Page 104 of Filthy Little Games

“Obligatory...” I can’t even finish repeating that offensive remark.

“There are plenty of women who would give it to me for much simpler reasons.”

“You are so full of shit!” I push my chair back and get to my feet. “There are no other women, because you’reAccabadore. If they are, it’s only because they’re gold-diggers with ulterior motives.”

“Maybe so, but I guess I don’t find gold-diggers quite as deceitful.At least they’re honest about what they want from me, whether it’s my credit card or a giant diamond ring.”

“And you don’t think that I’ve been honest about what I want from you?”

“No, I don’t, Zara. I think you’ve been hurt, victimized for so long that you can’t stop trying to please people, even the ones who use you. It’s as if you think all you deserve is the abuse. You don’t even get why Emilio and Izaiah were manipulating you by using your daughter’s wellbeing.”

“They did it because they were sick bastards who would take whatever they wanted whenever they wanted it without caring about how I felt. I guess you’re not that much different from them, Creed.”

The muscle in his jaw ticks. “Other than the marriage, I haven’t made you do anything. Did you forget that you’re the one who came to my bed last night and climbed on top of me?”

“Don’t worry, I willnevermake that mistake again,” I tell him before storming out of the dining room.

“Good! I’m glad we finally understand each other!” he calls after me, his words so cruel that I nearly run into the staff bringing out the asshole’s dinner.

I hope the son of a bitch burns his fucking tongue on every bite of the steaming dishes.

Creed

I fucking knew it.

Zara just admitted that sleeping with me was a mistake.

Last night, she didn’t really want me, but I didn’t stop her.

And I fucking hate the scalding fire burning up my stomach, into my lungs when she walks out of the dining room.

I wanted to share a meal with her, one last meal with my wife before she leaves tomorrow. And I had to go and run my mouth, antagonizing her until she gave me exactly what I wanted from her — the truth.

But if I had asked her to stay with me, to sleep in my bed with me again tonight, I’d be no better than Emilio or Izaiah, forcing her to pleasure me out of manipulation, rather than doing it because she wants me.

While I’m angry at myself for losing out on spending more time with her, a small part of me is also relieved. Relieved I won’t have to worry about being inside her and doing something thosestronzos did, triggering her and hurting her even more than using her body. Zara would’ve done anything I asked because she’s so grateful to me for bringing her daughter back to her.

While I haven’t seen her with Oriana today, I had Matteo and Maurice send me reports and photos of them together all day.

Zara is a good mother. It’s a shame those monsters kept her from her daughter for so long and used the girl as blackmail.

I’m glad I killed Izaiah, and I’m looking forward to killing Emilio.

I’ll be ready to deal with the fallout when I do, whatever it will be, just as soon as Zara and Oriana are out of the country. I want them to get as far away from me, from Emilio, and the violence of the mafia once and for all.

32

Creed

“So, Zara’s leaving today?” Dre asks when he finds me brooding in my Omerta office.

“Yes,” My brow furrows. “How did you know?”

“I just came from the penthouse. There were suitcases sitting at the door.”

“They’re leaving this afternoon.” I glance at the watch on my wrist. “In about fifteen minutes, actually.”

“And you’re not going up there to spend your last few minutes with your wife?”

---