Page 222 of Ruin Me With Lies

Sure, there are off days.Days I wake up craving her so badly it feels like a fist to the chest.A hollow ache that doesn’t quit.Hits like a hammer, unexpectedly and off guard.

On those days, I mope and stay in.Or I take it out on anyone unlucky enough to be near me.But those off days are rare now.Few and far between.

For the most part,I’m back.Fully locked in.Nurturing the empire, building partnerships, strengthening alliances.

All while keeping my eyes sharp.Always searching…for a clue, a sign, a silent message from her.Anything.

Gio and Lorenzo think I’m in denial.That I should accept she’s gone.Move on.

But there’s no moving on.Soraya was the start of my life.And she’ll be the end of it.

~

AFTER TWO YEARSof work, phase one of the Volador projects with the Koreans is ready to launch.A series of entertainment ventures aimed at redefining the Vegas experience.It’s shaping up to be one of the most electrifying projects I’ve ever partnered on.A true game-changer.

The official unveiling is set for tomorrow.Tonight’s the private pre-launch celebration for the faces behind the curtain, and I arrive with Mayor Lucy Rainford on my arm.Black ties and evening gowns fill the room, champagne flowing.Conversations buzz with insider jokes, calculated small talk and subtle power plays.I’d rather be anywhere else, but showing up is nonnegotiable.It’s business.

Lucy strokes my arm as we drift around the room, from one circle of chitchat to the next.She leans in and brushes her nose against my jaw.“How about we end the celebration at my place?”

“I’m good.”

Her long nails dig lightly into my bicep.“Are we really never going to fuck again?”

“That’s right.”I glance pointedly at the diamond-studded choker around her neck and sip my champagne.“You’re my pet now, remember?You come when I call, and do what I tell you.”

She rolls her lips and nods.“It’s more mercy than I deserve.I understand that.I just don’t see why sex can’t be part of my punishment, too.I’m even down for a little degradation and defilement, if that helps.”

“I don’t stick my cock in women I can’t trust.”

Not true.I’m just not interested in fucking anyone who isn’t my little liar.

“Hate fuck can be fun, Castello.”

“Be quiet.”

Against sound advice, and my own better judgment, I kept her alive after Vale’s failed coup.Not out of care or emotion, but pity.

Before her betrayal, we had a thing for a while.Developed a quasi-friendship built on blunt honesty.I know her.

At her core, she’s genuine.Just naive and inexperienced in this game.She ran for mayor without understanding the brutal calculus of real power.Didn’t realize how dirty it gets at the top, that there’s no keeping her hands clean.And when the war came, she tried to play both sides to survive.It wasn’t malice, it was fear.Desperation to stay alive in a world that doesn’t forgive weakness.

Knowing that, I made a different call.Instead of sending her to the grave, I made her my pet.Not to punish her, as she believes, but to drill one cardinal lesson into her tender brain: in this business, there are no gray areas.No straddling the line.You pick a side, and you stay fucking loyal.Uncompromisingly loyal.

Now, even as mayor, she does nothing without my approval.Every decision goes through me.But the frustrating irony is that she’senjoyingbeing my pet.Gets off on being under my control.

Which means she’s not learning a damn thing.

A tall brunette server glides past with a tray of finger foods, and the rich warm glow from the opulent chandelier above hits the gold necklace at her throat, grabbing my attention.

My pulse quickens, spine going cold.

A “444” pendant.

“Be right back,” I mutter to Lucy, hurrying after the server.

As I weave between tuxedos and gowns, another server crosses my path.Skinny guy.Bulbous nose.Something glints on his vest.A gold lapel pin of a lion’s head with 444 in its mouth.

I grab his arm, and he jerks to a stop, turning fast.His annoyed frown vanishes the second he sees me, his voice quick and apologetic as he rushes out, “I’m sorry, Mr.Castello, I—”