Page 43 of Trapped

Santino paused. “I can be there in twenty minutes.”

Relief hit me hard. Santino wasn’t the type to leave me hanging. He’d show up, and just knowing that made my chest feel lighter.

“I’m at the hotel right now. I needed a change of scenery.”

“I’ll meet you there and bring you to the event.”

“Where am I going?”

“A charity gala for the Boston Hope Initiative. It’s at a museum on the wharf. Get dressed and meet me downstairs.”

“Alright.”

Santino didn’t say anything for a while. “And if anybody’s bothering you, tell me. I need to know.”

It was easy to fall for Santino’s gestures—the way he protected me, took care of me, made me feel wanted. It was intoxicating. But wasn’t that how it always started? A few whispered promises, and suddenly, I was back in a cage. How long until the man I relied on became another monster?

I wanted to trust Santino, but the more I believed it, the more that voice in my head insisted that I was setting myself up for heartbreak.

I twisted a strand of hair around my finger. “I’m fine.”

He sighed. “See you soon.”

Guilt nagged at me as I hung up.

But then I kept replaying the words of that smug asshole. Dimitri was so sure I’d run back to him. That I hadn’t moved on with another man. I could’ve told him, but the ultimate revenge would be showing him.

I texted the number Dimitri called me from.

I won’t come to you, but I’m willing to meet.

UNKNOWN

Where?

I forwarded the address for the museum.

I would survive. I would find a way to live my life free of Dimitri’s shadow. No matter what it took, I’d never let him control me again.

FIFTEEN

DELILAH

I’d set the bait for Dimitri.

Hopefully, he’d fall into my trap.

I had too many monsters after me. Time to take them out—starting with my ex. It was risky, but it was the only way to confront the bastard. And I wanted to rub Santino in his face.

I stood next to him in the dimly lit museum. I’d dressed to kill: a crimson vintage dress from my private collection, fuck-me pumps, my hair swept up, and jewelry Santino had gifted to me sparkled on my ears and wrists. He hadn’t let go of me since we entered the venue.

“You’re going to give every old man who looks at you a stroke. Always finding ways to make my life harder, aren’t you?”

The heat from his gaze warmed my skin. “Only because you make it so easy.”

“Don’t think I haven’t noticed how much you enjoy dressing up in things I buy for you.” His teasing voice dipped into something darker. “You love that I can’t take my eyes off you.”

Who wouldn’t love that?