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He shook his head, his nostrils flaring. “Goodacre tried to ruin me. The revenge I was after had nothing to do with Gretchen, not after time went by, and everything to do with him being a sadistic fuck. Believe me when I tell you that I haven’t thought of Gretchen in a long time. She tried to talk to me, to beg for forgiveness, but it was too late. The last I heard she had moved to France. And that was it. End of story.” His mouth was on mine, warm and feverish. I moaned as he bit my lip, his hand moving down my back to grip my ass. “You are the only woman I care about. Now, and forever.”
God, why did he have to say things like that, things that would make me melt instantly? His words settled deep into my soul, and I didn’t know how I’d ever thought of him as the bad guy. The villain. I had a lot of making up to do. I reached up and clutched him to me.
“Fuck, my shoulder,” he hissed and I leaned away from him.
“I’m sorry.” I covered my mouth to hide my laugh. “You can’t say things like that and not expect me to want to tackle you.”
His eyes turned dark, a grin spreading across his face. “Tackle me, then. Just not on the left side.”
I shook my head. “No, no. I have to get going soon before Valik realizes I’m not home. Get some rest before I tell Eros on you.”
“Tattletale.” He winked and sprawled in the bed.
Damn, he looked good, even with a bandage wrapped around his shoulder. His muscles flexed and he rested his hand over his abs. I knew what he was doing though. Trying to entice me, make me weak and make me give in to him. He looked inviting, like I should just crawl into his lap and stay like that the rest of the day. But I knew I couldn’t.
*****
I nibbled on a piece of steak, struggling to keep my food down. Ryzen poured more wine into my glass, and I chugged it. I was getting so sick and tired of these stupid dinners with him.
It was like night and day from yesterday to today. I had been running on adrenaline for the past twenty-four hours, and it was all catching up to me now.
He raised his eyebrows as I gulped the wine down and shook his head. “You OK, Nova? You look…” He gave me a once-over, his lips in a flat line. “Well, forgive me, but you look like hell.”
I chuckled, trying to mask the bitterness raging throughout my body. “Didn’t sleep well. The nightmares got the best of me.” That wasn’t exactly a lie, although the nightmares I was having now were of Kaviathin, and not of masked, mysterious men. A shiver ran through me, and I reached for the bottle, filling up my glass. And now I was here again with Ryzen, when I should be with Cian taking care of him. Annoyance bubbled in my chest and I swallowed it down with my wine.
“How was it with Covington? The trip went well?” I decided to change the topic to something that didn’t involve the way I looked or felt, otherwise I might end up yelling at the top of my lungs.
“Great. Perfect, in fact. He’s ready to sign everything.” Ryzen laid his hand on top of mine. “As soon as we are married.”
I nodded. I’d known this was going to come up again at some point, and I was ready for it. “I think it’s time to move forward too.”
With getting you to confess, that is.
“But Ryzen, I need you to be honest with me.” I was the one gripping his hand now. I needed to push him, get him close to the edge, and the best way to do that was to get him flustered. Because although he tried to portray himself as a strong and powerful man, I knew that when he got flustered, he got sloppy.
He quirked his eyebrow. “About?”
We were silent for a moment as I tried to figure out the best way to approach the topic. My original plan of beating around the bush went right out the window. “Are you working with the Mafia? Did they take me to get back at you?”
His face reddened, and he tried to take his hand from underneath mine, but I gripped him tighter. “Why would you ever ask a question like that, Nova? I’m a reputable businessman. I don’t work with scum like the Mafia.” He yanked his hand away and threw his napkin on the table. “Who put that thought in your little head, huh?”
“Nobody. I was just looking for more info on that Kaviathin man and found some unsettling news. If you’re working with him, then you should tell me before we get married. I have a right to know if I’m going to be in danger because of your work.”
He reached over and gripped my chin. My eyes widened. I had expected him to deny it, but not actually get physical with me. I glanced down at the knife on the table, then back to him.
“And I told you to stop snooping before you get yourself into trouble, Nova. You don’t want to mess with these people.” He let go of my chin and went back to eating.
Ah-ha.
“So youdoknow them?” My leg bounced, moving the table slightly.
“No, I don’t,” he huffed. “But I know enough that you should never dig into the Mafia, or you’re bound to find trouble.” His nostrils flared. He was visibly upset now. I had struck a nerve. Good. That meant that I was getting closer.
I stood and walked behind him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. “I’m sorry if I upset you. But you can trust me, Ryzen. I only want what’s best for you. For us.”
Like prison time.
He shrugged his shoulders so that I would let go of him. “Just… don’t bring it up again, Nova.”
