Page 19 of Twisted Games of Revenge

“You remember me?” I smile softly. Fuck, I’m flirting with him.

“A smile like that you don’t forget.” He grins at me, and I melt into him further. He knows exactly what to say, but it doesn’t come off as cheesy, it feels genuine. When the song comes to an end, his mouth drops to my ear. “You’re leaving here with me tonight, Vivian.” His hot breath sends goosebumps over myskin, making my insides clench with anticipation and my panties instantly wet.

I smile back at him, job done. His papa will be pleased with me. One dance and the most eligible bachelor here is seduced.

“Give my parents a wave.” His breath tickles my ear.

“Now?” I whisper. “I only just got here.”

“We can hang around if you like, but I have been to many of these events, and I will tell you how they go. My mother will drink too much wine, my papa will act as though he owns the world, having every person who approaches him bow down and kiss his feet, and I will be talking with an endless line of women they throw at me, trying not to come across as bored and uninterested like I feel.”

I glance up at him. “Oh. That doesn’t sound like fun at all. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Sometimes they get it right.” He takes a silky strand of my hair, running it through his fingers, fascinated. He’s really into me. The thought is horrifying as much as it makes my panties wet. I know I have to run with it. I want Enzo to believe I’m on his side, and this is exactly what he wanted me to do. Leave with Alessandro, get close to him, and bring him any information I can.

“What’s it going to be, Vivian?” His hand slides down a little lower so it’s just teetering on my ass.

I swallow the lump in my throat, not even sure how this is going to work when we get out of here. I can’t sleep with him. He knows my body way too well, and I just know he will figure it out. I’m also acutely aware of the fact Sloane can hear every word the two of us say.

He smiles at me, all charming, and memories come flooding back of when I first met him. Alessandro is a man who knows how to get what he wants. He knows I’m leaving here with him.

“Lead the way.” I smirk back with more confidence than I feel. Because I know there is only one way to get what I want and that’s by being Enzo’s spy, and if I have to keep up this ruse to make it happen, then so be it.

Chapter 8

Alessandro takes my handand leads me back through his parents’ estate, my heart in my throat. His car is brought around the turn circle, and like the charming gentleman he pretends to be, he opens the back door for me, closing it again when I’m safely inside. Then he moves around the car and joins me in the back.

His gaze, heady with desire, roams over me, making me blush under his constant attention. Something stupid and romantic inside of me is excited by the idea of being with him again. Feeling his body pressed to mine without all the hate that has been swirling between us lately. My hidden identity gives us a clean slate. I try desperately not to think of the jealousy building inside of me at the thought he’s so happy to just go off with any girl. And more, the chemistry that still exists, even if he doesn’t know who I really am.

Briefly I glance out the window, seeing the stately properties and mansions turning into city streets. I had assumed he wouldtake me back to his place, but we’re heading in the opposite direction. “Where are you taking me?”

He collects my hand and presses it to his lips. “I recently took over Sinners’ Paradise. Thought we could go there for a drink if you’re up for it?”

There is a challenge in his eyes. He wants me to tell him this is what I want. “That sounds like fun. I was there last night with a few friends. That’s how I met your mother.”

“She does like to spend her time there making new friends. When she’s not throwing lavish parties with the city’s rich and infamous,” he agrees.

I tilt my head, looking him over, wondering if he will be more honest with Vivian than he was with Harley. “The work she does for charity is very noble. You must be so proud of both your parents for all they do for this community.”

His eyebrow arches in skepticism. “My mother likes to keep herself busy. Don’t let her fool you, she gets as much out of it as the girls she helps,” he answers cryptically.

I nod, wondering how much he really knows about what his mother does behind the scenes. “She showed me the designer gowns that have been donated for her next auction. She was very generous with her time and even offered to help me make a start on the business I’m planning on setting up once I’m more settled in Ravens Hollow. She’s an amazing woman.”

“She’s something, that’s for sure.”

We pull into the turn circle of the casino, and our driver brings the car to a stop. Nervous butterflies take flight throughout my body. Am I really going to go through with this?

Alessandro opens my door and holds his hand out to me, his smile reaching all the way to his eyes, their dark brown glinting with mischief in the bright lights. It’s a smile that I can’t help but return. In his company, I feel completely at ease and relaxed. There is just something about him like this.

We walk through the front doors with his arm wrapped around my shoulder like it’s supposed to be there, and for once, I welcome the contact. “Will we go to the bar?” I ask, wondering what exactly he has in mind for the rest of this evening.

He keeps walking with me past the bar and to an elevator in the back, pressing the button to take us up to the penthouse. “I can drink in my bar any night; I want you all to myself tonight, Vivian.”

I stop before entering, not sure about all this. He’s moving too fast for me, and I need more time to work out what to do. “I’m sorry, Alessandro, I’m not going straight up to a hotel room with you. I just met you.”

He takes my hand, kissing the back of my fingers. “Vivian, forgive me. Let’s have a quiet drink first,” he says with way too much charm.

I blink back at him from under my long lashes, blushing from the way he looks at me. He didn’t expect me to challenge him, but he likes that I did. I assume most girls would just jump at the chance to leave a party and be whisked off to a fancy hotel room for a quick fuck with the big boss himself. Not me, even though I am supposed to be seducing him. I want to know exactly what I’m working with here.

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