Page 54 of Twisted Games of Revenge

I feel my face redden to a deep crimson. He wants his papa to assume I’m sleeping with them all.

“Dinner with the whole family then,” Enzo says, pleased by his comment but in a way that makes me feel cheap and nasty.

I force a smile through my embarrassment, just wanting to get the hell out of here. “Sounds wonderful.” It’s not like I didn’t already have this awkward conversation with Enzo about Alessandro wanting to share his partners, but with the mayor standing right here as well, it’s mortifying. Being okay with whatme and the boys are doing behind closed doors is very different to openly discussing it in public. Fuck, please earth, swallow me up.

Lucky the server has good timing and brings our takeout coffees back to the table. I happily take mine, desperate to get out of here.

Enzo kisses my cheek then heads out in the direction of his car. They exchange a couple more words, then just like last time, Mayor Chambly walks up the street in the opposite direction to where Enzo was parked, coffee in hand.

“You want to take a walk with me?” I ask Alessandro, wanting to see firsthand if my plan has worked or not.

Alessandro takes my hand, and we stroll down the opposite side of the street all snuggled up together. To any onlooker we seem like a loved-up couple. “Your papa creeps me the fuck out. What father is so excited for his sons to share a girl?”

“One who grew up in the seedy underworld of Ravens Hollow. This shit is normal to him. Just like whatever fucked-up scenario is waiting for the mayor back at his private club.”

“From what his wife said, he has an insatiable appetite, one she could never keep up with. And that’s why he gets his fix down at Enzo’s private club.”

“He’s into dark shit, Viv. That’s why his wife lets him see escorts, she can’t handle him. Most of the women he sees won’t see him after the first time.”

“Why?” I ask, already knowing I don’t want the answer.

“He’s known for taking it too far. Enzo covers up for him. And Chambly covers up whatever Enzo needs him to. It’s been a win-win arrangement for years.”

“Except for the poor girl who get hurt in the process,” I say, disgusted.

“Everyone has their own kinks, that’s why places like Enzo’s club exist. I’m not saying I agree with it, but it’s why it’s stillthere after all these years. Some kinks are more harmful than others.”

“Enzo’s running this shit show, and it’s me he’s trying to shame for what I’m doing with you boys.”

“Don’t let him get to you. So what if you go weak for us boys all at once. I wouldn’t be ashamed of it, princess. Own the power you have over us, it should be empowering.”

“Pfft. Power I have over you? I don’t think so.”

“Four incredibly influential men are completely smitten with you. That’s true control.”

I return his smile, a warmth spreading through me. Not sure how what he just said made me feel so special, but it did. All this time I thought they were controlling me or at least trying to. But it’s been me who has something over them. They all need me. That’s crazy to think about. “I never thought of it like that.”

“It’s the truth.”

Every so often I glance across the street, waiting for the mayor to take a sip from his cup, but nothing yet. And then right before he descends the very same alleyway behind the florist, he lifts the cup to his mouth and slurps the delicious coffee down.

I stop dead and watch. Alessandro waits as well, even though he has no idea what is going on.

The mayor rounds the corner, then clutches his throat as he stumbles forward. The contents of the coffee spill out all over the street as he goes down hard, hitting the pavement.

Alessandro clutches my hand and pulls me across the street with him. “What the fuck did you do, princess?” His lips turn up in a cruel smirk.

I roll my lips as we make it to the pathetic man now turning blue in front of us. “It seems as though the mayor got my coffee and me his. It’s funny now that I think about it. I do recall Connie saying something about a nut allergy yesterday at high tea. Oops.”

Alessandro chuckles darkly, amused by my sarcasm.

Ricky appears beside me, a sly, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he kisses me.

“You were in on this?” Alex asks him.

“Get my EpiPen,” the mayor wheezes clutching his chest, desperately trying to reach the pen in his pocket. It falls free. “Help me.” He looks up at the three of us as if we might save him.

Alex kicks the pen out of arm’s reach then turns back to me, his hands roaming down my body, landing on my ass, where he squeezes. “You’re an evil genius, princess. I think I just fell for you even more.”

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