Page 63 of Kissing the Villain

“Hey, girl.” She squealed on the third ring. “I was hoping I would hear from you. Are we still on for lunch this week?”

“Of course,” I muttered. “I can’t wait to get out of this house.”

“Ha! I bet. Is Luca treating you any better?”

I hesitated, wondering how much information I should offer a stranger. “Depends on your definition ofbetter. That’s a relative term with Luca.”

“I feel ya, girl.” Her laughter assaulted my eardrum. “I’ll pick you up at work. We can talk more then.”

Knowing Luca, he was probably recording our phone call.

“Sure,” I agreed. “I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

“Yep. Later, girl.”

Marcello escortedme to the main dining room. The last time I stepped into this room, Aiden was at my side, dressed like an adult for once. He looked so handsome, like the heir to billions, even though he wanted none of our family’s wealth.

My chest ached from the memory… and the loss. I had to find him. Not knowing was the hardest part.

Arlo sat at the head of the table, Luca on his right. Bastian and Damian were next to Luca, leaving the left side for Marcello and me. I wore a black V-neck rosette dress that hugged my curves. The fabric stressed my breasts and ass, a slit running down my right thigh.

Luca couldn’t take his eyes off me.

Arlo extended his hand to the vacant chair at his side. “Sit here, Alexandrea.”

Marcello pushed my chair into the table, then took his place on my left. He didn’t utter a single word to anyone, his expressionless mask in place. Around his family, he was a trained soldier, a weapon forged for their deviant purposes.

Arlo tapped his serpent ring on the arm of his chair and studied me with fascination. “Tell me about yourself, Alexandrea.”

My stomach knotted as I recalled the last time he embarrassed Aiden. I wasn’t the same girl who ran out of the house in tears. This girl had teeth, and she was ready to fight.

“What do you want to know?”

He stared through me. “Your secrets.”

Don’t bother beating around the bush. Let’s get right to it.

I tipped my head back and chuckled. “I’m too boring to have secrets.”

“I doubt that. Everyone has something to hide.”

“Not me.” I drank my wine and hid behind the glass. “No secrets to share.”

None I want to tell you.

Arlo leaned back in his chair. “How is your art career going?”

Not this shit again.

After the dinner with Aiden, I never wanted a repeat of that night. I made a horrible decision by staying in Devil’s Creek. Aiden would still be here if I had listened to my head instead of my heart.

“Not well,” I admitted. “It seems all the galleries are filled up since my last exhibition.”

“That can be fixed if you play your part.”

Nerves coiled in my stomach, wrapping around me like a scorching hot blanket. Arlo always knew how to provoke me, something his sons learned from him.

“I was working with Madeline Laveau on a church restoration before Luca summoned me to Devil’s Creek. I left mymentor in the middle of a project. She understood that family comes first. But I don’t intend to give up my dreams so you can keep me locked in this house like a prisoner.”

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