Page 61 of The Cost of Corruption

Chapter Sixteen

CHASTITY

“Come here, Chastity.”

Matteo’s rumbling murmur floated across his bedroom before wrapping around me like a snake. The sound was hypnotic, almost impossible to ignore, and, just like any other viper, far too dangerous to handle.

Since the moment I’d said goodbye to my cousin at the club, I’d been doing my best to avoid contact with any part of him. His eyes, his hands, his voice—from this point on, every part of Matteo needed to be treated like the deadly temptation it was.

Because if I gave in and fell into the trap of desire he was setting, I feared I wouldn’t be able to do what had to be done. I wouldn’t be able to walk away.

No—not walk.Run.

Hell, if I’d been thinking clearly, I should have bolted for the front door the second I’d left that bathroom and never looked back. If I’d done that, I could have been halfway to the convent already.

And Matteo and the rest of his family would be safe.

But I couldn’t do it.

The second I looked over at the VIP section from the edge of the dance floor, my mind had started making up all sorts of reasons I could stay just one more night.

I needed money for the train ticket.

I needed a change of clothes.

I needed…him.

Just one more night sleeping in Matteo’s arms. Somehow, I convinced myself that if I could just have that, then I would be able to handle whatever came after—the years of loneliness, the solitude, the ache in the center of my chest as my heart broke a little more each day.

I didn’t know how I was going to do it. All I knew was there was no other option.

If Matteo was going to live, then I had to leave. It was as simple as that.

“Don’t make me wait, Chastity.”

Damn, I was going to miss the thrill that rushed through me every time he said my name. There was nothing like it.

“I’m not feeling patient tonight,” he said.

“Sorry.” I cursed myself for my weakness as the sensual nature of his words stoked my inner fire to life one last time. “I’m just having trouble taking the dress off.”

It was a feeble excuse, especially since I hadn’t even reached for the zipper since we’d shut the bedroom door.

But Matteo didn’t call me out. He did something worse. Dropping his vice down even lower as he beckoned me again.

“Come here, and I’ll take it off for you.”

I bit my lip, both excited by and dreading what came next.

God, I wanted him so bad—just like I always did.

Just like I always had and would.

But on the other side of that desire was the horrible knowledge that this was the last time I’d feel him like this. That once it was done, it was over.

There would be no more nights spent shaking in pleasure. No more days anticipating the rapture to come.

“I’m sure I can get it,” I tried, still not making a move to slip the dress from my body.

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