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And then Sam curls the two fingers inside me, hitting a spot only he’s been able to reach. Pleasure ricochets through my body as I cry out, coating me in warmth. It's the biggest release I've ever felt, and he continues his ministrations, dragging out the feeling as my screams echo through the bar.

When he finally finishes, I collapse on the wood surface, my body melted into a puddle. Sam drags my pants up my legs before scooping me into his arms. He carries me out of the bar as I nuzzle into his chest, lost in the sensations. And then he holds me in the back seat of the car as his driver takes us home.

And for a moment, I let myself believe that this is how it's supposed to be.

THIRTY-FIVE

Olivia

"Get dressed." It's early Saturday afternoon when Sam interrupts my reading in the courtyard.

"You have got to stop doing that." I place a bookmark between the pages. "You can just waltz in, demanding I get dressed."

A smirk lifts his lips. "We have a wedding to go to."

I sit up straighter. "First a funeral and now a wedding?"

"We need some happier times." Sam shrugs. "Come, we're leaving soon."

I stare at Sam, bewildered. "Well, whose wedding?"

"John and Zoe." He runs his hand through his hair, a gesture I've come to recognize when he's trying to appear casual about something important. "My cousin and his fiancée."

"And you want me to go with you?" I ask, closing my book completely. "As what, exactly? Your hostage plus-one?"

Sam's expression darkens slightly. "As my date, Olivia."

My heart does a traitorous little flip. I hate how my body reacts to him, how easily I forget that I'm here against my will when he looks at me like that.

"I don't have anything to wear to a wedding," I say, trying to sound practical rather than flustered.

"Already taken care of." He checks his watch. "Ana laid out some options in your room. We leave in an hour."

Upstairs, I find three stunning dresses laid across my bed — one emerald green, one midnight blue, and one in a soft blush pink. Each looks more expensive than anything I've ever owned. I run my fingers over the silky fabric of the green one, imagining how it would feel against my skin.

As I try them on, I catch my reflection in the mirror and barely recognize myself. The emerald dress hugs my curves perfectly, making my eyes look brighter, my skin more luminous. For a moment, I allow myself to pretend this is normal, that I'm just getting ready for a date with a handsome man, not preparing to attend a wedding with the mob boss who's keeping me captive. Even if we have already blurred the lines between captor and captive…

When I descend the stairs, Sam is waiting in the foyer. His eyes darken as they travel from my face down to my shoes and back up again, lingering in places that make heat bloom across my skin.

"You look beautiful," he says, his voice low.

"Thank you." I smooth my hands over the emerald dress, suddenly nervous. "So, this wedding... Am I supposed to know anything? Or anyone?"

"Just stay close to me." He offers his arm. "You'll be fine."

As we walk to the car, I wonder what I'm getting myself into. A mob wedding. Another glimpse into Sam's world, a world I should want nothing to do with but find myself increasingly curious about.

"Olivia!"I'm relieved to see friendly faces when we arrive at the restaurant. Madi tugs me free from Sam's grip and pulls me into a warm hug. Next to her, Lana waits her turn before embracing me as well.

"How are you doing?" Lana asks, her eyes searching mine with genuine concern.

"I'm fine," I say automatically, then catch myself. "I mean, it's complicated."

Madi loops her arm through mine. "We need girl talk. Now." She glances at Sam. "We're stealing her."

Sam's jaw tightens, but he nods once. "Don't be long. The ceremony starts soon."

Madi leads me to a quiet corner of the venue's garden, with Lana following close behind. The moment we're out of earshot, they both turn to me.