Page 45 of King

“I’m not. I didn’t even reply.” She says defensively. “I don’t even know how he knows I’m here.”

“I find that hard to believe. You have his number saved on your phone. He knows your name. He even made reference to the fact that you’ve spoken to him in the past. Don’t fucking lie to me Zina, it won’t go well go you.”

I stand up, agitated and confrontational.

She shakes her head and grabs her phone back in frustration, taking a step away from me.

“Why can’t you ever assume the best of me instead of the worst. Why in the world would I have shown you the message if I was trying to hide it from you?” She snaps.

“To feign innocence.” My eyes are locked onto her, watching her, every movement, every change in her expression.

“Explain how you know him.” I demand.

“I don’t actually know him. I’ve spoken to him once in the past. He approached me almost a year ago.”

“A year ago - alright - and what happened?”

“He told me he could help me. That he would give my son and me the life we deserve. He gave me his number and told me to call him.”

“And?”

“And I turned him down. Why would I believe him when I don’t even know him? He offered me money - and I turned that down too. I never called him.”

What she’s saying doesn’t add up. Why is my enemy talking to her? Why is she involved with him in any way?

I can’t push away the suspicion that she’s not telling me everything.

“Who is he?” She asks, her eyes narrowed towards me. “Why are you so angry that he’s offered to help me?”

“I think you already know who he is, Zina - that he’s my biggest rival in the mafia.”

Her lips part as though she’s shocked.

“I know he’s someone wealthy and powerful - but I didn’t knowthat.” She’s nervous now, knotting her brows and fidgeting with her phone. “Gio, please, you have to believe me. I have no involvement with him.”

Her discomfort piques my desire as I step closer to her.

“And why should I trust you?” I ask dangerously.

She looks up at me, her brown eyes flaked with gold, wide and pleading.

My eyes drift over her body, the short nightie, barely covering her ass.

My breathing gets heavier as I press closer against her.

My cock begins to stir, and she feels it, her lips pressing together.

“Gio.” She murmurs, barely a whisper.

“Do you know what will happen to you if I find out you’ve been lying to me?” I ask with a dangerous edge to my voice.

My cock grows harder as I imagine the ways I would punish her.

She takes a sharp breath, her lips parting.

I lean close, wrapping my hand around her jaw. My lips hover just inches away from hers.

She lets out a soft moan.

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