Page 107 of Sin & Sapphire

He wrapped his arm around my waist possessively, and we walked into the boutique. His bodyguard held and opened the door for us as I stiffened and held myself proudly.

A young woman greeted us, rubbing her palms on her skirt, as if to rid them of sweat. Poor thing. I searched my memory for her face. Fuck, she was part of the Russo empire, a minor cousin—Chloe Morelli.

“Angelo,” I murmured. “Did you intend to make such a loud announcement of my return?”

“Walk her to a dressing room, will you, doll?” he asked Chloe. I hated the pressure in my chest after he gave another woman a nickname.

“Her name is Chloe,” I said, hoping it would come off as snark and not jealousy.

Angelo glanced over his shoulder at me, then turned, his lips tilting up into a beautiful smile that told me he wasn’t fooled one bit.

Chloe touched my elbow, and I followed her through a second room with a couch, a set of mirrors around a tiny round stage.

“All of the mafia men bring their sluts here,” she sneered once we were out of Angelo’s hearing. “Even the daughters of dons, I guess.”

Because that’s what I was. Angelo’s slut. His well-trained plaything, used as bait to draw out the Russos and everyone else in town who wanted a piece of the Costa empire.

Angelo walked in behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, nuzzling into my neck. His citrus and cedar scent overwhelmed me.

“All of the dons bring their mistresses here?” he asked, and ran one hand down to my hip, where he traced his fingers in idle circles. I kept my face calm, as if I weren’t utterly humiliated being discussed this way.

“But not their wives,” Chloe sniffed.

Angelo didn’t say a word, just stroked my hip in silence. “Angel, get on your knees.”

My eyes flicked to Chloe as my heart shattered. Despite Valentin’s pretty words earlier this morning, Angelo wanted to play his games in public. I turned to face my lord and master, then gracefully sank to my knees on the hard tile of the boutique.

“Close your eyes, sweetheart.”

What?

“Don’t make me tell you twice.”

I closed my eyes.

“Lean forward, angel. I love the feel of your cheek against my thighs.”

My breath shuddering, terror and humiliation streaking through me, I nuzzled Angelo’s thigh.

“Good girl.”

He cocked a gun. “Don’t fucking move, Morelli,” he snarled.

“What the fuck?” Chloe shrieked, her heels clattering on the floor as she backed away.

Angelo fired a shot, and ceramic exploded somewhere to my left.

“I said, don’t fucking move!” Fingers stroked over my hair. “Keep your eyes closed, angel,” he said much more softly.

His phone rang—no, he was calling someone, and their phone was ringing on the speaker.

“What do you want, Costa?”

Luca.My heart lurched out of my chest.

“Chloe Morelli called Ana Costa a slut because I’m in her mother’s shop replacing Ana’s entire wardrobe after she escaped from that scumbag Tchérnov.”

“Why are you calling me, Costa?” Luca answered, his voice irate.

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