Page 75 of Corrupted Pleasure

Fuck. “Davina Hayes.”

Two heartbeats of silence. “I’ll start tomorrow.”

Click.

It was the right move. I knew the women would be safe. Yet, I wasn’t so sure I did right by Davina. I felt directly responsible for getting her wrapped up into this shit. First DiLustros and now the Russians. And to put the icing on the cake, I’d inadvertently put her on her family’s radar. The Ashford family.

Goddamn it!

Gio’s curiosity about Davina was bad news. Everyone knew that DiLustro liked to exploit weaknesses in his enemies. And despite our uneasy truce, we were enemies.

I was worried that the girls had gotten themselves into trouble, and if I didn’t get to the bottom of it, they’d end up in even more trouble. I had to learn what those girls were up to. Both Juliette and Wynter avoided me. My niece even went so far as to send me a message stating I was imagining things in my old age. And then sent an emoji of an old man with a cane. A goddamn cane!

Those girls needed a good timeout, except I’d have to tie them to a chair to ensure that they didn’t bolt instead. And only the fucking saints knew when Wynter and Juliette ganged up on me, all hell broke loose. Unfortunately, I had a feeling they had expanded their forces. Now it included a raven-haired beauty and a red-haired hellion.

“They’ll be safe with him tailing them,” Quinn commented.

“Yes,” I agreed. “Keep throwing breadcrumbs to divert Gio and Angelo elsewhere,” I told Quinn. “Work with Nico if you have to. Wynter will be flying back to California once she's done with her last final at Yale. Juliette will follow her.”

She always did.

“And Davina?” he asked.

“I’ll keep her safe.” Because she was mine.

I turned my attention to my laptop and started reviewing the spreadsheet. Quinn still hadn’t moved.

“What is it, Quinn?” I asked exasperated, never peeling my eyes off the screen. I wanted to be done with the damn spreadsheet. Reviewing numbers and books was my least favorite part. But it needed to be done.

“I’m glad to see you found an interest,” he said, the meaning behind his words didn’t escape me.

“And?” I smirked. I didn’t have to look up to know his next words would be full of smug satisfaction.

“And I’m surprised you still know how to work your dick. It hasn’t shriveled and fallen off, eh?”

I flipped him the bird. “Considering you’re older, fucker, it must mean yours has been long gone.”

“Nah, mine works just fine, you old arse.”

“Get out, Quinn.”

His chuckle rang in the room long after he left.

CHAPTER34

Davina

Iparked Wynter’s Jeep in the underground garage. A row of luxury vehicles lined the entire wall. Wyn’s bright red Jeep was by no means lame, but compared to these cars, it looked ancient. My Honda would look like a pile of junk. The damn thing might be out of commission for the foreseeable future. The repair would cost way more than the car was even worth.

On my way here, I dropped Wynter off at her ballet class with Madame Sylvie, which was halfway here right outside the city. I’d bet her plans encompassed more than just a dance class. She didn’t wear her casual leggings and oversize t-shirt. Instead, she actually blow-dried her hair and pulled it up into a high ponytail, put cropped jeans on and a shimmering pink blouse that offered a glimpse of her bra.

Juliette and Ivy were too lost in their scheming to take over the world by starting a school for mafiosos and the next casino we should rob to notice Wynter got dolled up.

When I dropped her off, there was a slick McLaren sitting in the parking lot with a guy in a three-piece-suit leaning against it. It was the same guy that she asked to wipe out the surveillance. His hands casually in the pockets of his suit, he looked like a gangster from thePeaky Blindersseries, except Italian. And super gorgeous.

He spotted us even before we spotted him, his eyes already on Wynter.

The man had so much sex appeal I could practically taste it. And he only had eyes for Wynter who fucking glowed in the seat next to me. Her smile was so bright, I searched for my sunglasses so I wouldn’t lose my sight.