Page 127 of Sinful Pleasure

“That’s just another proof of how much my husband loved Allyn, even though she wasn’t his biological daughter.’’

My mind was spinning. All I managed to do was stare like an idiot.

“Not long after his death, I discovered who Allyn really was, and then everything finally clicked. The attacks, the beatings, the threats—everything. But it was already too late.”

“It doesn’t make fucking sense,” I muttered, shaking my head as I tried to connect the dots, but it wasn’t adding up.“Why would The Romano's be looking for Allyn and do all of this, if they just abandoned her on some fucking street?”

“I think she was taken away from them, and your father lied to us.”

“Your father took her away from me…”

Mikael’s words echoed in my mind.

Could that be true? Could my father stand behind this?

But why would he do that?

I couldn’t believe this part just yet. I needed the whole fucking story.I prayed that what I was starting to suspect wasn’t true—because if it was, I had no idea what I might do.

“Because this bitch is worth more than she deserves.”

I recalled the words he’d once told me and how confusing they had sounded back then.

But now, with everything falling into place, the truth might be more messed up than I ever imagined.

CHAPTER38

MADDOX

I returned to New York the next day.

The flight was a shitshow.My head feels like it’s about to explode. I’m barely holding it together, fighting the urge to do something stupid.

I walked into the penthouse where Angelo and I had agreed to meet. But before I could even settle in, I heard Angelo and Allyn talking in the living room.

So I stayed behind the door, listening.

“I’m sick of this, Angelo,” I heard her say. “I’m sick of all this.”

“I know. I don’t like putting you in this situation either, but it’s for your safety.”

“Why? What are you protecting me from? I don’t understand.”

I closed my eyes, clenching my jaw.

“Some things are better left unknown.”

I didn’t like the way he was talking to her. So gentle, so kind—as if he actually gave a shit about her. It bugged the hell out of me.

Before I could think my legs moved, carrying me into the living room just as I caught Angelo hugging her.

I forced my gaze away.

“Angelo, let’s go.”

I focused on Angelo, though my real attention was on the womanstanding next to him. I could feel her eyes on me, and it’s painful to pretend I don’t.

Angelo nodded— without asking any unnecessary questions, kissed Allyn on the cheek, and like the masochist I am, I watched it all unfold.It felt wrong seeing it. It made me sick—knowing I had her first. It was like a punch in the stomach.

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