Page 69 of Dangerous Love

I sighed. “Why?” As soon as the question left my lips, I already knew the answer, though it didn’t make it easier. I just needed to hear it from him.

The rattling increased on the other line, like he’d closed a door behind him, before silence lingered in the air. I pictured him in his office, the kids’ crap everywhere, sporting his grey polo shirt and cargo shorts, his brown eyes staring into mine.

“I thought you deserved better. When he asked me to find you, I finally had a noble reason to barge into your life.” He sighed. “I wanted to. Always did. I just...” He paused. “Si, I just didn’t want you tainted by my blood, but there’s not a day that goes by where I don’t want you by my side.”

“I’m trying to move on, Riley. But nothing feels right anymore. I’m lost.” Tears spilled again as I nursed my broken heart. “I’ll never love anyone like I love you.”

Another stretch of silence replaced the soft breathing on both ends.

“What time do you finish work?” he murmured. “Let me come and pick you up. We can go anywhere you want. We’ll just talk.”

Being near him would be enough to patch up my pain, even for a short while, and yet, it screamed complications. My stomach burnt, cramps reflecting through my lower abdomen. Was I supposed to tell Riley I lived with Michael? And what about Michael? What was I supposed to tell him when he went to drop me home?

You’re a free woman. You’ve done nothing wrong.When my head threatened to implode, I shut it down, and instead, I listened to the singing of my heart and sighed. “I finish at three. I’ll wait for you.”

Then I closed my eyes and pretended I could say more.

CHAPTER34

Riley

Itossed my phone on Trey’s coffee table, the device sliding across the glass.

“Wow, someone’s sulky,” my brother teased as he stepped into the room. “What have I missed?”

I sighed. “Just spoke to Sienna.”

Trey fell back onto an armchair across from me with a quizzical look. Cocking his eyebrow, he asked, “She okay? I thought she wasn’t talking to you anymore?”

So did I.I ran my fingers through my hair, my heart still pounding from the shock of the call. And hearing her voice. I already knew I loved her and that I missed her like crazy, but I hadn’t expected to feel so jittery at the thought of seeing her in the flesh.

“She was crying.”

“Why?”

Guilt punched me. “Because she still thinks I faked us for the sake of her brother’s good grace.”

Trey made some weird face, like he was considering it. “Did you?”

“Fuck no. No way.” I straightened, resting my ankle on my other knee. “He just gave me the push I needed to track her down without worrying whether it was in her best interests or not.”

“You and your constant ethical dilemmas.” He smirked. “My brother, St Peter.”

I tossed a cushion at him. “Shut up.” I laughed. “One day you’ll understand.”

He grabbed the pillow and yanked it behind his back. “So, when are you seeing her?”

I glanced at my watch, my heart spiking when the countdown started in my head. “An hour and a half.”

“Well, we better get on with it then.” Trey jumped forward and grabbed a manilla folder in front of him. I leaned closer, studying the profiles he lined up between us. “These are the guys Dad’s eyeing for his grand plan.” He pointed towards an older man who’d seen better days. “That’s good old Pete. Clearly, he’s fucked.”

“Clearly. How long before he’s a thing of the past?”

Trey hummed. “I’m surprised he’s still standing, judging by the skin and bones. Maybe a few weeks. I’d say that’s why Dad’s rushing through this.”

“Right.” You had to give it to Hal. He always knew how to make things happen. At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d managed to have his name added to the Snakes’ will.

Another enlarged photo slid towards me. “This is Dorian. The Snakes’ head of security. From what I saw on the CCTV at the club, he makes Fish look like a Sunday school teacher.”

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