Page 39 of Tainted Ties

He tapped his fingers on the wooden table between us. “What do you want with my sister?” Enzo asked.

I couldn’t help the sinister laugh that escaped me. Not because I was surprised by his concern for Aurora, but because that was a question withmanyanswers.

WhatdidI want from Aurora?I knew I wanted her.

“Are you searching for an appropriate answer or—”

“Don’t fucking play games with me.”

“Then understand I’m in no mood for games either. What I want with your sister isn’t yourdamnbusiness.”

“She’ll always be my business whether you like it or not. I won’t stop until she’s out of your depraved hands.”

He was brave and tenacious, which was respectable. But it was futile against me.

“What can I offer you to let her go?”

Another laugh escaped me. “You can’t offer me what you don’t have.”

“Then let me take her place.”

“As I said, you can’t offer me what you don’t have.” And because I knew it would get under his skin, I added, “Unless, it’s your sister’s pussy.” I tilted my head in feigned shock. “Although, I didn’t need you to offer me that.”I’d take it anyway.

As expected, Enzo shot up from his seat, his hand grabbing my collar and pulling me to him. “Shut your fucking mouth.”

“I appreciate your futile efforts.” I smirked as I grabbed his arm and tugged him off me. “Key word,efforts.” I stood, dusting off the spot where he touched my suit. “Have a nice day, Enzo.”

No one could replace Aurora. She was mine to do with as I pleased.

When I turned to leave, his voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Wealthy or not, if you hurt her, Iwillkill you.”

Chapter14

Aurora

Some people think the worst part about betrayal is when it happens by someone you trusted—but it’s not.

The worst part about betrayal is losing yourself completely, trying to understand how you let it happen.

Every morning was the same; I’d wake up and overanalyze every interaction I ever had with Raphael.

I couldn’t accept that he and Roman were brothers. I couldn’t accept that Raphael hadspiedon me for his brother.

He’d tried contacting me several times, but I loathed him for what he did. It didn’t matter that he fell in love with me because what he did was unforgivable.

I gave myself to him wholly and it wasn’t genuine. I felt dirty, as if there was a transparent layer of grime I couldn’t get rid of, no matter how hard I scrubbed myself raw.

What hurt the most wasn’t that Raphael pursued me to fulfill his duty. What hurt the most was for a decade, I was hiding from someone who had me under surveillance the whole time.

I had never accomplished my goal of being free.

And how was it that the one person I hated, managed to ignite unexplainable emotions I had never experienced before from a single kiss?Ever.

It had been over a month since Roman and I kissed, and his touch lingered on my lips as if it happened yesterday.

I wish it had vanished like a puff of smoke in that foyer.

---