Page 35 of Throne of Sin

Dante’s eyes turn dark when they narrow on me, but I don’t care. I’m mad at how he’s making me feel.

“I think I might actually keep it.”

Chapter 18

Dante

“Don’tyoufinditweird that you haven’t seen Demi in ten years, and thenbam, she’s working off a debt to you?” Max scratches at his jaw. “Andshe’s the only girl who hasn’t jumped at the chance to spend time with me.” His expression is to say that no woman has ever turned him down before. “She’s skittish around me and almost everyone.” It’s comical how stumped Max is by her. It makes me proud that she has shown no interest in him. My brother isn’t exactly a slouch in the looks department.

“Give her some credit. That girl can sense a serial killer when she sees one. Anyway, she’s fine around me.” I lean back in my chair and take a sip of my drink, trying to cover my cocky grin.

“I’m not a serial killer,” he scoffs, annoyed that I turned the conversation back on him. “What if she planned this whole thing and came in here pretending she didn’t know it was your place? What if she knew about you buying women and decided to try her luck?”

The thought puts a bad taste in my mouth and I set my drink down. “That’s one elaborate plan to get my attention. I don’t see her doing that for a second.”

“She’s hiding something. I have a knack for knowing these things.”

“She’s not hiding anything,” I argue, maintaining my relaxed posture while Max stands to pace around. This guy’s mind never stops. When he thinks he smells a trail, he goes OCD on it. He’s obsessive when something consumes him.

“What has she been doing for the last ten years?”

I open my mouth to say and realize I have no clue. I’ve been so focused on her leaving and never coming back, it never occurred to me to ask.

Max laughs at my blank expression. “You’ve been thinking with the wrong head, brother.” He points at me, shaking his head.

“What do you suggest?”

“It’s her day off tomorrow, right?”

“So?”

“You need to watch and see what she does.”

Demi has been living with the girls for three weeks now. I don’t normally show up where they live, but it’s not like I haven’t done it before. Before I knock, Robin answers the door in what looks like only a hoodie. I instantly recognize it as mine. A flash of anger zips down my spine and I have to bite my tongue to keep from asking if Demi had given her permission.

“Who knew one lost and found sweater would be so popular?” I say, stepping inside. I don’t need permission to enter a house I pay for.

“Demi tossed it in the garbage.” She shrugs. “Finders, keepers.”

My back molars grind.

It doesn’t take long for the girls to come out of their rooms once they hear my voice.

“Why, Mr. Mancini, it’s a pleasure to have you over,” Tanya purrs.

I look around and notice Demi isn’t around. “Where’s Demi?”

A few of the girls look put out, but Tanya looks all too happy to answer. “She never hangs out with us on days off unless you’re there. Even some nights she doesn’t come home right away.”

That’s all news to me. I hate that Max might have been on to something.

“And where does she go?” I try to keep my voice pleasant, but the girls shift, looking more worried with my tone.

I look around the room and my eyes land on Robin. The two of them seem to be friends. “Well, shit,” she drawls, and narrows her eyes on Tanya. “She goes to the inner city.”

Fucking prescription drugs. “Why?”

Robin shakes her head. “I ain’t no snitch, but I honestly don’t know. The less I’m involved, the better.”

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