Page 42 of Devil's Game

“You wouldn’t.”

“I’m heading out right now.” His keys jingled in the background, followed by his booming footsteps and the squeakof door hinges. “I’ll see you tonight, little devil. Don’t forget to wear something for me. The store already has my card on file.”

I frowned at the men outside. Were they seriously reporting back my every movement to him?

“Merrick. I can pay for it myself.”

“Giana. I’ve already called them and told them to put it on my account.”

I knew this would go on forever. I was stubborn, but Merrick was in a category all of his own.

The guys had already set me up with my own bank account—one that was mine and mine alone. They wouldn’t be able to access it for any reason, and I knew they wouldn’t. I trusted them completely, but I would be lying if I didn’t say it had put my mind at ease. The constant anxiety and fear that loomed over me while I’d been with Tommaso was gone now.

They had already transferred money into it—way too much money, if I was being honest. At this rate, it might make more financial sense for Merrick to keep his accountant, but I knew he’d do this either way, and I wanted to help them. Wanted to use my expertise to contribute, to feel like I hadn’t wasted the last six years in New York, that I had actually learned something during my time at school and in the corporate world.

“Fine.” I sighed.

“Don’t pout.”

Was he watching me?

I glanced around the store, my eyes narrowing as they locked on a security camera conveniently facing me.

That asshole.

Oh, I would get my payback tonight.

“Are you seriously watching me?”

“Maybe,” he admitted noncommittally. “I couldn’t resist. You just came back to us. You’re like a drug, Giana. I can only go a few hours without seeing your gorgeous face.”

I sighed . . . okay, more like swooned. These men—what the hell were they doing to me?

A goofy grin spread on my lips, and I blew a kiss at the camera, dropping my shoulder slightly so that the strap of my tank top slipped down, revealing a hint of the curve of my breast.

“Troublemaker,” he growled, sending a wave of heat through my veins. “No one else gets to see you like that.”

“I’ll see you tonight,” I teased, slowly fixing my strap, knowing he was intently watching every move I made. “And make sure you win, otherwise this will be as much as you get to see tonight.”

I quickly hung up before he could say another word and blew one last kiss at the camera before walking back over to Sophia. I even made sure to put an extra sway in my step, just to tease him even further.

Two could play that game.

“It looks like you’re getting your wish sooner than expected.” I grinned, plucking a tight red dress from a rack and adding it to my pile.

“I told you not to bring up the training.” She groaned, rolling her head back dramatically. “Okay, rip off the Band-Aid. How many extra jumping jacks am I going to have to suffer through because of you?”

“A hundred, but that’s not what I was talking about.”

“A hundred?” she sputtered, wobbling on her feet slightly, as though the number was about to knock her back onto her ass. “What?”

My lips twitched as I barely held back my laughter. “Focus, Soph.”

“I am focused. Focused on all the extra exercise your big mouth earned me.” She glared daggers at me. Her forehead scrunched up with the look, coaxing a snort of laughter out before I could stop myself.

“As I was trying to say,” I said, quickly regaining some of my composure. “Your wish is about to come true.

“What wish?” She huffed, about to cross her arms in front of her chest before she thought better of it, apparently remembering what happened the last time she tried that.

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