Page 17 of Twisted Games of Revenge

“Vivian’s new in town. An aspiring artist and my latest project,” she proudly informs him with a giggle. Jesus, I feel likeI should be calling her a cab, but this is her place. I wonder where her husband is and if he’s aware of how trashed she is.

“I’m sure under your guidance she will do very well indeed. Nice to meet you, Vivian.”

I take my hand back, studying him. If this is the police commissioner, then I get why this city is so fucked up. Everything would go back to him. He’s the reason girls are going missing off our streets never to be seen again, and monsters like Enzo, and that cop that I killed in the alley behind Sloane’s club, get away with all the slimy shit they do.

“When did you mention the next auction is?” he questions Valentina, his eerie gaze making me feel extremely uncomfortable. He’s looking at me like I’m a piece of fucking meat.

Valentina gently loops her arm through mine. “End of the month, you will be first to know what’s on offer.” Her smile is demure, but I know there is a slyness behind it, one I don’t like. She moves us away from him.

Leaning in, I bring my head closer to hers. “The police commissioner has a keen interest in fashion?” I ask her, knowing how vapid I sound, but I want clarification as to what exactly is going down at this next auction. Because I’m getting the distinct impression it’s not the gowns on sale.

“The police commissioner is interested in a lot of things that happen in this town.” She continues walking with me, and I feel like my heart is going to stop when I see who she’s directing me toward. He’s the reason I’m here, but there is no part of me that wants to be close to him. “Enzo, this is a new friend of mine, Vivian.” Valentina presents me to him like I’m some fucking prized peach, pushing me forward so hard I nearly stumble in my stupidly high heels.

His eyes lazily roam down my slinky black dress, glittering under the fairy lights, eating up every inch of me. I swallow thebile threatening to rise and plaster on a playful smile, holding out a hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Moretti.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” the messed-up motherfucker hums, making me feel instantly violent. “Please, call me Enzo.”

I want to strike out at him, slip my knife from where it’s strapped to my leg and plunge it deep into his chest or neck, wherever I can inflict the most damage. Repeatedly, until the hurt he’s caused me and all the people I care about is gone. I bite the inside of my mouth until I taste blood, trying to keep my hands under control.

“Vivian has just started working over at The Raven’s Nest, she’s an aspiring artist,” his wife waffles on, telling the same story she has all night.

He nods along, interested by his wife’s chatter for once. “Is she? You will have to show me some of your work; my wife here runs a charity helping young people just like yourself get a kickstart in life.”

“She was telling me all about it just last night at your casino. Sounds incredible.” I smile sweetly. There is nothing more these two like more than talking about themselves and how incredible they are. Also, not his fucking casino anymore, but Valentina still insists it’s hers, so I might as well play along for the fun of it.

His smile broadens. “Valentina has helped countless young women achieve their potential. It’s satisfying and very rewarding for us both.”

“I’m sure it is.” I have to hide the bitterness and sarcasm that wants to drip off my words. They preach about helping these young women like they are saints, but I know the truth. I bet Sloane is vomiting in her mouth hearing all this shit. I know I want to.

Alessandro strides by, ignoring his parents completely, a carefree smirk on his face. He’s abandoned the girl he was talking to only moments before, his gaze already searching for anew target, a predator surveying his prey. I can’t help but stare after him, my eyes glued to his retreating form. Why does he have to be so dammed attractive. I can see why women make such a fuss around him. With his ruggedly handsome features and a hint of danger in his eyes, they likely believe they can reform him. They can’t.

“I thought Vivian might be a model for the fashion auction at the end of the month,” his mother suggests, snapping me out of my Alessandro trance.

“What? No, I wouldn’t know the first thing about how to model one of those beautiful gowns,” I splutter, trying to get out of whatever she is suggesting.

Her arm comes to mine, giving it a squeeze. “So modest, Vivian. There wouldn’t be a man on this lawn who wouldn’t enjoy watching you take the stage in a beautiful dress.”

Enzo’s gaze travels down my body once more, making me feel nauseous. “Tell me a little about yourself, where are you from, girl?”

I blink back at him, momentarily lost for words. I know my back story, but I can’t seem to spit it out. His presence is so intimidating. “I… I spent my childhood in a quaint coastal town near Savanah, but now there’s little left to hold me there. Came to Ravens Hollow for a fresh start, you know. Luckily, I met Sloane right away, and she not only offered me a job but also a place to stay until I could get back on my feet.”

“Sloane Stryker.” He raises a brow, and I can see there is no love between them. “You take me as the kind of girl who always lands on her feet.”

I shrug. “I guess.”

“Any family back home?” he asks.

“Sadly no.” I sniff as if I’m thinking about them. “Sorry, I can’t talk about my family, it’s still too hard.”

His eyes twinkle with delight, and I know I have him. He thinks I’m a single girl out here in a new city all alone, who’s picked up a job with a known gang member to save her broke ass. Just the kind of girl he likes to offer work to. Single, alone, desperate. And no one would miss me if I just disappeared. It breaks my heart to think about the real girls he normally targets. A constant stream of people would seek him out, their hopes high, believing in his genuine compassion, when the truth is very different.

I find myself looking past him, drawn to the sight of a brunette’s hand on Alessandro’s arm as she laughs playfully. Irritation crawls under my skin. What the hell is he playing at? Is he already on the prowl for some new girl to control? Asshole. Was everything I thought I knew about him a big fat lie, including what we had?

“My son, Alessandro, he’s hard to miss, isn’t he?” Enzo says, nodding to his wife, as if the two of them are proud of him. I realize I let my eyes linger a little longer than I should have on him.

“Your son.” I nod, trying not to look guilty as hell, and right as I do, Alessandro’s eyes rise over the girl he is chatting to and come to me with fresh interest. I feel my cheeks heat instantly. His lips twitch upward, forming a sly smirk, and I can’t tell if it’s directed at me or his parents, both standing nearby.

“Vivian, how would you like to make a little extra money while you’re in town?” Enzo offers, his voice low.

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