Page 68 of Vengeful Lies

“Too much for the prize, but not enough for the hassle,” she quickly replies as she slips her feet out of my grasp. “Which is why when you pay me alongside giving me my guns back, it might make it barely acceptable.”

“You may be uncomfortable in that when going to try on dresses.” I wave my hand at her tight leather pants that she knows I can’t look away from. She strides over to the small bag in the corner she must’ve brought with her.

“The only one who is uncomfortable with me wearing these pants isyou,”she taunts. To make a point, she undoes her leather pants, her gaze on me as she shimmies them down her legs until she kicks them off.

Once she’s free of them, she unbuttons her shirt, showcasing her gorgeous tits in a black bra. Discarding it to the side, she stands in front of me in nothing but a G-string, the bra, and a smile.

“You don’t really think you’ll get away with taunting me like that, do you?” I ask, stepping closer.

“My guns?” she purrs.

“After we’re married,” I tell her for what feels like the hundredth time. “Momentary truce?” I suggest, my cock already swelling. I grab her by the hip, my thumb brushing over the aggressive neon bear with sharp claws and teeth. The sight of the tattoo causes the corner of my lips to twitch.

With a small smile, she flicks her hair over her shoulder and then turns to a small backpack she left by the door. She bends over, showing me her ass, and my cock painfully strains against my pants. Reaching into the bag, she pulls out a dress and then slips it on.

“Ready.” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. And I know she’s trying to work out a way to get out of this marriage and just take her guns.

Lucky for her, I like to play games.

And I always win.

CHAPTER 35

Jewel

Ileft my clothes scattered on his floor, and he didn’t pick them up, which I find funny because he immediately changed his shirt after I kicked him, even though there wasn’t a smudge on it. Or maybe he was doing it to show me his body. However, I have a feeling he doesn’t need validation from me. I’m sure Eli Monti gets that wherever he goes.

He takes a few phone calls on the drive to the bridal store. I listen keenly to see if anything might be of use to me or my client, not that I gave them any earth-shattering information last time. Despite keeping me close, Eli doesn’t seem to be entirely stupid, which is contrary to my previous beliefs.

He has a conversation with Ford and then one with Hawke, who stole Ford’s phone. They both complain about not being by Eli’s side as much lately. I agree with them somewhat. If they’re his seconds and mostly in charge of his security, shouldn’t he be more wary about being alone with me? Especially when I could turn on him at any moment. But he doesn’t seem particularly worried about that.

He discusses business with one of his father’s men, but it’s nothing I can use against him. And then he’s silent for the rest of the drive. I notice the way he keeps glancing at the ring on myfinger. It is a beautiful ring, not something I would’ve chosen for myself, but it’s part of the act, I suppose.

When he pulls up at the bridal store, he stops me from undoing the seat belt. He seems… nervous isn’t the right word. Eli is someone who could never be nervous.

“You don’t like the ring, do you?” he asks.

My gaze narrows on him. “I don’t hate it or love it. I’d rather not have to wear it.”

His jaw works back and forth as he pulls out a small box.

“You collecting rings now?” I ask sarcastically.

“No, this is my mother’s. She asked me if she could give it to you. When you didn’t wear your ring to the dinner party, she assumed it was because you were too nice to say you didn’t like it.”

“Wait. Why do you even care if I like the ring?” I ask, confused. It’s a fake engagement and a fake wedding.

“Because it would look bad on me if I weren’t pleasing my wife,” he says, opening the box. The smart-ass remark remains on my tongue as the sight of the ring takes my breath away.

It’s simple and elegant. I like it more than the showy one he gave me. It’s not so big that it’s going to scratch and bang into everything.

He takes my hand and slowly removes the first ring. Then, with ease, he slips the new ring on. It’s a better fit. Not that I’d admit it to him and not that I should feel a certain way about the replacement.

“You’re not pulling it off. I assume you like it better?”

“Why did your mother give me this?” I ask, studying it closer. It’s a pink square-cut diamond with a few smaller diamonds embedded around the band.

“It’s not her engagement ring or anything,” Eli explains, placing the much larger ring in the box. “But it has sentimentalmeaning to her. I suggested I buy you another ring, but she was adamant you have this one, which might be more to your liking.”

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