Page 77 of Wicked Temptation

“What are you saying?”

“Just look how things worked out. If even half of what Mamba told you was true, the Monroes aren’t people to mess with, and I’ve just majorly pissed one of them off.”

“Are you including me in this mistake?”

“I’ve thought about it a lot over the last week, and although you weren’t the reason I broke it off with Edward, you were undoubtedly the catalyst.”

“Then I think you should thank me for making you see that marrying that fucker would’ve been your biggest fuckin’ mistake.”

“Fine, but it doesn’t mean you and I will work. We haven’t seen each other in ten years, and even back then, what we had wasn’t a conventional relationship. We’ve never even been on a date.”

“I don’t have to go on a date with you to know how I feel and have always felt. Seeing you again made me realize why I’ve never been with a woman for more than a few nights.” Samson grabbed her hands, and his dangerous blue eyes darkened. “They weren’t you.”

“But now everything’s changed again, with more trouble looming than either of us can handle. I think fate is screwing with us and sending a sign that being together is dangerous.”

“Ahh, no, babe. I don’t buy it. You can tell yourself us getting back together is a mistake, but you know as well as I do, it would be a fuckin’ lie. Nothing was holding you back before in your kitchen. Your body knew what you wanted and needed even if your stubborn brain wouldn’t admit it, and if that fucker hadn’t come to the door, you and I would’ve gotten it done right there on your granite counter.”

A flash of Samson’s tongue caressing her body sent heat up her spine, but recklessness could have a high price.

“Great job with that because one minute of me not thinking straight just threatened everything I’ve worked for the last ten years. Kudos to me.”

“Damn straight, kudos to you 'cause you don’t need that asshole in business or anywhere else.”

“You’re right, I don’t, but they could destroy my livelihood with one text, one phone call, or a single word with the flick of a wrist. They carry a lot of weight in this business.”

“They’re not the only ones with power. If they wanna fight you and try to send your business into the shitter, they’ll have to go balls out and pick on someone their own size.”

“I can’t believe I’m even asking or entertaining this, but you know people who can go up against the Monroes?”

“Fuck, yeah.”

* * *

Samson was screwed. Only one person had that kind of power—the one person manipulating his life since he was a teen, whom he and Nick swore to never deal with again—the same person who made them move their business three thousand miles across the country.

Frank Barnett.

Throwing in with Frank equated to trying to deal with a rattlesnake, but what choice did he have? He wasn’t about to give up Lisbeth again after all these years, and he wouldn’t let the Monroes bully her out of business or fuck with Club Wicked.

“I don’t want you doing anything to jeopardize you or your club’s success.” Lisbeth’s pained voice jarred Samson out of his dangerous thoughts.

“Too late, babe. I’ve already gone way over that line more than once.”

“But you’ll be going backward, defeating the whole purpose of starting over in Vegas.”

“I’m beginning to realize there is no starting over, no hiding from my past, so maybe it’s about time I owned it and faced this shit head-on. Meet my demons and confront them, maybe even tame them.”

Instead of shielding her like before, he’d make Lisbeth an equal as they fought for their future together.

Strong fuckin’ words, but the damn truth. Instead of running from Frank, why not use him and settle shit on his terms? Maybe Samson wouldn’t come out on top, but he’d get what he needed, which would be enough for now.

“No, that will never work, and frankly, I don’t want that kind of help. I’ve got enough trouble with the Monroes without adding more criminals to the mix.”

“First, you say we’re a mistake, and now you don’t want my help.” Samson’s blood ran hotter through his veins with every word. “I’m getting a lot of mixed signals, babe.”

“No mixed signals, just the truth.”

He didn’t want to make this situation worse, but fuck, he didn’t think he could control his anger or the distinct feeling Lisbeth was slipping away again. This time, he’d fight for what he wanted.

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