feeling threatened by some stranger and, using that, she found a way to ask for my help.

She wanted my protection and, maybe, my forgiveness.

When she told me, I couldn’t decide if I wanted to laugh or beat the shit out of Angelo. Obviously, I chose the latter. I sped across the city to his gallery and barged into his office ready for blood.

Angelo leaned back in his chair, eyes on me. “You have every right to be pissed. But think—why would I do this? Why push Caia to see you if I didn’t think it was for the best?”

“Don’t try to play the saint,” I growled.

“I’m not,” he laughed. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you needed this. You’ve been stuck, Romaniev. If seeing her is what’ll finally help you move on, then so be it.”

My jaw tightened. "You don't get to fucking decide what’s best for me, Lazzio."

"No," he said, locking eyes with me, "but someone had todo something. You’ve been spinning in circles, Romaniev. It’s time to break out."

I dragged a hand through my hair and dropped into the chair opposite his desk, feeling drained by all the bullshit life’s been throwing at me.

Annoyingly enough, Lazzio was right.

I’d been lost in this dark hole for the last two years, and he’d been watching me the whole time. But the fact that he saw through my mess, and thought he could help, grated on my nerves.

“I know it hurts your pride,” he continued. “But look at the bright side. Now you can finally move on with your life.” His phone started ringing just as he finished.

I scoffed, bitterness rising up inside me. If only he knew.

Seeing Caia, hearing her say my name, has only made me more obsessed than ever. Now, I was determined to get my wife back, no matter how much she fucking resisted.

“It’s even more fucked up now, thanks to you, asshole,” I muttered, barely audible, exhaling a heavy sigh.

He chuckled, answering his phone. “Salve, Bruno. Come stai? Ho ricevuto la tua proposta. Sono a bordo. Ci vediamo a Venezia.”

While he spoke in heathen language, I let my eyes wander over his desk, noting the mix of personal crap and business stuff. A picture of him with his parents at a restaurant on the Amalfi Coast, another of him cuddling that stupid Pomeranian of his, Giorgio.

Then, something small caught my eye behind one of the photos.

I reached for it, turning it in my hand—a YSL Rouge Pur Couture lipstick.

Just then, the door swung open, and Jade Whitenhouse strutted in, a folder clutched under her arm. She looked like she was headed to a prairie picnic or about to star in a cowboyshow—tight black tube top, a flowy white mini skirt, and high-heeled boots. Her hair pulled high, lips painted in a bold red.

I glanced at the lipstick in my hand, a smirk tugging at my lips.

“Hey, Alexsei,” she purred, ignoring Angelo, who was still on the phone. “Long time no see.”

“Jade,” I replied with a smirk, lifting the lipstick. “Looks like you dropped something.”

Angelo’s eyes flicked toward the lipstick, narrowing as realization hit him. He quickly ended his call. “Miss Whitenhouse, how many times do I have to tell you to knock before?—”

“Yes, it’s mine!” She snatched it from my hand with a grin. “I’ve been looking for it everywhere. Must’ve dropped it this morning when...” She trailed off, glancing between me and Angelo, her lips clamped shut like she was holding back something juicy.

The room went dead silent, all eyes on Jade as we waited for her to explain herself.

“When, Miss Whitenhouse?” Angelo cut in, an eyebrow arched, suspicion lacing his tone. “What the hell were you doing in my office when I wasn’t around?”

Jade’s gaze flicked around, clearly trying to dodge the heat. “Well, I was just—” But she didn’t get far before her phone buzzed. She checked it, relief washing over her face. “Ah, Volk and Sofiya are landing tonight,” she chirped, her mood lifting. “We’re planning a brunch tomorrow. Care to join us, Alexsei?”

Shit, I’d totally forgotten Volk was coming for the opening of Angelo’s new museum exhibition. The theme was “Athena: The Goddess of War and Her Disciples.” Ironically, that was Jade’s brainchild.

Originally, Angelo wanted to focus on Alexander the Greatand his epic conquests, but Jade worked her magic—whatever hold she had over him was both impressive and puzzling. She convinced him that spotlighting Athena and the fierce women who fought for their rights would be way more interesting. Unsurprisingly, Angelo caved.

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