Page 71 of Final Installment

Irritated by the assured way she rejected him, he snapped, “Dozens of women have wanted what I offer.”

“Dozens of women you’ve paid, probably.”

“Not all of them.”

“And the rest of them?Did they actually want you or your money?Your name?A taste of the powerful mafia boss?”

Fuck me.She was good.She stabbed right at the vulnerable heart of him, calling out his own doubts and fears.“If they did, they were no different than your sister, trying to trap me in a marriage with another man’s baby.”

“She didn’t trap you, and I’m glad she found someone else.She would have been miserable with you!”

“And I would have been happy with her?”He laughed harshly.

“If you had any sense, you would have been!My sister has her MBA!She works in the front office of a major NBA team.She’s not only beautiful.She’s also smart.”She ticked off her sister’s qualities.“If our families hadn’t signed that stupid marriage contract, you would never have had a chance with her.You’re so far beneath her it’s a joke!”

She was right, and it killed him.He hadn’t done anything to earn a woman like Dafina or Elona.He was a high school dropout, a nepo baby who had only barely managed not to fuck everything up.

He could acknowledge that to himself, but he didn’t want to hear it from his enemy.

“You’re cruel, you know that?”He shook his head in disbelief.“You look like this sweet, kind woman, but inside?You’re mean.You’re fucking surgical with your insults.”

"And you’re not?”She dared him to deny it.“You called me a pig.”

“After you called my father a pig,” he pointed out unhelpfully.

She clicked her teeth.“I guess that makes it okay then.”

“No, that’s not what—.”He exhaled roughly and closed the distance between them.To her credit, she didn’t try to run.She stood her ground, her gaze narrowed and mistrusting.“I’m sorry, Elona.I am truly sorry for what I said.I wish I could take it back, but I can’t.”

“And?”

“And we’re stuck together, trying to survive, so I’d like us to not be at each other’s throats!”This close, he could see the vein in her neck jumping to the beat of her heart.He wanted to place his hand on her throat, to let his thumb glide over her pulse.

“Fine.”She shrugged.“Whatever.You’re forgiven.”

He doubted that very much.

“Can we please just go to sleep?I’m exhausted.”She exhaled tiredly, letting her shoulders slump.“I just need a break.”

Feeling guilty, he stepped aside and gestured to the bed.“Sleep on the side closest to the balcony.”

“Why?”

“Because I need to be closest to the door,” he explained matter-of-factly.

She raked her scrutinizing gaze over his body.“I think we’d be safer with me closest to any bad guys who come crashing through that door.”

“Maybe,” he allowed.“I’ve seen you hit a softball.”

She seemed surprised.“Really?”

He nodded.“I looked you up after you gave me that shirt to wear.”

“I’d like that back, by the way.”

“Sorry.I left it in Houston at Devil’s place.”

“I’m not even going to ask who that is.”She got into bed and pulled the covers up over her shoulders.She turned toward the balcony, ending their conversation.