Page 62 of Twisted Games of Revenge

“He wants me to get Alex to run for mayor.”

He bursts out laughing, but I can see by Sloane’s expression, she knows this is serious.

I slap him across the chest. “I wish I was kidding. What the fuck am I going to do?”

“Good luck with that shit show, sis. I knew I should have gotten my walls sound-proofed when I found out you boys were moving in.” Her smirk is filled with sass, but she knows the gravity of this situation. We both know what happened to Pia for not following Enzos orders. I need more time. “Don’t worry about this place, we have you covered. I knew it wouldn’t lastforever, and something tells me you’re going to need every spare second you can get to rid this planet of the filthiest scum of all.”

Chapter 26

Geovani and I walkthrough the bottom floor of the Flamingo Hotel, the sounds of chatter and clinking glasses following us as we searched for the boys. Uncomfortable and wondering if he’s seeing what I am, I glance back at Geovani, feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes on me, a blush creeping up my face. “Why is everyone staring at me?”

“They know who you are,” he mutters.

The buff guard manning the partition rope to the second floor lets us by, and nervously, I climb the stairs. I have no idea how I’m supposed to bring up Alessandro running for mayor; the thought alone makes my stomach churn. When we make it to the top, Geovani’s arm comes around me, and he shoves me back into the shadows quickly.

“Your brother’s here,” he growls through clenched teeth.

My heart kicks up a beat. I have already had to deal with too much drama today. I’m not ready for a run in with him as well. It feels like a lifetime since I saw him last. Part of me wants to run to him and throw my arms around him, beg for his forgiveness.The other part knows it’s more complicated than that. “What? I thought he was hiding out at your place. Isn’t it dangerous for him to be out on the town?”

“Probably,” he responds, but his eyes don’t meet mine. He’s stuck in stalker mode, watching my brother talk to Alex.

The two of us stay hidden in the shadows of the stairwell, just watching Marco and Alessandro talking. “Does he know Alex is getting married?” I ask after it’s been some time.

“Everyone in the city knows.”

I wonder what he makes of that. Alex was supposed to love Harley. I’m sure my brother doesn’t think much of his so-called friend moving on so quickly to some other girl. But as I watch the two of them interacting, I don’t see any animosity between them. Marco chuckles at something Alex says, then Alex slaps him on the back and the two of them go their separate ways. “Oh, shit, he’s coming right toward us.”

Geovani acts quickly, shoving me up against the wall and locking his lips with mine, knocking me off guard.

But I go with it, kissing him back until I can see Marco has passed us. Then I pull away. “Geo, what the fuck. You just said everyone here knows who I am. And who I’m marrying.”

“No one saw us except for your brother, and he had no idea who either of us were. You’re welcome,” he mutters, indicating I should follow him up the last stair and into the mezzanine level of the club because he somehow just saved my ass.

“Is something going on with you and Marco?” I ask, looking him over. Last I heard they were working together, but his expression isn’t betraying their closeness.

“Nope, just didn’t want him to see you.” The way he answers me makes me feel uneasy. “If anyone would pick that it was you, it’ll be him.”

I guess I was the one who asked him to keep my secret. Maybe my unease is knowing I’m lying to my brother. Guilt eats at me. Ishould tell him, but something is stopping me. Dani maybe? Or it could just be that this way is easier, less judgment from my last remaining family member. If he knew what I was up to, he would stop me for sure. And I can’t have that.

We stop walking when we make it to a table in the center of the room not far from the main dancing stage. Maddox has his feet up, a smoke in hand, though from the smell of it, it’s not just a cigarette. His eyes move slowly over me, something in his intense gaze, a mixture of mischief and something deeper, making my cheeks flush with heat.

Ricky doesn’t wait for an invitation as soon as he works out I’m here. He stands, rushing toward me and pulling me in for a heated kiss. He dips me, shoving his tongue in my mouth before I have time to process what’s going on.

I shove him off me. “Ricky,” I chastise him. “We’re in public.” He smirks toward me then kisses me again just to prove a point. I’m not sure what point, maybe that he doesn’t give shit, but it’s hot and I can’t help but kiss him back this time.

When he’s done manhandling me in the center of their club, he lets his hands slide down my body, landing on my waist. “Stop worrying so much what other people are thinking, baby doll. Remember we own this place.” He drapes an arm around me. “What can I get you to drink?”

I stare back at him, not convinced. Just because they own this place doesn’t mean people won’t be talking about us. And I for one don’t want the added attention.

From across the room, Alessandro spots me and immediately leaves the party of four men he was talking with and walks my way. “What are you doing here, princess?” he asks happily as he moves toward us, wrapping his arms around me before pulling me into him for a kiss. I feel like a local celebrity with all the attention I’m getting, but I guess I did tell them all I wouldn’tsee them tonight because of my work. And now I’m here right in front of them.

I stare up at him, my fingers tangling in the soft cotton of his shirt. “We need to talk, is there somewhere private? Maybe your office.” I have no idea what his reaction is going to be, and I know right here with all these people around is a bad idea.

He looks over his shoulder and up toward his office. “I have a better idea.” He takes my hand and leads me away from the others.

“You better bring her back, brother,” Ricky calls to us playfully.

Having crossed the mezzanine, the sounds of the party fading behind us, we find ourselves in a long corridor. When he comes to a door, he flashes a card of some sort, and the door opens. I follow him inside, wondering where he’s taken me. He shuts the door and flicks on the light, illuminating the space before us.

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