Page 119 of Madness & Mercy

I grin and lean in until my lips are at his ear. “You admitted it’s not because of my skills in bed,” I whisper, and feel the way his whole body tenses. “So what is it then? You beenwatching mefuck women all these years?”

His ears go red, hot against my cheek.Busted.

“Mmm,” I hum, dragging it out. “That’s right. Now I remember what you said that night. You knew my name, my routine, my address. You even knew where I fucked…”

I tilt my head, smiling slow.

“But you conveniently left outwhoI fucked.”

He freezes, his lip caught between his teeth like he’s debating whether to lie or stay silent. I pull back just enough to see his face. He doesn’t say a word.

Yeah. That’s what I thought.

“Tell me something, Julian,” I murmur, low and amused. “Did you enjoy watching me fuck women? Did you picture it wasyouunderneath me instead?”

He flinches, just barely, but it’s enough.

I should stop. I won’t. This is way too much fun.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” he mutters, his voice rough. “It wasn’t like that.”

“Sure,” I say. “You hard right now because I’m flattering myself, or because you’re still playing out that fantasy in your head?”

There’s that scowl. Fuck, I love that expression.

“Go to hell,” he grits out.

I chuckle, reaching for the door handle.

“Already there,cucciolo. You’re riding shotgun.”

I step out of the car and walk around to his side, popping the door open and offering him a hand, just to piss him off.

Julian slaps my hand away like I burned him. “Fuck off.”

He steps out, already pulling that mask back on. The cold, sharp-edged version of himself he thinks keeps people out. But I’ve already seen what’s underneath. He can’t hide that from me anymore.

We approach the others. Luca’s leaning against the Benz, arms folded, looking like he’s two seconds from starting a fight just for fun. Enzo’s lounging on his bike, spinning a butterflyknife in lazy circles. They straighten up when they see us, eyes flicking from Julian to me and back.

Yeah.They know.

I never said a word, but I’m not stupid. Luca’s not either. I see it in the way he studies Julian, like he’s trying to figure out how deep this shit goes. How far I’ve already let it spiral. And Enzo, that smug fucker, he’s justwaitingfor someone to say it out loud.

“Didn’t know you were bringinghimalong,” Luca mutters.

Julian’s jaw tightens. He steps in before I can even open my mouth.

“You got a problem with me, say it to my face.”

Luca arches a brow. “Didn’t say I had a problem.”

“You didn’t have to,” Julian snaps.

I let it simmer a second. Julian’s bristling like a feral cat, and Luca looks like he’s one comment away from mentioning the dirt he dug up on Julian. I see it flash in his eyes… he wants to say it. Wants to ask why the hell I’d bring someone like Julian on a job like this.

But I give him a look that saysnot a fucking word.

Luca holds my gaze for a beat too long, then looks away. Smart man.