Page 44 of Stolen Seconds

I stood, staring at my father on his bed, an oxygen mask covering his mouth.

“When will he be awake?” I asked Dr. Aldo.

He cleared his throat as he pushed back his gray hair. “It’s too early to tell, but it could take a while. His injuries were peculiar, especially on his head.”

I glanced at him, noting the scrunch of his nose. Dr. Aldo was a trusted employee, and he understood our line of business. I had no doubt that he knew exactly how my father received his injuries. Luckily, he never probed, and it was either because he didn’t care, or he wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

“Keep an eye on him and let me know when he’s conscious.” I turned and walked toward the door. “Don’t let him leave this room. I don’t care whatmethodsyou have to use.”

My father would die a slow death and I’d make sure he endured true pain before he rotted in hell.

Memories from the last time I was at the Club pulsed at the back of my mind as I walked into the ballroom.

I couldn’t help but scan the area for a certain blonde, my blood running hot when my gaze landed on her.

Tight leather pants hugged her lean legs like second skin and a lace red top accentuated her waist.Dammit. I needed my hands on her again.

I walked in her direction and used the excuse of Aurora being with her to my advantage.

“Luca!” Aurora greeted me with a hug and, like the devil himself, Roman appeared, pulling her off me.

“Worried I’ll take the mother of your children, brother?”

Roman’s eyes blazed, jaw tensing. “You’re a walking STD. Youattemptingto take my wife is the least of my worries.”

A sound came from beside me and I turned to see Irina rolling her eyes, blonde hair swaying as she avoided my gaze.

I bit the inside of my cheek. Was she jealous? It could be from disgust, but I’d assume the former.

“Always the dramatic one,” I tsked. “Hopefully, the baby doesn’t follow in your footsteps.”

My words were directed toward Roman, but my gaze was set on Irina because she wouldn’t look at me.

“So, uh, what do you think the gender is?” Auroraasked, pulling my attention away from her best friend, and I knew why. She worried her lip as she glanced at her husband and back at me before staring at Irina—who couldn’t be bothered to interact.

I was close to snapping and putting her ass over my shoulder to take her in a dark corner. It seemed she only enjoyed my company when we were alone or when I was pleasuring her.

Roman glared at me disapprovingly and he could continue doing so.

The fact of the matter was, I’d already been bitten by my vicious viper, and I was a masochist for more. He couldn’t scare me off. No one could.

“A girl.”

Aurora clapped her hands giddily. “Irina said the same!”

My lips twitched in amusement, and I couldn’t help but peer at her. She was staring off to the side, but I knew she felt my eyes on her.

Look at me, sweetheart.

Irina turned her head further, hiding her majestic face from my view and it grated on my nerves.

She wanted to play? Let’s fucking play.

“I need a drink.” I stalked off and irritation built at the base of my spine when Irina finally engaged with my two friends as I wandered farther away from them.

I signaled to the bartender, and a shot appeared before me. I downed it and slammed it on the counter, staring at Irina and hoping she could sense the heat of it.

She could deny me herself, but all she was doing was prolonging the inevitable. Irina would lose thisgame, and in the end, she would surrender to me. God knew she had me wrapped around her finger already and I was ready to get on my knees if she so much as asked me to.

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