Page 79 of The Gangster King

I’m not interested in the slightest, but I eye her outfit and make a plan.

“I’d love to.” Her eyes brighten and she scoops up her full black skirt, hands her drink to someone and, with her mask clutched in her fingers, grins at me as she threads her arm through mine.

“Jesus,” Jono mutters behind us.

My heart thuds, but I keep a smile plastered on my face.

“I’ll wait out here. Five minutes.” Jono growls, and I shoot him a dark look.

Asshole.

I’ve known him for years and, yes, I know he has to obey orders, but it’s just another reason I hate this world. Holding a woman without her consent is fucking disgusting.

Not to mention illegal.

Not that anyone in this world cares about that. They all live by different rules. Even if I told Jessica what was going on, she would just pity me and carry on with her evening.

“You and Dante.” She winks, and I shrug, then bring up the honeymoon.

Jess forgets all about me and starts to describe the Maldives, how long they were there, the foods they ate, how much sex they had.

We push through the door to the restroom, and I try to remember all my fighting moves that my father made me take when I was a teenager.

A slither of guilt runs through me knowing I’m going to leave Jessica with a headache and a healthy dose of shame. But this is my life we’re talking about.

I need to get out of here.

Tonight you will sleep in my bed. Not as my prisoner, but as the woman I love.

Dante loves me?

He was going to propose...

If I’d said yes, I would have had a ring on my finger in less than a day.

He’s serious about keeping me and never letting me go. Which is why I need to run.

My kiss was goodbye.

Two days ago I probably would’ve bitten the asshole, but tonight...tonight I felt my heartache as I gazed upon his face for the last time.

One day, and I don’t know when, I know I will see his face on the news and learn that he’s dead.

Killed.

Assassinated.

Or possibly the death penalty.

Men in my world always have a mark on their back.

It will hurt me enough to hear it now than if I gave my heart and life to the infuriating man.

I wonder about the other man on the balcony with Dante. Was that Gianna’s guy? Is he going to kill him?

I hesitate and force myself to continue with my plans.

I can’t protect him, but he can control me.