Page 159 of Ruin Me With Lies

Or something...“I had a taste of the Castello drug and now I’m hooked.I just need a fix.”

There’s open distrust in his eyes now as he watches me for a beat longer.Calm and quiet, he gets up and walks away, disappearing into the bathroom.

At the sound of running water, I accept that I won’t be getting more of him tonight, then get down from the table, pick up my robe, and shrug it back on.

When he returns a few moments later, I say, “Prinsesstårta.”

He adjusts his cufflinks.“What?”

“My favorite treat back home is Prinsesstårta.And I’ve been craving it.”I sweep my hair back.“Bring me a slice the next time you come see me, yes?”

“Uh…yeah.Sure.”He smooths out his sleeves, distracted.“That’s a pastry or something?”

“One more thing...”I walk up to him, wrap my arms around his neck, and tilt my face up.“Kiss me.”

There’s a momentary pause, a dip between his brows, but then his hands are on me, cradling my neck, thumbs brushing along my jaw.A spark in his eyes, a restrained eagerness, like he’s been waiting for this.

As his lips descend, my eyes flutter closed and a soft, sad sigh escapes me.His breath warms my quivering lips, and I wait...for the touch of his lips against mine.But it never comes.

Bewildered, I open my eyes and find him watching me, a sincere earnestness in his depths.An honest look I’ve never seen from him before.“Stay, Raya.”He brushes the pad of his thumb along my cheek.“Stay.”

Why must he be so damn perceptive?

“Am I notconfinedhere?”I slide on a half-hearted smile.“What do you think I’m going to do, jump out the window to my death?”

He shakes his head, and he seems so defeated in this moment.“I’m under no illusion that these walls or those men out there are keeping you here.I see you, little liar.No matter what mask you wear, what accent you use, what emotion you fake...I seeyou.”

With that, he removes my hands from around his neck, steps back from me, then turns and starts for the door.His hand is almost on the handle when I call his name.

He stops, but only turns his head slightly in acknowledgment.

“Most women want the man who would burn the world down to save them,” I say.“But I’m not one of them.No matter what happens, remember what I told you about what makes you attractive to me.Keep beingthatman.Always.Because I seeyou, too, Stefano.”

Silence stretches and expands between us.So much being said without words.

Voice gruff, low and surrendering, he says, “If there’s anyone who could make me do the opposite of everything I swore I’d never do…it’syou,Delilah.”He looks over his shoulder at me.“For the love of everything holy...don’tmake me become the man who burns the world down to save a damn girl.Because I’m so fucking gone for you, pretty liar, I don’t trust myself not to risk it all to keep you.”A bitter, humorless laugh snaps out of him.“And I don’t even know your fucking name.”

With that, he opens the door and walks out.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Raya

AROUND TWENTY HOURS LATER, the door beeps open and Luca strolls in with his trademark crooked grin.“Hey, smart girl.”

“You’re visiting mewithoutfood?”I straighten up from where I’m sitting by the window and rub behind my ear.“I thought you were my friend, Luca.”

“That’s because I’m here to do you one better.”He winks.“Bust you up outta here.”

“Uh…” I shake my head.“Yeah, I think I’ll pass.I don’t like you enough to die with you.”

He laughs and flops down on the bed.“Nah, just kidding.I’m here to take you back to the villa.Boss’s orders.”

Oh…Oh…”Really?”

“Yup.The Uppers came through for you.”He snaps his fingers.“Chop chop.Pack it up, smart girl.There may or may not be a surprise for you at Brioso Hubb…”

Most certainly may not…“I hope it’s a feast, because I’m famished.”