Page 48 of Devious
“I’m sorry. That was harsh. You pissed me off, trying to manipulate me,” she says.
I would say I’m sorry, but I’m not. I needed to play with her mind to see where her head was at. And the way she glared at me as if I gutted her in the stomach tells me she was worried I was sleeping with someone else.
“You don’t have to pretend you care about our marriage. Remember, I’m a business transaction.” She throws my words back at me.
My snide comment bothered her. It was the truth at the time, but now, I don’t know how I feel about her. I don’t expect us to have any happiness ever, but I want us to get along. I haven’t felt anything for a woman in years. With the women I did fuck, I kept my cock in their mouths, and if I wasn’t face fucking them, I was fucking their pussy. Once I was done, I sent them on their merry way.
Her eyes glint with hope. Maybe she thinks I might love her, but she’s wrong. I need to crush her hope. Because I don’t do the whole love thing anymore. I tried and I failed, and the pain of losing Shelby was too unbearable. I couldn’t function to the point I almost lost my mind. I will never make myself vulnerable to another woman ever again.
“I don’t care about this marriage and you’re right.” My tone is cold as I lie straight through my teeth.
Her face scrunches up in pain, and tears gloss over her eyes. “This will be our last date, Devious. I’ll never forgive you for forcing me to marry you.”
I didn’t expect her forgiveness, and why should she? I haven’t done anything to make her believe I actually care about her because if I did, she might take advantage of it. People are always using people for something. She might try to use me, to abuse her freedom and power. And I have no doubt that when the opportunity arises, she will run away from me. Like she did with the underbosses she was engaged to before me.
“I need to go to the ladies’ room. May I be excused?”
I nod, tapping the Bluetooth in my ear to call Max. “Follow her.”
She stomps in the opposite direction, bumping into a waiter with tattoos on the side of his neck, and he spills red wine on her gown. She takes a napkin, wiping viciously.
“This stain won’t come out,” she says.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Vitali.”
“No problem. Mistakes happen all the time,” she answers.
“After you come from the restroom, we’ll go home,” I say.
She proceeds to the bathroom.
The otherfamigliascome and speak to me. Nero stands across from me, a woman on his arm. If he says anything about Roselyn, I’m going to butcher him like meat. He has always had an issue with me ever since high school, and I don’t care to find out what it is. As long as he doesn’t cross any lines, then we won’t have a problem.
“Devious,” he says, placing his hands in his pockets.
I check out his new date. She’s pretty with blonde hair and freckles across her nose. She appears to be in her early twenties. She might be the whore on his side of the territory he runs.
“Nero,” I say.
He nods.
“You’re getting married?” I ask.
“Nah. Not right now. I’m going to wait for a while. This is my date. Alyssa, this is my boss.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” she says.
“Likewise.”
There is an awkward silence, and I check my watch. Roselyn should have been back from the restroom.
“Excuse me,” I say. I call Max on my way to the bathroom, and he doesn’t reply. I open the bathroom door and look in every stall.
Panic envelops me. Has she decided to escape me? Where did she go? If she tries to escape me, I’m going to end her life.
Where the hell is Max? It’s unusual for him to not respond.
“Roselyn, where are you?” I shout. “If you’re playing games, I’m going to take you over my knee.”
