Page 99 of Fortress of the King

Angelo looks at her more closely. “Who did you come here with?”

“Nobody.”

He frowns some more. “You know you can’t lie to save yourself.”

“I’m with some friends.” She waves behind her, but Angelo isn’t buying it. Before he can say any more, she adds, “Ooh, there’s my friend Alison. I’ll see you two lovebirds later…”

She dashes off, giving me a huge grin as she passes. I can’t help but smile. She reminds me of…

“And that was my annoying little sister, Valentina,” Angelo says, turning to watch her dash across the floor. He shakes his head. “And the reason for my many gray hairs.”

I can’t help grinning. “She seems lovely.”

He turns to look down at me, his hand gripping my hip. “Let’s dance.”

“I don’t really –”

He pulls me out onto the dance floor and into his arms. The band is playing a slow, sultry song as he pulls me flush against him. I feel his hard cock press into my stomach, and it makes me swallow hard.

He leans down to my ear. “You get me like this so fucking easy,Carina.”

His eyes are dark and heated when I look up at him as we begin to slow dance.

“Angelo–”

“Shhh,” he says. “Every pair of eyes are on you tonight.”

“I only have eyes for you,” I tell him truthfully.

The corner of his mouth turns up. “Is that right?”

I nod, unsure of the predatory way he’s looking at me – he’s different tonight, rougher somehow.

“Yes,” I murmur, looking down at his fingers as he tugs my nipple and smooths his hand back down to my waist.

“You asked me not long ago what I would do to someone who betrayed me.”

Oh shit.

“And the truth is, I’d show them no mercy.”

“I don’t doubt that,” I whisper, though I don’t even know if he hears me.

The song ends, and it’s time to excuse myself to the lady’s room before I panic completely and blow the whole thing. I have to go and collect the package. What I do from here is anyone’s guess.

He kisses me on the cheek.

“I’ll be right back,” I say, giving him a smile as he watches me.

I scramble my way to find the south side bathrooms. Everything depends on this moment in time. If I can secure the package, then at least that part is out of the way.

I text Enzo as I walk. He tells me he’s got someone discreetly staking out the ladies and following me. The bathroom is off of the main building and I can see why they chose this spot, it’s dark and secluded.

I look around as I enter the opulent restroom. My heart is beating so hard in my chest.

I don’t want to do this, but it’s all part of the show, make them think they have the upper hand and that I’m going to kill him …. how wrong they are, so very wrong.

But all I can think about is Mia, so I press on with a heavy heart and more anxiety than I’ve ever felt in my entire life.

I’m running on adrenaline now, it’s all I have.

I take a big breath, push the door open and step inside.

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