Page 41 of Lies like Rubies, Part Two (Savage Jewels)

When she reached down to grab her tote bag full of books, I snatched it away, then gestured for her to lead. Her eyes widened before she slammed down that damnable mask over her features once again.

I ached to wipe that expression from her face and see something real. It was too early. As much as I enjoyed her humiliation, she’d been through hell, and even a man as cruel as me had to admit that she deserved what little peace she could find.

“I’ll be right back,” she said. Ten minutes later, I’d sprawled on the couch, my laptop across my thighs and my feet propped up on the coffee table, and she’d changed into sweats.

My eyes widened. I’d never seen her so casual on purpose.

Her brow furrowed when she saw my expression. “What?”

I extended my arm, inviting her to sit beside me, unwilling to express out loud how fucking beautiful I found her, unwilling to give her another arm in our increasingly unequal relationship.

To my surprise and delight, she curled up beside me, her tablet in hand, and dove into her studies, reading and highlighting as I worked.

I wasn’t stupid.

Sofia wasn’t in any shape to resume our games, not physically, not mentally, not emotionally, but sitting peacefully beside her filled a hole in my chest I hadn’t realized was there until I arrived at Lorenzo’s apartment two days ago and saw her struggling to throw off the shackles of her trauma.

Fuck it. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and dragged her against me, so she was leaning on my chest as she worked. Her eyes flicked up to me, inscrutable, but she didn’t move, just nestled into my chest without saying a word.

Eventually, her eyelids drooped shut, and when her tablet threatened to clatter to the floor, I caught it and set it on the table, careful not to jostle her.

By that time, Lorenzo had arrived home. “She’ll want to change before her brother gets here,” he said, watching us, his deep brown eyes expressionless.

“I’ll wake her up in a few minutes,” I promised as I threw a blanket over her and held her tight.

His lips tilted up into a lopsided smile, and he closed the door so she could sleep.

18

SOFIA

I can’t do this.I slid down the wall until I sat with my knees drawn up to my chest, my arms wrapped around them, as if by making myself smaller, I could hide from the world for a few more minutes. My entire body trembled with anxiety as I fought the panic.

A soft knock on my door, followed by a tentative, “Sofia? Baby?”

Nick.Sweet, kind Nick, who was just as bad at letting me make my own decisions as the rest of them.

He cracked the door open, then stepped into the room, his face twisting with concern when he saw me squeezed against the dresser, unable to force myself to stand and face the large group of men waiting for me—not just the men I’d tangled myself up with, but Luca, Ginevra’s husbands, and who knows who the fuck else?

He offered me his hand.

“I can’t,” I whispered.

“Oh, baby,” he said, kneeling in front of me. “You’re so fucking strong. You can, I promise you.”

I shook my head again, refusing to meet his eyes, unableto explain the anxiety that filled me at the thought of having to walk out of this room, put on my mask, and pretend that everything was fucking normal.

It wasn’t.

It never would be normal again.

Nick rocked back on his heels and tilted his head, his eyes focused on me, but his thoughts clearly elsewhere.

He moved over to the bed and sat, his legs spread wide, his gaze open and compassionate before it firmed up.

“Come here,” he commanded.

What? Was he? I didn’t move.

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