Page 110 of Inferno

The fact she vanished without a trace. I’ll never know the truth. Why did she try to frame me? Why did she hunt me out in Italy?

Was that night as real for her as it was for me?

Sighing, I reach for the bottle of whiskey, its smooth glass cool against my fingers.

Burn away the pain. The embarrassment.

Since that day, I became as cold as ice, numb from my father’s death. I’m every bit the angry mafia boss Enzo wanted me to be.

I fill my days with distraction. And the Decadence games are perfect for that.

My gut tells me she’s still out there somewhere. Probably laughing that she got one over on me.

I wonder if she still thinks about me?

If I haunt her nightmares like she does mine.

“You okay, boss?”

I crack my knuckles and stretch my neck. Fuck, I’m tense.

Pouring out a generous second serving, I toss it back and stand.

“Yeah. I’m heading off to get some rest. Big day tomorrow.”

Chapter 37

CHARLOTTE

Ipull up the lace panties, feeling the soft fabric against my skin.

“The fuck?” I hiss.

Crotchless thong.

Grabbing the leather straps, I stand in front of the full-length mirror in front of the bed.

I spin to look at my ass.

She’s good. All the squats pay off.

Holding up the contraption in front of me, I play around with it, trying to figure out which bit goes where.

It looks too small. I frown, staring at all the gold buckles.

I get to work undoing one side and step into it. As I pull it up, it gets stuck on my thighs.

“Jesus.”

Taking it off, I try again. I can feel my anger sizzling as my face reddens with frustration.

On the second attempt, it’s still not right.

This time, I rip it off and let out a scream as I throw it against the wall.

This is step one, and I’m already showing my weakness.

Taking a few deep breaths, I walk over and pick it up.

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