Page 31 of Promised

I quickly assessed him. He was handsome in a rich boy way, with coiffed blonde hair and a suit more expensive than the jewelry I was wearing. His cologne was overwhelming, like he thought he had to use more because he’d spent so much money on it.

“Timothy MacArthur.” He smirked like the name should mean something to me as he extended his hand.

“Ariella Di Costa.” His palm was soft, and I immediately knew he was a politician. No one with soft hands was in a crime syndicate.

His smile widened as his eyes raked over me. “So you’re the other daughter.”

I clenched my jaw as he held my hand hostage in his grasp. He didn’t come over here because I was so beautiful; my father had sent him. This was a setup.

I was ready to end this conversation before it started. To walk away without a second glance. But then I saw him.

Adam’s gaze pierced me as he stood talking to the Kents across the room. His expression was no longer cold and closed off. Now, his gaze was full of flames, burning me to ashes with one look.

So, instead of dismissing the man in front of me, I leaned in. I let him hold my hand as I smiled at him flirtatiously.

“That’s me.” I sipped my champagne as I fluttered my lashes. Timothy took the bait, too arrogant to think someone might not be interested in him.

He stroked my wrist as he pulled me closer to whisper in my ear. “They say you’re the wild one.”

I tried not to choke on his cologne as I threw my head back and laughed. It came out sounding natural. I had practiced fake laughing as much as I’d fixed a fake smile on my face.

Timothy snaked an arm around my waist, leading me to a high-top table nearby. “I always did like taming the wild girls.”

I slid my fingertips up his arm as I smiled at him. “I might not be so easy. I guess you’ll have to find out for yourself.”

Unlike him, I didn’t whisper. I wanted Adam to hear. Wanted to hurt him like he’d been hurting me. I could feel his rage from across the room. I glanced in his direction long enough to see his fists clenched at his sides.

This was nothing compared to what he’d done to me. A little jealousy would never touch the pain of being left in that hospital alone. But if it was my only weapon, I’d use it.

I’d never admit it aloud, and it was definitely wrong, but a part of me enjoyed getting under his skin.

17

Adam

The glass in my hand squeaked as I squeezed tighter. I was surprised it held up to the rage coursing through my veins as I watched Ariella. She threw herself at everything with a dick and a fat wallet like a fucking whore. I clenched my jaw as she laughed at some guy’s joke.

Goddamn liar.

She pretended for years that she hated this life. That she never wanted her father to marry her off. But I’d heard them tonight. She was going to do it. Let Gio pimp her out so he could get a little more power.

And she’d get something too. A rich husband.

The fury grew inside me as I recalled all the times she told me money didn’t matter. That she didn’t care if I was poor with no family because she loved me.

Bullshit. This whole fucking world was bullshit.

“Jesus, he’s as bad as you.” Vander Kent slapped me on the shoulder, drawing my attention back to them.

“What?” I gulped down the vodka in my glass, already desperate for another. To let the burn of the alcohol dull my senses. Maybe then I wouldn’t be so attuned to her.

“I was saying that your attitude and attention span are as good as Angelo’s.” He laughed as he nodded towards his cousin.

Angelo stood at an angle, turning away the burned side of his face as he listened to our conversation. He’d been a fairly quiet guy before the incident, but now he rarely spoke, likely because of the fire damage to his voice.

“Fuck off,” I grumbled. “What are you even doing here? I thought you enjoyed being loners.”

It was common knowledge that neither man dated. Angelo’s reasons were clear. I wouldn’t date either if my last girlfriend dumped me because of the scars.

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