Page 136 of Scorned Beauty
“You didn’t think I’d let you go off alone when this fucker is around?” His deadly gaze swept over Tomlin. “And you better not take another step toward her.”
Vivienne sneered. “You seem to forget she used to clean my toilet.”
“Is that the best you can come up with?” Dom drawled. “How about you worry about your reputation circling the sewer? It’s everything a bitch like you deserves.”
“How dare you?” she whispered.
“Go back to the table, Vivienne! So help me God,” Fred roared.
When Vivienne skittered away, he turned on Dom. “What’s this? Extortion?” His eyes zipped back to me. “Is this why you’re spreading your legs for this criminal?”
“Motherfucker!” Dom rushed Tomlin, but someone in a tux tackled him.
“Dammit, De Lucci,” the newcomer croaked in pain. “You’re going to set me back in physical therapy.”
Phil Harding?
Men in tuxes and tactical gear surrounded us. Wait, this was a sting operation?
I’d only noticed how the hallways were darkened more than normal, and men appeared to barricade the entrance leading back to the ballroom.
Someone approached. I recognized him as the fed working with Phil. “Congressman Tomlin, you’re under arrest for aggravated assault of minors. You have the right to remain silent…”
“You can’t do this!” he roared. “This is entrapment.”
“There was no entrapment here, but we have received evidence?—”
He glared at Lucy. “I’ll fight this charge. You can’t use this in court.”
They hauled him away from where the festivities were still going on. I caught sight of Kirill standing at the end of the hallway before he disappeared when the rest of law enforcement flooded the hall.
“Phil…” I whispered. “I didn’t know where to find you. Phil Harding…”
“Doesn’t exist.” He grinned wryly. “But I’m still Phil.”
He reached out to touch me, but Dom growled. “If you don’t want to be put back in a cast?—”
“Christ,” Phil chuckled. “I guess I can’t hug you.”
“Yes, you can.”
I squinted at Dom, ignoring the blast of disapproval coming from him, and stepped into Phil. “I’m so happy you’re alive.”
He said by my ear, “Me too, but I won’t be if you don’t let me go soon.”
“Mr. Harding,” Lucy interrupted. “Won’t you escort me back to the ball?”
I glanced at Dom’s sister, who was silently laughing while her brother stood forbiddingly with clenched fists, glaring at me and Phil.
He glared even harder when I rolled my eyes.
When Phil and I broke our hug, he turned to Lucy, offering his arm. “Gladly, Miss De Lucci. I can’t thank you enough for giving us a break on the case.”
They walked away. “It won’t hold up in court but…”
“This was the plan all along?” I asked Dom. “I could have helped better. Maybe planned a whole speech against Tomlin.”
“We couldn’t risk an entrapment charge. The less you knew, the better.” Dom prowled toward me. “And you were playing with fire, baby.” My pussy spasmed at the promise of retribution behind his eyes.
