Page 48 of Lord of the Dark

I blinked. "Why would you care?"

"That wasn’t the question." He leaned forward slightly.

"I’m not telling you anything." I crossed my arms, feeling a cold wall rise inside me. "I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, but I sure as hell won’t be the one handing you ammunition to hurt him."

Alessandro let out a quiet scoff. "I can’t hurt Carter more than he’s already hurt himself."

I studied him warily. "What’s that supposed to mean?" Then quickly, before he could push further: "And don’t you dare make him out to be the villain again. He works himself to the bone, barely even comes home anymore."

Alessandro let his gaze slide over me slowly—deliberately long enough to feel like a provocation. "It’s pathetic how reflexively you defend him. As if he’s your ward, not your husband."

"He’s not my husband," I fired back.

"Then why keep up this charade?" He leaned closer, his voice dropping. "Especially when you’re so eager to let me fuck you."

"Shut your stupid mouth." Heat flooded my face—shame and fury tangled together. I jerked my head up, glaring, but the words died in my throat. His grin widened, relishing how exposed he’d left me. And worse, how I had no retort. "Fine," I bit out, desperate to pivot. "You tell me what you think you know about him. Since you’re so well-informed."

"The property valuations he presents to investors? Fake. Grossly inflated. His company has been teetering on the edge for months. And you know how he’s trying to save himself? He’s using his reputation and a few pretty shell companies to move funds—money that’ll never resurface. Shady deals. Dirty partners."

My breath caught. For a moment, I didn’t know whether to laugh or scream. I shot up like I’d been struck. "You vile bastard! You actually think you can manipulate me like this? Do you really believe I don’t see what you’re doing?"

He remained seated. No reaction. Just that gaze, piercing me like an ice pick. "Sit down," he said calmly.

I hissed. "Forget it. You’ve lost your damn mind."

"Fiona." He pointed at the chair I’d leapt from. "Sit. Down. Now."

"Asshole." Something in his voice made me hesitate. My heart raced. "You don’t even know him!"

"Sit. The fuck. Down." His eyes locked onto mine. "And shut your mouth."

I fell silent. Sat reluctantly. Ready to hate him.

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

I glared, pulse hammering.

After two rings, Carter’s voice crackled through. "Russo. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Shit." My boyfriend apparently knew my half-naked lover lounging in front of me far better than I'd ever realized.

"Just confirming everything's prepared for our meeting," Alessandro began in that lethally professional tone that radiated pure authority. "The financing isn't presenting any difficulties, I trust?"

A long pause. Carter's voice stuttered briefly before recovering. "No, everything's on track. I've already ensured there won't be any issues."

Tears burned my eyes as I heard the uncertainty in Carter's voice. But the worst part? Alessandro had been telling the truth all along. And I'd been completely blind to Carter's troubles.

"Good," he replied, a cold smile flickering across his face. "I'd heard there were some... challenges."

I pressed my hand to my mouth in horror.

"That was before," Carter insisted, but his voice trembled unmistakably. This wasn’t the man I knew. "The situation is stable now. Mr. Sorrentino is a crucial investor for me. Mr. Russo... thank you again for your participation in the project. It’s made things significantly easier."

Wait—what? Project participation? Investor?

"Good to hear, Carter." Alessandro held my gaze. "I place great importance on our business running smoothly." He didn’t wait for a reply, ending the call with a tap of his thumb and setting the phone down on the side table with triumphant calm.

"You’re such a colossal asshole," I spat, gasping for air.