Page 173 of My Sweetest Temptation

“Boss?” Enzo tried again.

“Yeah, I heard you,” I grumbled, the anger bubbling beneath the surface, mingling with the guilt that I couldn’t shake off. I rose to my feet, my decision made out of instinct rather than clarity.

As soon as I opened the basement door, her sweet voice pierced the heavy air like an arrow aimed straight at my heart. “Can I please use the bathroom?” she asked, her tone edged with a hint of desperation that made my stomach twist.

I took slow, deliberate steps down the stairs. The dim light revealed her figure, hunched slightly in her chair. The sight made my chest tighten.

Winter raised her head, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, a pleading smile ghosting across her beautiful face. "Nico, please," she begged.

Lips I kissed many times.

Lips that breathed life into my dark soul.

She gave me the kiss of life. The first woman who revived my cold and lifeless heart, only to rip it out of my chest and leave it for the hell hounds to feast on.

She played me well.

And I fell for her bullshit.

Her eyes were bloodshot from the crying she’d been doing since she left my office.

I pulled the knife from my pocket and knelt before her. Her golden-brown eyes that were once bright like honey were now dull and dead. She flinched, trying to escape from the monster that had already escaped from hell as I used my knife to sweep her hair away from her face. She turned her gaze from me, and her breath began to slow down.

I narrowed my eyes and spoke in a low, menacing tone. "Were you sent to spy on me?”

“No,” she pleaded, her voice shaking.

I leaned in closer. “Who. Sent. You?"

She whimpered, and my heart cracked a little, but I quickly reminded myself who I was and the reason she was sitting in the chair.

Lied to me.

Spied on me.

Betrayed me.

"Nico, pl-please. It wasn’t me," she softly cried, her breath coming in shallow gasps.

I gritted my teeth, holding back the urge to fuck the truth out of her. "I told you what would happen if you betrayed me."

Her golden eyes flashed with hurt as she retorted, "I didn't betray you, Nico!"

A cruel smile twisted my lips, and I stepped closer, looming over her. "Cut the innocent bullshit." She shivered, either from the cold or the icy rage in my voice.

"I swear on my life, Nico. I would never?—"

"Stop lying to me!" I roared in her face.

“I didn’t do anything.” Her tears spilled from her eyes. "It wasn’t me. You have to believe me,” she pleaded.

Doubt again crept into my mind. I looked into her eyes, those deep, soulful eyes that had once brought me comfort, now brimming with genuine pain. But I pushed those feelings aside. I was the motherfucking mafia don, feared by many. I couldn't let emotions cloud my judgment.

“Tell me this,” I began. “What do you know about the Puppet Master?”

Her expression twisted into one of genuine confusion, her brow furrowing. “I don’t know who that is.”

“He said your name is Gigi, not Winter. Why does he know about you?” I interrupted, my voice rising. “Why would he lie about something like this?”

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