Page 78 of Dance of Deception

Her nails press harder into her thighs.

“It’s justsex, little dancer.”

I drag a hand up her spine, feeling the way she shudders. I brush my lips against her ear, speaking so quietly only she can hear.

“Look at them,” I say again.

She still doesn’t move.

I let out a slow sigh, then reach up and grip her jaw, turning her face toward the couple in the corner, forcing her to watch.

She gasps sharply, trying to twist away. “Stop it.Stop it.”

Her voice is low, panicked.

“Watch them,” I command, voice calm but edged with steel. “Or else tell me why youcan’t.”

She shakes her head, struggling in my grip.

“Carmine,” she breathes, “please.”

Her fingers tighten on my wrist, but she’s not pushing me away anymore. She’s losing this fight, and she knows it. I can feel it in the way her body starts to tremble.

“Please,” she blurts. “Please, I don’t…I…”

Her breath stutters.

Her body sways.

Her hands suddenly lose their grip on my wrist.

Her head lolls slightly, her breath coming in short gasps.

And then, before I even have time to process it, she slumps against my chest.

“Lyra.”

No response. Her body is limp in my arms, her breath uneven, shallow.

I swear quietly, holding her more securely against me. What the fuck just happened?

This wasn’t fear, or her playing a game. This was real.

And I wasn’t expecting it.

I glance down at her, at the slight tremor in her fingers, at the way her face is drained of all color.

And for the first time in a long time, I feel something unfamiliar twist in my chest that I don’t like.

Because it feels too close to concern.

14

LYRA

I wake up gasping.

My body jolts, my heart pounding so violently it shakes my ribs.

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