Page 110 of Forgotten Deeds

Ethan curses, grabbing me and flinging me over his shoulder. “Lily, be quiet.”

I only get louder, screaming and trying to kick him in the crotch, but I can’t connect at this angle. He carries me down a set of stairs to the basement.

“Oh my God,” I gasp when he flips on the light. There’s a table with pictures of me—some are of me naked in my bedroom—along with my hairbrush and panties I didn’t even realize were missing.

“We’re going to be together real soon,” Ethan says, dropping me on a couch. “I just need you to tell me where the money is.”

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” With some effort, I hoist my body upright to seated position. My wrists aching, I test out the restraints, quickly learning there’s no getting out of these handcuffs without the key. “When Darius finds out what you’ve done, he’s going to kill you,” I warn him. “Let me go before he finds out.”

He grabs me by the cheeks, squeezing hard. “I don’t ever want his name on your lips again.”

“You’re hurting me,” I manage.

“I’m going to save you, but you have to tell me where the money is.” He stands and begins pacing. “We need it to start our new life together.”

“You broke the lock on my window,” I say, bile rising in my throat as I glance back over to the pictures of me.

“Do you know how fucking angry it made me seeing you with him at Glitter?” He bellows, and I shirk back. It’s like the nice guy facade has fallen away, and I see Ethan for what he really is—a psycho. “Shaking your tits and ass in Diávolos’ face!” He thunders, the vein in his neck bulging.

“Ethan—”

He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, trying to compose himself. “Look, I know when you went back to the VIP room with Diávolos, he forced you to marry him. That’s why I’m willing to forgive you for it. Just tell me where the money is.”

“What money?”

“Lily, don’t play dumb,” he chides. “Harrison was acting shifty as hell, and so one night, I followed him to see what he was up to. And guess who gave my partner a big ole stack of cash in a back alley? Darius Angelos.” He watches my reaction, and when I don’t give him one, he flashes a patronizing smile. “What? No more ‘my husband works at a gym’ bullshit?”

“My husband does work at a gym,” I tell him, squaring my jaw.

The back of his hand connects with my cheek, and my upper half tumbles to the couch. “I don’t want to hurt you, baby, so don’t make me,” he warns, jerking me back up to seated position, my cheek throbbing. “I had to wait until the crime scene was cleared before I could search for the money. Found the safe in Harrison’s closet, but couldn’t get the fucking thing open. Imagine my surprise when I went to the trouble of staging a break-in and moving that heavy thing, only to get it home, cut it open, and realize you beat me to it.” He shakes his head in disbelief.

“You blamed Harrison’s dad for breaking into the house,” I say, stunned.

He shrugs. “I’m not mad at you for taking the money. Actually, I’m impressed. I didn’t think you had it in you.” He chuckles. “So tell me where you hid the money. You’ve gotten yourself in some deep shit marrying into the mob, and we need the cash to skip town.”

Thump. Thump. Thump. The sound’s coming from the opposite side of the basement.

Ethan rolls his eyes. “Banging his head against the door; killing whatever brain cell the dumb fuck has left.” He strolls to a closet door and opens it, and terror fills me veins when I spot Darius. He’s hogtied, with his mouth duct taped, and a bulging knot on his forehead. My husband’s eyes find mine, and he begins thrashing wildly.

“Did you want to join the party? Come on out, big guy,” Ethan says, dragging Darius out with effort. “You’ll never take Lily away from me again,” he says with a crazed smile, pulling a gun from his holster.

“Ethan, wait!” I say, jumping up and getting in his face; shielding Darius. “You’re right: Diávolos did force me to marry him. He threatened me if I ever told anyone, and I didn’t want to drag you into the middle of it,” I explain. “I’m sorry I hurt you. It’s clear to me now how much you really love me.”

“About damn time,” Ethan says like a petulant child.

“I’m sorry. I just needed time to make an escape plan. That’s why I took the money,” I explain. “Now, I don’t have to worry about escaping Diávolos; you’re here to save me, and we can finally be together.”

“Yeah?” He says, licking his lips.

“Yeah.” I give him a shy smile. “I’m so sorry you had to watch me dance for him. Please, let me make it up to you now. Uncuff me and let me dance for you. He can watch and know what it feels like. After, you can handle him however you think best, and we’ll go get the money.”

Ethan cocks his head, considering, and I try to keep my heart from beating out of my chest. “Baby, I like that idea,” he finally says, and I flash him a smile as he holsters his gun. Reaching in his pocket, he grabs the key to my cuffs. He leans in and kisses me, his disgusting tongue invading my mouth.

Don’t puke. Don’t puke. Don’t puke. I repeat it like a mantra, trying to kiss him back convincingly, all the while Darius’ muffled cries are ringing in my ears.

“Fuck, baby. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for that.” Ethan leans his forehead against mine, and I force myself not to recoil.

“Uncuff me, and let me show you it was worth the wait,” I tell him with a flirty smile. My Pearl smile.

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