Page 47 of Deceitful Oath

I don’t even try to fight that thought anymore. I have no energy to argue with myself. I slip my phone out of my pocket, checking the time. Four hours until I have to pick her up.

Almost enough time to get myself together and transform into Dominic Wolf, the happy, fun boyfriend. The man I never was and could never live up to.

Vince drops me off at my penthouse and I take the elevator up alone. With every floor, the anger recedes, like a tide going out. By the time I make it up to my lobby, I have only enough energy to drag myself into the shower.

I slump on the marble bench, letting the hot spray of water batter me. Self-pity washes over me as I wonder if I’m good enough to fill my father’s shoes. What would he do if he was alive?

He’d figure out who’s behind the attacks on our shipments and warehouses.

He’d confront Mancini, face-to-face.

He’d kill Lux without a second thought.

I groan, running my hands through my hair. The destructive voice in my head mocks me, telling me I’m unworthy.

I’m not the lethal, ruthless killer my father expected me to be—The Wolf. Nor am I Dominic Wolf, the perfect boyfriend that Lux thinks I am.So, who the hell am I?

Okay, enough of this little identity crisis.I push myself off the bench, soaping up my body, making sure every little speck of blood disappears down the drain. By the time I get out of the shower, I feel a bit more like myself—whoever that is,I think wearily.

The elevator dings, catching my attention. I glance at my phone. It’s just a little after midnight. I think about grabbing my gun, but my penthouse is so secure that whoever just entered has the personal code.

Probably just Vince coming to check on me.

I stroll out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around my hips. When I turn into the hallway, I’m shocked to see Lux, bent over in the entryway, tugging off her boots. Her back is turned to me and she’s still wearing the little black dress she left in earlier.

I smile, the curve of her ass making my cock jump. All traces of exhaustion vanish as I imagine myself falling on my knees, gripping her hips, and burying my face between her thighs.

“Luxy? You’re home early…I thought I was picking you up later?”

She jumps, startled, and whirls around to face me. I freeze in place, staring at her tear-streak face. Her mascara is smudged under her eyes, giving her a haunted look.

Then my gaze zeroes in on the purple mark across her cheek.What the fuck is that?

She forces out a tiny laugh, sniffling and wiping a stray tear from her eye. “Got in a little accident with the walk-in fridge tonight. Carlo sent me home early.”

I beeline for her, grabbing her chin and tilting her face up to the light. She tries to pull away and yank off her jacket, but I keep a firm hold.

“Let me see it.”

“It’s not a big deal,” she shrugs, shrinking from my grasp. “Just my infamous clumsiness, as always.”

“This isn’t clumsiness,” I say, my voice edged with anger. “Look at me.”

She takes a big breath and meets my gaze, her eyes moist with unshed tears. “I walked into the door.”

“You’re going to have to learn to lie better than that,” I snap, rage prickling at my neck. She wrenches herself away and heads to the bedroom. I follow her, keeping my eyes trained on her back as she changes into sweatpants.

“Lux,” I call, my voice breaking. “Talk to me.”

She spins around, opening her mouth and closing it again. Whatever she sees in my face cracks her resolve, and she bursts into tears. I open my arms, calling her to me, and she climbs onto my lap. Stroking her back, I rock her gently and whisper comforting words in her ear.

“It’s okay, it’s going to be okay, just tell me what really happened,” I try again. She nods against my chest, sucking in a breath to stop her tears.

“Carlo called me into his office,” she starts, hiccupping and wiping her face. She winces when she touches her cheekbone. “Can you get me some ice for this?”

I put her down gently and dash to the kitchen.I swear to God, if Carlo Mancini had anything to do with that mark on her cheek, he’s a dead man.

The urge to protect her, to kill any man that even breathes in her direction, explodes inside of me. I’m ready to set the world on fire for her, starting with Mancini’s little VIP bar.

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