Page 25 of Righteous Deceit

It’s the thirteenth.

I’ll see you gentlemen this evening.

She’ll seemethis evening. Not them. Not fucking them.

“Diego,” Lorenzo calls, and I shake my head, returning to the moment. “Vin has gone to get the girls. I need you to drop us back at the hotel, and then you can do whatever you do.”

“Yes, boss.” I follow him out of Bianchi’s home.

CHAPTERSIX

DIEGO

Istare at the email, reading the words for the eight-thousandth time today.

Red Treasure has denied your invitation to hunt. Please refer to the list below for alternate players.

Alternate players. Are they fucking kidding? I pay enough for my membership for them to know that it’s Alessia or no one.

Denied your invitation.

She hasneverdenied my invitation. Granted, I’ve only been an active participant a handful of times, but she’s affected by me. It was evident in the surprised gasp and the way her throat bobbed as I held her in my arms.

Her refusal doesn’t connect.

Well, it didn’t. Maybe it was my quick-fired request sent while she sat across from me at her brother’s home. The simple query as to whether she’d consider wearing goldfor me. It was impulsive, but I wanted her toseeme.

I clench my fist.

Didshe recognize me at the meet today?

Fuck.

I bring my phone to my ear.

“I’m starting to think you have a thing for me, always reaching out instead of dedicating yourself to your virgin sacrifice on your special day of the month. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Not for the first time in my life, I wonder why I actually like Leonardo Caruso. The underboss is cutthroat when he needs to be, but in the moments he’s not, fuck, he’s impulsive and joyfully antagonistic.

“You might have to be the most annoying person I know.”

“Aw. Diego, you’re so sentimental. Of course, I’ll let you suck my dick. You’ll just have to wait until after my dinner.”

I pull my phone from my ear, taking a deep breath before putting it back. “You’re still at dinner with Bianchi and his sister?”

“Alessia is about to leave. We’ll stay put. Bianchi has just pulled out a bottle of whiskey aged thirty years. Do you know how much that would co—”

Alessia is about to leave.

I hang up without saying goodbye.

I’ve compiled enough research since I left Bianchi’s mansion to know I could be inside Alessia’s house well before she made it home.

I told myself that my research was all for self-preservation andnotthe psychotic tendency of a man obsessed.

The woman who has claimed every crevice of my mind also sits in the hierarchy of an opposing outfit.

Coincidence or intentional?

---