Page 62 of Savage Daddies

“I beg your pardon?”

“This.” I flick my finger in the space between us both. “Our marriage.”

Another cackle exits his lips. “Do you think this is funny?”

“No, but clearly you do.”

SLAP!

Right across the cheek.

I don’t even have time to inhale my next breath.

Wincing, I raise a careful hand to my cheek and pat the area. It stings, and pain sizzles through me so much it feels like a burn. A tear forms in the corner of my eye, so I dip my head and pad it away before it falls.

Never show weakness. Not in the presence of the most powerful man in Nevada.

“People are already asking questions about the photo. Close your mouth for a moment andthinkhow detrimental a divorce would be for my career. Are you that selfish? You want to embarrass me even more? Is that what you’re trying to do?”

“What? No, I’m?—”

“A divorce would just confirm rumors that are already circling—that you’ve fallen in love elsewhere. That doesn’t paint me in a very good light, does it?”

And that pretty much sums up Felix Fernando. All he cares about is being the best. He wears the best clothes, drives the best cars and, to the general public’s knowledge, beds the best girl.

Finally, I understand what it’s like to be him. Beneath the hard exterior is a scared little boy worried about scoring last again. He prides himself on success, that’s it. He’s nothing without it.

And he’s relying on me.

Which means I can use this to my advantage.

Feeling more confident, I look into his eyes and feel a smile heat up my cheeks. Shame doesn’t redden them anymore.

“You will tell nobody that Sammy is theirs,” Felix says. He straightens his spine and nets his fingers like he’s preparing to conclude this meeting.

Thank god. I’m spitting feathers here.

“This is your final warning. If I hear that you have been slutting around with those bikers again or anyone else, you’ll be setting flowers on your baby sister’s grave.”

14

POET

The sun risesbetween two distant mountains. I rise from bed, perform a quick stretch, and cover two slices of toast with peanut butter to begin the day.

Desert Shores is a neighborhood like no other. A lake pools in the center of it that reflects sunlight as it rises and sets. Today, gradients of orange, pink, and yellow fill the lake, but peace doesn’t wind through me when I open the back door to admire it today. There’s a heaviness to my chest that day by day continues to increase in weight, and the need to unshackle her from Felix’s chains grows more pressing as my feelings for her deepen.

Our time with her in the casino bathroom two nights ago restored peace to my chest, but only temporarily. As soon as we exited those doors, the heaviness creeped back.

This morning, my chest thuds.

Wrangler stumbled upon vital information yesterday that revealed all about Zoe’s circumstances. Of course it was a contracted marriage. One that benefited all parties excepther.

One good thing has come out of this situation—we’ve been tasked with a good mission. Investigating Paul directly brings us closer to Zoe.

We just gotta break Paul and peel back layers that will expose Felix’s dark truth. Because there has to be one. A guy this rich has to be hiding something, and Paul has answers.

I lock up and hop on my Harley to head toward Cash Pot Palace. At this point, they might as well hand me a loyalty card. This is my third consecutive day entering.

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