Page 109 of Gamble with Me

“That makes two of us.” Zyon grinned, pecking my nose.

“Three,” I exhaled, wrapping my arms around his middle and resting my face against his firm chest. He enveloped me in a comforting embrace, erasing the terrible memories of the last night.

“I have to go,” he whispered into my hair, frustration sneaking into his deep voice. “They won’t leave me alone until my alibi is confirmed.”

“Alibi?” I pulled away, observing his handsome face. “Zyon, what have you done?”

“I don’t want to lie to you, mon cœur.” He cupped my cheeks with his large palms, forcing our gazes together. “There are things involving me you will never know. It’s safer for you and Zara to be left out of this business.”

“Chester left me out, too, and look how it turned out,” I said, unsure what I expected from him. I knew who he was and that his line of work didn’t correspond with social standards.

“It’s the cleverest thing he could do, Valeria,” Zyon objected, resting his forehead against mine. “If I fall, I don’t want you girls to fall with me, too. I promise to tell you everything I can, but some things must stay hidden. For your and Zara’s safety.”

“No lies?” I whispered, moving my hands mindlessly up and down his torso. It was calming to my tense nerves to feel him so close. His soothing effect on me was immense.

“No lies or half-truths,” he confirmed. “I either tell you everything or nothing. I’m sorry, but it has to be this way.”

“Okay,” I whispered, not at all happy about his development. I understood his reason—this was exactly why he created a secret stalker identity—yet it still hurt me that I couldn’t be part of his life completely.

On the other hand, did I want it? He was a mob boss involved with dangerous people. It was better this way.

“I’ll do my best to be back for dinner,” Zyon mumbled against my cheek. “They don’t have enough to keep me there longer.”

“Just be careful,” I pleaded, clutching his suit jacket. “Chester will want revenge.”

“I know, mon cœur. I’ll be careful.”

He sealed his words with a passionate kiss and reluctantly left the house. I stayed in the living room, hearing Zara and Alice laughing in the kitchen, but I needed a moment alone.

My emotions and thoughts were like a tornado swirling in my chest. Everything fell on me like a boulder. The fear for Zyon doing God knew what, for Lisa, who didn’t return my calls, and for myself because I had no clue if I could live the life with a man whose life was constantly endangered, but he kept me in the dark.

I needed a break, something that would change the course of my thinking. I deserved a little piece of happiness and fun, and I just had a great idea. Throwing the file with divorce papers on the couch, I walked into the kitchen, smiling.

“What about a day at the swimming pool?” I suggested, earning a squeal from Zara.

“We can?” Her eyes glowed with excitement as she stared expectantly at me.

“Of course we can,” I confirmed, stretching my arm to help her from the high stool. “Zyon said it’s our house, too. Why not make a little mess?”

“I’ll make margaritas,” Alice chirped, immediately attacking the cabinet in the living room where she found costly alcohol.

“But we don’t have swimsuits.” Zara frowned at me, and my expression matched hers because I didn’t think about this minor detail.

“Let’s try to find something,” I said, rushing her up the stairs into the bedroom where we spent the night.

Exactly as I presumed, Zyon had taken care of everything. The walk-in closet was full of clothes for numerous occasions, and in the bottom drawer, I found the bikinis as well. I examined it from every angle, musing how to cover the bruises on my back and legs. Thankfully, Zara discovered a long, colorful skirt that matched the bikini perfectly and hid the remains of Chester’slove.

We found things for Zara in another room, and we were ready for a party.

“I have three more pairs of bikinis upstairs,” I said to Alice, who scoffed.

“In which universe will your bra look normal on me?” She laughed, handing me a drink with a tiny purple umbrella.

“Where did you find this?” I asked, taking a sip of a green liquid. It was strong and deliciously cold.

“I think Zyon has everything here.” She shrugged, opening the counter where four boxes of different cereals sat. “It looks like he worries you won’t like it here.”

“I love it,” I whispered, slightly embarrassed about feeling so homey in this strange, monstrous, luxurious house. “I just hope Zara will feel the same.”