Page 27 of Righteous Deceit

“I hardly think I need to answer that question. You’ve broken into my home because I said no.”

“Maybe,” I reply. “But I want to know why. Was it the request I made for you to wear gold for me? Or was it something else?”

She scowls. “I owe you no explanation.”

I gnaw at my bottom lip. “Which version is the real you,tesoruccio?”

She straightens her shoulders, continuing her very slow move into the living space. Each shift of her feet is small enough that she likely thinks I haven’t noticed. But she should know by now that I see everything, especially regarding her.

“This version”—I lift my chin—“strong and a little frightening.” The smile in my voice is unmistakable. “Or the version in the forest. Playful and submissivelytender.”

One of her dark brown eyebrows lifts.

“Maybe both,” I consider aloud.

She’s now standing behind her sofa, staring at me with a mix of anger and alarm. “You obviously have no idea who I am.”

Ah. I was waiting for this. The threat of the family. My feisty little sacrifice.

I smile behind my mask. “Alessia Bianchi or Lincoln, whichever you choose to go by. Consigliera to the Chicago outfit. Twin sister to the feared Joker, Salvatore Bianchi himself.”

She lifts her chin. “You’re a different kind of stupid, then.” Without missing a beat, she lifts a gun she must have hidden in the back of her sofa and fires a shot into the wall beside my arm.

I don’t flinch. “You missed.”

She smiles. “It was a warning.”

I shrug. “You like me.”

She shifts her aim, directing it right at my heart.

“You could.” I take a step closer. “Or we could play.”

“Absolutely fucking not.”

“I’ll use my manners.” Mirth sits heavily in my tone, and it deepens her scowl.

She considers me for mere seconds. Confident I won’t come closer, she drops her gun at her side. “Get out of my house.”

“Play with me,” I say again,almostbegging. “Run,tesoruccio,and when we finish, I’ll tell you who I am.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “I don’t give a fuckwhoyou are. I won’t ever see you again after this. Your membership to The Quest is as good as trash as well. Not that it matters. You’ll be dead.”

“Oh.” I step closer, laughing at her open threat. “But I think youreallywant to know who I am.”

“I’ll live with the suspense.” She’s lying. Her stare is too intent, her eyes searching.

She’s cataloging the sliver of skin visible under my mask. Her gaze is set on the unwavering stare of my eyes. But still, no recognition flares in her pupils.

“What if I told you we’ve already met? You’ve seen my face, Sia. Just as I’ve seen yours.”

Sia.It suits her better. It’s powerful yet feminine and a little freer than the confines of her full name.

Her eyes widen, and I know I have her.

“If you hurt me, I will shoot you.”

I shake my head slowly. “What did I tell you,tesoruccio? I only want to claim you.”

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