Page 71 of Lies like Rubies, Part One

I dashed back into my apartment, swearing as I worked against the clock. Thirty seconds in the bathroom was enough to fix my makeup but not to calm the queasiness in my stomach. I kissed Lizzie’s forehead as I dashed out the door again, praying that Nick was long gone by the time I strode out of the building and climbed into the vehicle that waited for me.

I calmed myself in the car, reminding myself that neither man had a claim on me. Nick and I had barely dated. Dante and I made a Faustian bargain to protect my daughter and no more. It had been less than a month since either of them had tumbled into my life like an avalanche, sweeping away everything that had come before and replacing it with their larger-than-life presence. My reassurances did nothing for the stone in the pit of my stomach that was miserable about both of them.

Too soon, the SUV pulled up to the hotel. The driver twisted around to hand me a room key. “He’s waiting for you, Miss Russo.”

“Thank you,” I said absently, then caught myself.Manners, Sofia.I looked at him more closely. “Thank you,” I said sincerely. “I appreciate it.” He smiled and tipped his cap before turning around to face the front.

The hotel staff opened my door, and I slid out, straightening my skirt and clutching my tote. I strode into the hotel, straight to the elevator, ignoring the busy lobby, pretending I didn’t see acquaintances milling around, and then sagging against the elevator wall as soon as the doors closed. I'd regained my equilibrium by the time the elevator opened outside Dante’s door.

The burly man on guard duty swept his eyes up and down my body, then turned to knock. “Sofia Russo, sir.”

Dante opened the door, freshly showered, running a towel over his curly locks, looking good enough to eat in slacks and a button-down shirt, his sleeves rolled up to reveal the complex lattice of tattoos that covered his skin.

His eyes caught mine, and his brow furrowed. “Come in.” He didn’t move from the doorway, so I had to squeeze by. He sniffed my hair as our bodies brushed together and abruptly stepped back. His face contorted with fury before it froze into an icy mask.

He slammed the door shut and stalked toward me. “How dare you come here smelling like another man?”

“I—”

A friend stopped by my apartment on my way here and kissed me stupid.

I’m seeing another man who ignites the same fucking butterflies as you do.

You don’t own me.

Was there any explanation that would satisfy him?No.

Dante circled me, his eyes darkened to obsidian, hard and furious as he looked me up and down.

“Who do you smell like, Sofia?” he whispered, his voice sliding over me like gravel.

“Are you going to hurt him?” I whispered.

Dante scoffed. “No. I’m going to hurtyou.”

“I wasn’t aware our arrangement meant I couldn’t date.”

“Liar,” he growled.Oh my God, he growled.The rumble reverberated through my chest and tugged on something profound inside me. My lips parted involuntarily, and my breath turned ragged. “You belong to me, Sofia, until I tell you otherwise. And you fucking know it.” He stared at me in silence. “Shower. Now.”

My eyes snapped to his.

“Move!” he snapped, and I jumped forward, scrambling toward the room we’d used the last time I was in his hotel suite.

In the bathroom, I stripped quickly and stepped under the steaming water, thankful I’d packed an overnight bag. I scrubbed off my makeup, washed my hair, and finished as fast as possible. I hated that he would see my face bare and without my makeup, without the mask I wore every day to hide myself from the world.

A few minutes later, I was freshly scrubbed, my skin pink from my ministrations. I debated whether Dante would want me in a robe or naked and decided I didn’t care. A robe was easily removed, and he would rob me of my dignity, anyway. I wrapped myself in the warm and fluffy garmet.

Dante waited for me in the lounge area of the suite, dark and tense with anger as he sprawled on the couch, the first few buttons of his black shirt undone. His eyes roved over me, taking in my wet hair, my robe, my cheeks still flushed from the heat of the shower.

“It’s a fucking shame, Sofia. Strip.”

I untied the belt and slid the robe off my shoulders, letting it drop to the ground. He nodded toward the cage. “Get in there.”

Tears pricked behind my eyes, and I found it hard to hold them back, vulnerable without my mask to retreat behind, remembering how carefully he’d held me the night in his car after the dinner with Adam.

No. I was made of sterner stuff. I was Sofia fucking Russo, and I could endure anything if it would keep my daughter safe. I walked to the cage and then crawled in, maneuvering myself until I sat in the back, my arms wrapped around my knees.

My stomach growled. We both ignored the sound as we sat in silence. When room service arrived, I turned my head toward the wall so I wouldn’t have to watch them gape at my nudity.

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