Page 14 of Heartless Game

I froze a step from the elevator.

Could Kaufman be her maiden name? Was Tovahmarried?

The red haze that had only just cleared reappeared in front of my eyes. It took every bit of willpower I had to keep myself from storming back into Sebastian’s apartment and demanding more answers.

I didn’t recognize myself.

Iwasn’tviolent.

Iwasn’truthless.

Iwasn’tthe man my father so badly wanted me to be.

I solved my issues rationally, peacefully. I was the mediator, not the instigator.

I’d managed to keep the monster inside locked away tight.

Until now.

Until TovahLewis. Whoever she was, whatever reason she had for pretending to have a different last name, she was like the trigger for the sleeper agent inside me. If I was wise, I’d stay far away from her.

The elevator was waiting for me when I pressed the button to call it, doors sliding open. I walked inside, leaning against its cool, metal wall as it descended to the ground floor and ejected me from this hell I’d volunteered for. This, here, was why I couldn’t have Tovah. Or anyone. Feelings and passion like this turned men into monsters. I’d seen it happen with my father after my mother was murdered; and with countless other men like him when there was a woman involved. Not only did I know that bringing someone into my world meant death for them, but it would also mean death for me as well—the death of the man I’d always promised myself I would be.

No, I needed to stay as far away from the little snoop as possible.

Too bad she called to me like a siren to a sailor—right before he crashed his ship on the rocks.

I already had my phone out when I reached the ground floor, googling “Tovah Lewis.”

There were a bunch of entries, but all of them were for much older women.

It was like she didn’t exist.

Without hesitating, I texted my sister Liza.

I need you to get some information for me.

She responded immediately.

Dad said you won’t return his calls. He wants you home for Shabbat dinner soon.

I couldn’t even respond to that right now. I had no interest in seeing my father or hearing what he had to say, what new Faustian deal he had ready for me. I’d already agreed to oversee the distribution of Vice and Vixen with Jack, knowing it could jeopardize our entire team’s futures. What was next, performance enhancing drugs? No fucking way. I was staying as far away from Brooklyn and the Silvers as I could, until I got dragged back to take up a role I dreaded.

I could feel that figurative noose growing tighter.

I don’t want to talk about dad. Can you help me get this info or not?

I’d clearly piqued her interest, because she responded.

What do you need?

To find out whoever Tovah Lewis is.

On it. Is this some girl you’re dating?

I snorted to myself as I walked out of the building and toward my car. I didn’t want to date Tovah. I wanted to return to a time when I didn’t even know she existed. Barring that, I wanted her on her knees in front of me, tears dragging makeup down her face as I shoved my cock so deep down her throat she couldn’t breathe. Or on her hands and knees as I fucked her so deep, the little snoop forgot what it felt like when I wasn’t inside her.

My silence clearly had answered the question for my sister, because she sent back.

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