Page 61 of Dirty Behavior

But I was afraid for the man I loved.

I was afraid that he wasn't breathing anymore, that life no longer flowed through his veins.

I had to know.

My fingers hovered gingerly over my stomach, almost touching it with a motherly nature. I held back, catching myself before I gave away my secret.

If Remo found out I was pregnant. . . I'd never make it out of this room alive.

Remo rolled his eyes, letting out a low grunt. “You're really concerned about that prick, huh?” Taking another long step, he was standing only feet away. His stale cologne circled my senses, making me gag. “Ivy, he doesn't matter, he never mattered. All that matters is that I have you back, that I have what's mine.”

“I'm not yours, Remo, I never was.”

His fingers tapped his jaw, playing soundless notes against his skin. “Ivy, do you want to know why your father let me purchase you?”

My heart jumped, stomach clenching.Yes, of course I do.

But would he give me the truth?

Or would he just feed me lines to try and push my hatred for him onto my father?

I couldn't believe a fucking word that came out of Remo's mouth. He was a liar, he was a crook. . .

He was a soldier to the mafia, and the power it brought him only fed his hunger.

I'd get the answers I needed, but I planned on getting them from my father. Remo's version didn't matter, it held no weight. He'd lie through his teeth to make it seem like he had done this to save me himself.

He didn't do shit except feed his selfishness.

“I want to see Dante.”

Frustration coated his face, his hands angrily tugging at the trim of his suit. “What has he done to you? Everything was going so good until Dante came into the picture. What can he give you that I can't?”

Everything.

“Remo, Iwantto see Dante.” Taking a step forward, I held my hand behind my back, stiffly grabbing the end of the blade. “I don't want a fucking thing from you, I just want him.”

His eyes went static, boring into me as he stroked his chest. “Did he touch you?” Cocking his head, he looked over my body. “Did he make you empty promises he obviously couldn't keep? Tell me,Celia,did he sweet talk you into thinking he could actually take you away from me?”

Dipping my head, my brows furrowed into my nose. “I told you we could talk, but not until I know he's alive. Take me to Dante.”

Sighing heavy, Remo rolled his eyes and smiled. “Why don't you just admit that all of this ended the way it should have? You're with me, you will always be with me, until I decide you're no longer worthy to breathe. Once you realize that your life is what I say it is, things will be so much better for you.”

“Fuck you!” Hot air steamed the space around me, his face turning wicked with my reaction.

“Now, now, let's not let our emotions get in the way. Dante was a valiant member to his family, but you had to know it would end sometime. He wouldn't be able to run this show forever.” Remo's hands danced across his chest, fluttering in the air. “And that's exactly what I'll tell the police when I tip them off about Bane's death.”

My mouth frowned, brows digging into my nose. “They won't believe you, you won't be able to pin that on him.” All the nerves had melted, anger replacing the electric spark in my heart.

“They'll believe me. They believed me when I went to them with information on Sesto, they listened when I gave them places and dates to catch all those assholes.” Taking a step in, Remo drew a long finger down the outside of my arm. “Just admit it to yourself, it's over, you can't escape me.”

“I want to see Dante! Now!”

Remo's head joggled on his shoulders, his pupils lit in black fire. “Fine, if it will shut you up, follow me.” Turning around, he started down a long hall. “I don't understand why you want to see him so badly, it's not like he can save you now.”

My fingers tensed around the knife, ready to strike. I could have done it right then, I could have stabbed him in the back. He was so conceded, so full of himself and what he thought he deserved.

But I didn't.

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