Page 54 of Vengeful Lies

“A date. I promised you a reward and a favor. I can manage both tonight.”

“That seems awfully cocky, don’t you think? Very few things excite me. Especially when they come from a man.”

He leans in, his hot breath against my ear, flushing me with an immediate fever. “I think we both know that’s a lie. Especially when your fiancé is involved.” He makes a point to look down at my left ring finger. I’ve kept the ring on, though I still haven’t gotten used to it.

“Does it involve food?” I ask, realizing I’ve only eaten a protein bar today.

“It can on the way, but not at the function.”

“The function?” I ask, looking down at my jeans and midriff-baring tank top.

“I have a change of clothes for you in the car.”

I scoff, but before I can argue with him, he says, “I promise you’ll love what I have for you, my sweet fiancée. It’s something that will exceed your expectations.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “Very doubtful.” And yet I follow him out to the car. He seems smug about it. As we walk out from behind the counter, Laurence seems to be avoiding my gaze, most likely embarrassed by whatever type of payoff was made for him to let Eli through. Though Eli most likely just walked straight through anyway.

“What, you just want me to leave my car parked here the rest of the day and overnight?” I demand as I stare at my yellow car. Other than Eli’s slick black sports car, it’s the only car in the lot.

“I’ll have Hawke and Ford drive it back to your apartment.”

I shake my head, furious with this man’s ability to always have everything go his way. And I want to fight and argue with him about it, but I’ve come to realize that while I’m stuck in this shitty position of fake marrying the mafia heir, I have to pick my battles.

And this is not a battle I need to fight.

He opens the passenger door to reveal a black bag on the seat. He pulls it out and hands it to me expectantly.

“How do you even know you have my measurements right?” I ask as I take it.

“I know everything about my fiancée. And besides, I have a photographic memory.”

I look at him, and heat floods my core at the insinuation.A photographic memory from the other night.I wonder how I looked to him, sprawled on the hood of his car.Thiscar.

I’ll have to make a point to light it on fire.

I zip open the bag, revealing a tight black dress. On the seat is also a set of strappy black heels and two boxes of what I imagine to be jewelry.

“You know this shit doesn’t woo me, right?” I say, not entirely opposed to the grand gifts. After all, once I put a bullet in his head, I can sell them. In fact, I might be inclined to hock them while he’s still alive just to piss him off.

“Perhaps not, but where we’re going will.”

There’s a chance the dress might not fit, but I very much doubt that. The parking lot is empty, so I begin to peel off my shirt, and then I notice Eli watching.

“Avert your gaze,” I warn him. I might not have my preferred guns right now, but that doesn’t mean I’m not carrying. I always carry a knife with me.

“You want me to avert my gaze after I fucked you like a filthy animal only a few nights ago?” he deadpans.

I tilt my nose higher. “We had a momentary truce. We don’t anymore.”

He chuckles but, surprisingly, turns his back to me as I shimmy out of my jeans. I’m wildly pissed when the dress fits perfectly. I strap the heels on, and when I open the boxes, I gasp quietly. Fuck, these definitely cost more than my car. Hell, more than six months’ worth of my rent, most likely.

“Do you like diamonds?” he asks as he turns and picks up the diamond necklace. I’m in shock at the size of it. He steps behind me and instructs me to lift my hair. I do as I’m told… for once. His warm fingertips brush over my collarbones and then move to secure the necklace in place. His knuckle brushes down the back of my neck when it’s clipped up, and my breath hitches.

I hate how this man has a hold over me. I don’t understand it. Can’t fathom it.

I turn to face him, and he’s watching me carefully as I look up at him through thick eyelashes.

He swallows. “You should wear your hair up.”

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