Page 126 of Filthy Little Games

“I didn’t throw you away.”

“That’s what it felt like.” I wave my hands toward the immaculate house thanks to the half-dozen servants who work here. “None of this or the fancy camera you sent with divorce papers can make up for that feeling either.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, his teeth grinding together as if those are his least favorite words. “I should’ve asked you what you wantedbefore sending you here. I still think it was the right decision to keep you safe. And that’s another reason I didn’t want you to work anywhere, telling people who you were, creating a trail of paper for the Rovinas or the NYPD to find you in case any bodies were to show up on the shores of the Hamptons.”

“Oh,” I mutter, since I didn’t consider that angle. I assumed by living in a small town so far from New York, nobody would find us here. One of the Rovinas could potentially find out about Oriana and try to get custody. Or Izaiah could wash up or evidence like videos or DNA could be traced to me.

“And I came to see you today to finally ask you what you want.”

I cross my arms over my chest to hold my towel in place. “Well, this isn’t it. As nice of a vacation as it’s been, it’s beautiful but... empty.”

“So, you want to return to New York?”

“Yes. Even though I know I shouldn’t. Ican’t.”

“What if I told you that I would do everything in my power to keep you and Oriana safe from the violence of my world?”

“I’d say you’re full of shit.”

“I’m not. I wouldn’t be here, giving you the option to come back with me, if I didn’t think it would work.”

“How?”

“I moved a dozen of my soldiers to provide security around the penthouse and whenever you and Oriana go out. I’ve purchased bulletproof vehicles, which should arrive soon.”

“Wow. That doesn’t sound cheap.”

“I’m also working on pinning Izaiah’s murder on a drug dealer to take that heat off us permanently. There won’t ever be a trial because the dealer will never be caught.”

“What if he is caught, though?”

“He won’t be. The guy recently ran off to Thailand, a few days after Izaiah was killed, and Emilio was tormenting all the dealersto question them. It turns out he was much safer in New York, since he got beaten to death in Phuket.”

“You had a drug dealer beaten to death in a city called Poo-Cat?”

“No.” Creed’s lips nearly curve into a smile. “I just got lucky that someone else conveniently beat him to death for us.”

“Sounds like you’ve thought of everything.”

“I’ve tried to. I needed to make sure everything was in place before you could return with me. If that’s what you want.”

“I do. You know I do. But Oriana...”

“I’ll spend whatever it takes to keep you two safe. I know I can’t protect you and her from the entire world, but I can protect you from mine or die trying.”

“It must be nice to be so rich and powerful that you can just snap your fingers and get whatever you want.”

“I can’t snap my fingers and get you, Zara, and you’re the only thing I actually want in my life. Fuck the rest of it. Without you…I’ve been a miserable bastard since you left on that damn boat.”

“You didn’t even tell me goodbye,” I whisper while trying to wrap my head around everything he’s said when I still can’t believe he’s even here. “Do you know how much that hurt? To think that you cared so little for me?”

“I was a gigantic pussy. Is that what you want to hear? I should’ve said goodbye to you. I’ve regretted avoiding you that morning from the second I watched the boat pull away from the dock.”

“You watched us leave?”

“Yes. Stupid, right? To be so close and not have the balls to speak a word to you?”

“That is pretty stupid.” I smile, blinking at the most handsome man in the world through a blur of tears.

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