Page 58 of Sinful Pleasure

Sleep eluded me that night.

One question lingered, haunting me in the silence.

If Lydia hadn’t interrupted us, what was going to happen? Would he have taken me? Would he have pushed my panties aside and claimed me against that door?

Or would he have walked away?

A question I’ll never have an answer to.

CHAPTER15

MADDOX

“Maddox, are you listening?”

My father’s deep voice on the other end of the phone snapped me back to reality.

I had been staring out the window, watching Lydia and Allyn lying on the grass, talking and laughing. I quickly averted my gaze, stepping back from the window to avoid any further distractions.

‘’Yes.”

“He’s messing with our family,” my father continued, droning on in that annoyingly calm tone. “Show him why no one dares to fuck with us.”

I exhaled sharply. “I know what to do.”

I placed my gun on the table, the cold metal a reminder of the task ahead.

“Make it painful,” he added, a smug edge in his voice.

I rolled my eyes as I sank into the chair, taking a deep breath.

“I’ll do my part, but I’m skeptical about Angelo’s role in this.”

My father was quiet for a beat before speaking again.

‘‘What do you mean?’’

“The meeting in Italy.”

“What about it?”

“You know how important it is to us.” I clenched my jaw. “Why would you let his fiancée accompany him?”

Silence. Painful silence.

All I could hear was my father’s steady breathing and the impatience that was rising in me with every passing second.

“Just do your job, Maddox.” My father stated flatly.

“It’s dangerous,” My voice was laced with anger as I rose from my seat. “Angelo isn’t cut out for this.”

“Leave this to me,” he interrupted his tone as cold and impatient as ever.I clenched my fist, frustration bubbling inside me.

“You wanted me to keep her safe.”

“Yes, when Angelo isn’t around,” he said, his tone dripping with disdain. “The little bitch is worth more than she deserves.”

“Why?” The question slipped out before I could stop it. ‘‘Why is she so important to us?’’

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