Page 40 of Sin & Secrets

Natural light pours in from the windows as we walk the corridor, and I catch a glance of myself in a large ornate mirror hanging from the wall.

Despite my hair still drying down my back, I’m surprised to see that Donatella is at least a little bit right. The dark circles I’d become so used to seeing beneath my eyes have subsided, and my outfit seems surprisingly coordinated against my olive skin.

I follow behind Donatella with a small smile as she shows me through the doors that flank us on both sides.

Everything about this house feels regal, though it rarely breaches gaudy or impractical. The gym is perhaps the most impressive room in the house. I haven’t been able to afford a membership since I moved here, so I take in the expensive equipment with interest.

“When I arrived,” I say after Donatella finishes showing me around the extensive kitchen, “I had a leather jacket. My phone was in my pocket.”

Donatella pushes through another door. “Your jacket is hanging in the closet in your room. I believe Mister Moretti has your phone.”

We find ourselves standing on the second level, at the top of a set of princess staircases that lead down to the main foyer.

I turn back to her. “Will I ever get it back?”

“Mr. Moretti will be back soon,” she replies, not really answering the question.

My shoulders slump. “Let me guess, he wants to control how and when I use my phone. Like he’s done with everything else.”

Donatella opens her mouth to speak but seems to freeze up suddenly.

“I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t use that tone with my staff, Miss Cassandra.”

I whirl around in alarm to find Rocco standing below us by the front door.

That crooked smile flashes despite the fact that his shirt is covered in blood.

11

ROCCO

Icould absolutely get used to coming home to that face, even if her expression is a delightful combination of alarm and disgust.

“Are…are you…” Cas seems to choke on the question as she stares at my chest.

I glance down. Ah.

Rubio’s underling had needed a little more convincing than I’d anticipated. A shame, really. I quite liked this shirt. “If it’s any consolation, the blood is not mine.”

Her face immediately hardens. “Monster.”

My carefree expression masks the jolt of pain at her words. In the cold light of day, there is no way I can hide my true nature from her anymore, and it’s clear she isn’t pleased with what she’s found.

Instead of addressing her, I turn to Donatella. “Set the table for two tonight. I would like Cassandra to join me for dinner.”

“Absolutely not.”

I raise an eyebrow at her. “Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear. Youwilljoin me for dinner.”

Something about my tone seems to infuriate her. Fire dances behind her eyes as she dips low into a curtsy, her pale shirt doing nothing to conceal her dark underwear beneath.

“My apologies, sir, I forgot my place! Would you like me to present myself entirely naked, or would you like the honor of unwrapping me yourself?”

Despite the sarcasm leeching through every word, my cock twitches at the thought.

“Donatella, please remind Cassandra that she is my guest, not a commodity?” I shoot Cas a warning look as I ascend the staircase toward them. “Despite what she might be so eager to think.”

“It’s hard not to think such things when that’s all you seemed to care about when you traded me for my boyfriend’s debt.”

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