Page 123 of Sinful Pleasure

She shook her head, her eyes burning into me.

“Angelo might be stupid, but I’m not. I see everything.”

“You’re wrong.”

I lied, my voice coming out sharp as a defensive reaction, but I knew my eyes had betrayed me.Lydia laughed, the sound sharp and knowing.

“Are you trying to convince me, or yourself?”

Damn it.

I looked down, unable to meet her gaze.

“You should be thankful Angelo doesn’t know, because if he did, he wouldn’t hesitate to throw your ass to the wolves. And Maddox? He’d pay for what he did.”

Her words felt like knives, each one cutting deeper, but she was right.

“I wouldn’t tell him because I love both of my brothers. And as much as you don’t believe me, I care about you too. And that’s why this has to stop.” She said, her voice lowering. “Whatever you think you have with Maddox—it ends here.”

“There is absolutely nothing going on between me and Maddox,” I protested, my voice coming out weaker than I intended.

Lydia raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. Shedidn’t believe me—not even for a second—but she decided to play along.

“Alright then,” she said, clapping her hands together. She flashed that famous smile, the one she always wore, but this time, it didn’t hold its usual warmth. It was cruel, sharp, and laced with something darker.

“Believe me, Allyn. You were arranged to the right brother. He’s the better choice of the two.”

Another slap struck my face, sharp and quick.

“Angelo cares about you.”

She stepped closer, and I couldn’t help but follow her every move with my eyes. The air between us had shifted.Her hand rose, fingers lightly grazing my cheek, but the touch felt like ice. Her eyes locked onto mine, and her gaze was unyielding, calculating.

“And Angelo is your best chance to stay alive,” she murmured, a cold smile curling on her lips. She tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, her touch lingering but distant.

“Think smart, Allyn.”

CHAPTER37

MADDOX

“What a pleasant surprise.”

Mikael Romano’s disgusting smile greeted me from the other side of the table, surrounded by his bodyguards, as expected.

A man I’ve crossed paths with a few times, yet I can’t fucking stand him.

For a man barely 5’7, he’s a real pain in the ass—impudent, irritating.I’d happily put a bullet in his skull, but I know better than to entertain that thought.

His men are just waiting for any wrong move I make, looking for an excuse to take me down.And I’m on his turf. No point in risking it.My two men and I don’t stand much of a chance against his little army. But if it came down to it, I wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger.

“I was expecting a visit from your family,” he said, dragging on his cigarette and leaning back in his expensive leather chair, crossing his legs. “But I didn’t expect it to be you.”

I could hear the sneer in his voice. Piece of shit.

“Cut the bullshit,” I snapped. “You know why I’m here.”

I’m not one for pleasantries. I deal in business and I have unfinished business with him.

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