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I need to force her hand. Make her turn away, walk away from me, without a word.
A thick sort of darkness fills my chest because I know what to do. I know what will work.
Another woman might storm over and throw a drink in my face, or confront me right here, in front of all the guests. But Payton isn’t like that, she’s been hurt too many times. She’s too fragile. She won’t stand up for herself.
Which is why she needs me. BecauseI’lldefend her. I’ll do any-fucking-thing for her. But right now, I need to break her heart. And it makes me furious.
With Payton’s eyes on Nikki, I slide my hand across my date’s back and curl my fingers around her hip. The feeling of her skinny body under my palm makes my skin itch. It’s not the body I want to touch. Not the body my hands have imprinted to memory.
Even from several feet away, I can see Payton’s face blanch.
I’m so fucking sorry, Baby.
She saw it, just like I needed her to. And Mr. Gintley saw it, just like I needed him to.
He never stopped talking, but I know he saw my attention shift. And now, instead of wondering what I was looking at, he’s looking at my hand on Nikki’s body, and getting distracted by staring at her tits.
Nikki is so desperate, she reacts like a sow in heat, pawing at me even more.
You’d think she’d understand the deal by now. Clearly it’s time for me to move on from our arrangement.
I pull my gaze away from Payton before she can catch me staring. And I watch as she stands in my periphery, the hurt rolling off her in waves.
But I don’t move. Or react. I barely breathe, until I see her form spin and leave. And I hate myself more than I ever have before.
CHAPTER48
Payton
I swallowdown the rest of my drink in two gulps, as I stumble away from the scene behind me.
This can’t be happening.
This can’t be happening.
I’m a little unsteady when I set the empty glass on a table. Letting it tip over while I keep moving.
I just need to get out of here.
Like right now. Before I break down into sobs in the center of this party.
My heart lurches.
He’s…
I blink against the tears that keep collecting in my eyes.
He’s a bad man. Just like he said he was.
CHAPTER49
Nero
I lether drift out of view, then pull my phone out of my pocket.
“Excuse me, I need to take this.” I cut Mr. Gintley off mid-sentence.
Pressing my palm into Nikki’s back, she takes the hint and steps forward to cozy up to her new mark.
