Page 133 of He Should Be Mine

“Have you been a good boy?” drawls Riccardo.

“Yes, Daddy.”

I down the double shot of whisky that was going to be for Riccardo, in a swift gulp. With shaking hands, I set out another glass.

“You would say that,” says Riccardo. “Dario, has Molly been good?”

I whirl around to face him. He smirks at me. I stride across the room and thrust the drink at him.

“Yes,” I rumble.

Riccardo laughs and takes the drink. His other hand is around Molly. It is taking all of my will-power not to look properly. Even out of the corner of my eye, the image is threatening to destroy me.

“I was going to take you out, Baby, but you are so pretty, I might just have to do you right now.”

My jaw clenches.

Molly giggles.

God help me. Please, I beseech you. Give me the strength I need.

I inhale deeply through my nose. The future. I have to think of the future. Picture Molly on our wedding day.

Just a few more weeks.

Calm flows through me. I want that future with every single atom of my soul. I will do anything, absolutely anything, to achieve it. Including bearing this. I will not be stupid and get Molly killed.

You don’t kill the ones you love.

I can do this.

I stroll over to the sofa and sit down. I sip my whiskey. I pretend that I don’t know that Riccardo has his hand on Molly’s ass.

Molly makes a noise and wriggles closer to Riccardo.

“Take me to bed, Daddy,” he purrs.

Riccardo places the drink I gave him on the breakfast bar. He squeezes Molly’s ass with both hands.

“So impatient.”

“Because I need you,” says Molly.

Lying for me again. Putting his safety at risk for me again. I know damn well he is trying to get Riccardo into his bedroom to save me from the agony of having to watch this.

Molly is walking a precarious line, balancing the needs of two volatile men. It is deeply unfair. He shouldn’t have to do this.

He steps towards his room, tugging Riccardo with him. Riccardo straightens and slaps Molly’s hand away.

“Don’t pull me around!”

“Sorry, Daddy.”

My teeth clench at the sound of Molly’s meekness.

“Dario has seen it all before. No need to be shy.”

I look at him, because I have to. He is speaking to me and I can’t ignore him. His green eyes glitter coldly. His expression is pure malevolence. Cruel and gleeful.