Page 51 of My Sweetest Temptation

“Quite a spectacle you’ve put on. I must admit, it kept me entertained and... my dick hard,” he said as he straightened his suit jacket.

The fire in me bubbled up, ready to explode like a pressure cooker at the thought of him thinking of my angel that way. But I pushed it back to get through this conversation.

When I didn’t respond, he continued. “Where is the little spitfire?” He looked around as if I had hidden her in the corner. “I’d like to show her how much I enjoyed her getting you riled up.”

This motherfucker.

I clenched my teeth and tucked my hands into my pockets to stop myself from ripping out his tongue and shoving it up his ass.

“Oh, come now, I thought you didn’t mind sharing.” He chuckled, taking a few steps closer. “I could see how much she affected you. I bet she tastes delicious.”

I felt my men stir beside me, their protective instincts bristling.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I sent her home,” I responded, keeping my tone aloof like I didn’t give a fuck.

The mayor’s eyebrows raised in feigned disappointment. “That’s a shame. I would’ve liked to get up close and personal with her sweet mouth.” He licked his lips and adjusted his hard on. “And every other hole in her body.”

As if Matteo could sense that I was ready to detonate, he stepped closer, a silent warning to keep my shit in control. I couldn’t show any weakness or how much Winter meant to me, otherwise, he would consider it a challenge and go after her. Hurt her, even.

“Unfortunately, she’s off limits,” I told him, trying not to crack my teeth with the way I was grinding them. “She belongs to me, and I don’t share.” I gave him a pointed look so he knew I was not fucking around.

“I see. But you have no problem sharing the others?”

This fucker was baiting me, but I wouldn’t bite. He didn’t have power over me, and I needed to remind him of that. I took a menacing step forward so I was toe to toe with the asshole. “You dare question me in my domain?” I asked, my voice deep and threatening. “You mistake my intentions. This has nothing to do with sharing and everything to do with you overstepping your bounds. In. My. Fucking. House.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, but he held his ground, his eyes flicking to my men, then back to me. “I meant no offense. Given your arrangement, I thought she might be fair game.”

“I say which girls can be shared. My club. My girls. My rules. Understand?”

He nodded and ran his hand down his tie. “Of course, Nico. I meant no offense.”

Stupid son of a bitch. Didn’t he realize how quickly I could end his life with the flick of my hand?

He held my gaze for a long moment. “Very well,” he said at last, straightening and adjusting his suit jacket. “I’ll play by your rules...for now.”

“Good. See that you do,” I said and lightly smacked his cheek twice like the bitch that he was. “Or next time, it will be more than just words.” I took a step back, dismissing him. “Have yourself a good night.”

He inclined his head, a mockery of a bow. “Gentlemen,” he said and strode out of the room.

The moment he was out of earshot, Luca said, “I hate that guy.”

The mayor was a slimeball. He would only do what I said until he didn’t need me anymore. He thought he was a necessity to me by keeping his mouth shut about the drugs that we smuggled into the US. But he was the one who needed me. He just didn’t know it. One word about his extracurricular activities and secrets would not only tarnish his image, but it would destroy his family, and he’d face jail time. I had secrets about his wife having an affair with her brother-in-law; his perfect princess daughter, a Harvard college student, addicted to opioids; and his son… The son who had a gambling debt that not even his father could save him from. The mayor thought coming to my club and fucking my girls was the only secret I was keeping for him.

I laughed to myself, knowing that when the time came, I had enough ammo to destroy his pathetic life.

“How is everything going?” Uncle Malik asked me during our monthly check-in.

“It’s fine. Just... still getting used to everything,” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

“I understand. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

I sighed, the weight of my situation pressing down on me. “I know. Are you any closer to finding out who’s after me so I can come back home?”

“Not yet. But I might have a lead. I hope to have more for you on our next call.” He offered me a flicker of hope, and I clung to it like a lifeline.

“I miss you,” I whispered, my heart aching with the distance between us.

“I miss you too, kiddo. Just hang in there. We’ll get you home,” he reassured me.

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