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I’ll find out soon enough.

Until then, I do what’s expected of me. Stand in the back. Scan the crowds.

One man stands out over the rest. Alessandro Caruso, leader of the Cosa Nostra. A seventy-year-old, six-foot-four man with thick black hair. Small brown eyes.

Almost twenty-two years ago, he had a bidding war with Maxim Morozov, then the head of the Bratva. A bid for my virgin sacrifice. He drank too much. He lost.

He isn’t drinking tonight.

Judging by the severe set of his jaw, he won’t let it happen again. He’s going to outbid everyone in the room. Leave this place with one of the two sacrifices.

It’s good that he’s here. Means he has no idea that I embarrassed Morozov by sending a man to kidnap my sacrifice the same night. A man no one could ever trace back to me took her, and that was that.

What isn’t good is that he might not be leaving this place alone.

He could be walking out of here withher.

I imagine Ophelia’s arm looped around his. Forced to be there. Despite the warnings we issued, she won’t go down easily. She won’t let anyone carry her away.

She won’t wait for my man to save her.

She doesn’t know anyone’s coming for her.

And she’ll be punished for it. Here, in front of all these people. Where I can’t do anything about it.

Sharp pain slashes through my temples.

He might force her to her knees if she curses and tries to run like she did earlier today. Five people surrounded her, and she tried to run. Proud and furious.

Blood rushes between my ears, drowning out the rest of the world.

Oliver comes up to me and talks about nothing, really. People approach us and shake our hands.

The mayor. He brought his wife along. They’re looking for a long-time playmate or some bullshit.

All background noise.

The memories of Ophelia consume me.

She was about to spill our secret to Topher. She was bold and fearless as she prepared herself to go through with it. Exceptionally beautiful as she glowered at me. As her eyes issued numerous threats.

She was naked. Bare. Spread.

Still, she challenged me.

It got my dick hard. Had my head going in the absolutely wrong direction.

I don’t need a woman in my life.

If I want someone for a quick fuck, all I have to do is pick up the phone. Which I haven’t done, ever. I could also go to a bar or I don’t know, any fucking way. But no. I’ve been on my own for a while.

Sex is a distraction.

I don’t need it.

Don’t need her.

I don’t.