Page 140 of Forgotten Sacrifice

The two shake hands, and the game begins.

Luna reaches across the board with her bare arm, and winor lose, I could never be more proud of this girl than I am right now.

Chess pieces fly, and I can barely keep up with what’s happening. Luna jumps out of her chair in excitement, with a stunned Wesley holding his hands on top of his head.

“I can’t believe what we just witnessed. Barone has defeated Morrell in four moves. Morrell fell for the fork!”

“A beginner’s opening trap. I’m stunned into silence.”

“Unbelievable.”

“Chef, we need to begin service.”

“Coming.” I call, wiping the tears from my eye.

Luna

Composing myself, I lean across the board with my hand extended, and Wesley and I shake. “Tell your girlfriend the fish fork strikes again,” I whisper.

It’s a blur of paperwork and photographs and reporters’ questions before I’m presented the trophy. The one million grand prize will soon be hitting my bank account, and on the rating board, number 1 is now next to my name and GM designation.

And all I feel is…nothing.

I’m jet lagged. My hair’s nappy. And I’m pissy. A dangerous combination.

I lurk by the dumpster until a cook steps out for a smoke break. The door’s ajar, and I sneak inside. Vince’s back is to me, and I tiptoe behind him, bringing a fork to his jugular.

Spinning around, he grabs my wrist, easily overpowering me, and the fork falls to the floor.

“Luna,” he says softly.

“This was my dream! Everything I’ve ever wanted. And you had to go ruining it by being right!” Hot tears spill down my cheeks.

“Everybody out!” Vince shouts, and I’m just now realizing we have an audience. The kitchen clears out, and he swipes my angry tears with his thumbs. “How was I right,piccola?”

“I made it to the top, and there’s nothing there. Not without you,” I whisper.

He cradles the back of my neck, pulling me closer. “Luna,” he says my name like a prayer. “Kiss me like you hate me.”

Our lips collide, and I claw at his chest, wanting him closer. He obliges, lifting me by the hips and sitting me on the counter as he devours my mouth. Or maybe it’s me who’s devouring his mouth.

Tongues flicking against each others, it’s wild and passionate and desperate and beautiful.Reckless abandon.

“What?” Vince asks against my lips, and I didn’t realize I spoke out loud.

My cheeks heat as I pull back. “You have new ink.” Examining his right hand,Bella Chaosis written over his thumb, curving into the side of his index finger.

“When I’m cooking, I’ll always be reminded who pushed me to live my dream. The girl who upended my life and clawed out my heart.Ti amo, beautiful chaos.”

“Vince,” I whisper, tugging at his T-shirt. “I need you.”

He shrugs his shirt over his head and tosses it to the counter.

My hands go to his chest, but I pause, noticing something else. His dead wolves have been laser removed from his right arm, replaced by a single yellow rose. “We’re not friends, Vince.”

He grabs my cheeks, cradling my face. “Never could’ve been. I’m far too obsessed with you,cuccidone mio.”

My big love.