Page 5 of Depraved

Warm breath sends goose bumps up my neck, and I grin. Sneaky.

“You look stunning tonight.”

I stop mid-sip, realizing it’s not Dante behind me. Pivoting and taking a step back, I’m met with a familiar face. A client of Church, a very prominent CEO of a telecommunications company and the pig that’s been sniffing around me for months.

No matter how many times I say I’m not interested, this guy’s stayed persistent. I could tell Dom and Luca; they would kick him out…or maybe worse. But I won’t, because I can handle him myself.

I’m not the kind of girl who needs rescuing. Never have been.

“It’s nice to see you, Bill, but I don’t remember you being on the guest list,” I reply snidely, rolling my eyes and turning to the side, effectively dismissing him.

“I wasn’t,” he answers with an amused laugh at my dig. “I was passing by, coincidentally, and thought I’d pop in and say congratulations.”

“Well then, I’ll let you get to it,” I answer, turning my head toward him, but when I turn away, I’m met with a scowling Dante glaring at me.Uh-oh, Bill.

I can see exactly what Dante’s thinking, and a small, mean part of me thinks I should just wait. Let it all play out and watch Bill dig his own grave.

Men like Dante don’t show favor to thieves. And for tonight, he’s made it clear to everyone in the room that I’m his for the taking.

I haven’t missed the signs. You’d have to be blind for them to go unseen.

It’s been the most barbaric, power-driven foreplay I’ve ever experienced. Each time I turned someone down, he gave me his approval. I watched his intentions blister his face every time someone leaned in too close or brushed my shoulder.

And every time a man mentioned my name to him, I could tell, because they would always look at me one last time before pretending I didn’t exist.

They weren’t allowed to consider me anymore. Not after Dante said so.

I’ve loved every minute of it. Because for tonight, I want to be owned.

My unwelcome guest puts his hand on my waist, causing my head to swing down to where he’s touching me. I look at his smug face with irritation and smirk.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Bill.”

“Why? Do you bite? Because you know I like that…” he whispers, tugging me in toward him.

Dick.

“No. But he does.” I point, watching Bill’s face drop as a very pissed-off Dante stalks toward us.

Bill’s hand falls from my waist, and I reach down to smooth out the fabric.

“I’d get going before he gets here,” I offer, taking another sip of my wine.

He nods, stepping backward before turning to head to the door as I smile against my wineglass.

Dante slows as he approaches me, glowering over at where Bill is leaving the bar. “Someone I need to kill?”

“No, tough guy.” I laugh into his amused face.

His eyes crinkle in the corners as he grins down at me, taking the wineglass from my hand.

“Tell me something, beautiful. How come you turned down everyone who asked you to dance tonight?”

His tongue darts out, running along his bottom lip as he traces his fingers softly down my arms and over the top of my hand, intertwining our fingers.

I stay planted in my spot as he takes a step backward.

“How come, Sarah?” he growls, pulling me forward, forcing me to take a step closer.