Page 28 of His Deadly Lies

MIA

“I asked if you’re going somewhere, Miss Balestra,” he growls when I fail to answer.

His voice is liquid honey, and something in my gut twinges at the sound. Probably more nausea. I hadn’t eaten anything since…hospital food. A small serving of Jell-O and not even the good kind. Cherry flavored.

Damn, how did he beat me down here? How did he know—

He narrows his gaze at me and steps into my path to keep me from running. The garage door closes behind me to cut off that escape route too.

A small moan burns the back of my throat. Why do I have the gut feeling this man is going to be the death of me?

After a moment, I perk up.

I can’t wait.

Finally, a worthy opponent.

It’s been a while since I had anyone to play with, to spar against, and this one just happens to be smart as a fucking whip, stronger than an ox, and come in a delectable white-haired package I wouldn’t mind exploring.

Yes, Carter is going to fall to his knees for me.

And when he finally caves…then I’ll work on his boss.

“I’ve got things to do. Places to be. Right now, you’re in my way.” If I hadn’t planned on taking a car ride then, now I certainly am. My leg is aching, my head killing me, and my entire body stiff from being laid up in the hospital cot.

“Great.” Carter pauses to pull open the door to my car. The passenger side. “Get in. I’ll drive you.”

I grind my teeth until my jaw aches. “I’m supposed to trust that you won’t pull the car over and take advantage?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Low blow, Princess.”

“Some might consider it a low blow that you decided to cut me off rather than take my word and wait for me outside my room,” I reply sweetly.

“You lied about changing. You lied rather poorly too,” he quips, still holding open the car door. “I expected better of you, to be honest.”

“How are we going to work together if you won’t trust me?”

The fucking bastard laughs loudly. The sound goes on for much too long. “Trust. Working together! I knew you were gorgeous, but I didn’t realize you were funny.” His amusement cuts off abruptly with his last word. “We’re not working together. We’re tolerating each other. End of story.”

He’s going to learn soon enough that it doesn’t matter what legal ties unite me with his family. My obedience is not something that can be bought with a gold ring.

He wants to play hardball? Fine. I’m game. Rather than explode on him the way I want to, giving in to the anger inside, I grin. Eerie calm replaces my frustration, and that is so much better than the feelings I know I have no business feeling.

“You should be more afraid of me than my father, you know,” I tell him, sauntering closer.

Carter lifts a brow. “Oh? What does this have to do with driving you? Those places to be.”

“I think it’s best for you to let me go on my own. Or would you like me to tell my father that the Vittorios are snooping around my hospital room and examining my medical chart?”

If I caught him off guard, he doesn’t show it. In fact, his face remains the typical stoic nothing-bothers-me that it has been since his arrival today.

“Ricardo heard that you were injured and expressed concern. I told him I would look into the matter,” Carter replies. “You’re welcome to twist it into anything else you like.”

His voice is smooth, matter-of-fact, and about as welcome as alcohol in a wound.

“You’re such a fucking liar,” I bark out.

He stills and lets the car door swing shut before slowly moving toward me, his motions fluid. Stalking me in a way that has me torn between anger and something hotter, darker. We’re alone in the cavernous expanse of the garage, and yet even his footsteps are silent. There’s only me and the pounding of my heart.

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