Page 47 of Saving You Losing Me

Understanding dawns in Razor’s eyes. “I see.”

I lean back. “Word is, Lucy is in love with the scumbag and when she realized he would never leave his wife, she quit.Sydney left town to find her family and Lucy is filling in at the studio. Now Riley is no longer protecting her Michael considers her the perfect replacement for Sydney who was his first choice.”

Razor chuckles. “He must have been pissed when she skipped town. I would have loved to see his face.”

Michael Santobello coerces all of the attractive women in town to work on their backs for him to inflate his ever-increasing millions. Sydney was prettier than most and so when she left town with some guy, I was happy for her. Now her friend is paying the price, but that isn’t why I’m interested.

“The bodyguard.”

Razor nods. “You want to check him out?”

“He’s a visiting biker. We owe it to him to issue a warning.”

“When?”

“Grady told me he’s babysitting Lucy while she works at the dance club. There is no time like the present.”

“Consider it done.”

Razor knocks back the bourbon and grins. “Fuck, I hope he resists. I need a workout tonight.”

It drags a smile from my lips because Razor prides himself on his battle skills and loves a good workout, consisting of punching the lights out of an unsuspecting victim who doesn’t heed warnings.

He heads off to rally the troops and I down my own shot, relishing the burn as it stokes my cruelty.

Michael may be the feared mob boss in town, but we are the untouchables. He doesn’t interfere with us and we offer him the same courtesy. It’s an unspoken arrangement, and just for the record, I hate the arrangement.

I want to burn his empire to the ground because I hate what it stands for, but there is one thing stopping me.His wife.

My heart still twists at the reminder of that woman and it has been the best and worst ten years of my life.

I’ve watched her from afar. Mrs. Clara Santobello. The pampered wife of the wealthiest man in the state. Living in the biggest mansion, chauffeur-driven cars and all the fancy goods money can buy. They have a family. Two beautiful daughters. Innocent, beautiful little girls who live a pampered life unaware their father is the devil.

Michael has what I wanted once. The woman, the family and the happiness.

Now all I have are bitter memories of what could have been if I was considered good enough for her.

But she chose him over me which is a wound that will never heal, so I lose myself in willing women, making up for all the time I wasted in waiting for one particular one. Now I tear through them with no regard for their emotions. They want me, but I don’t want them. They can have access to my cock and nothing else. I don’t do relationships and I never will. She tore out my heart and I no longer give a fuck.

CHAPTER 25

CLARA

The girls are excited. Today is dance club and of all the clubs they belong to this one is their favorite.

It’s also mine because these are the times I get to drive the girls myself. If I go anywhere with Michael, we are driven by his chauffeur. If I attend charity functions or lunch gatherings, or even shop, I am driven. But I won a rare battle when the girls expressed an interest in clubs by persuading Michael that I should drive so as not to draw attention to them. Other children can be so cruel and would single them out. They would be bullied and despite the nature of his business, he cannot intimidate three and five years olds not to touch his girls.

So, I get to drive us in the huge SUV he ordered, and it’s the one time I can pretend I’m my own woman.

As I park, I notice Emilio’s car parked outside the diner and my heart sinks. Great. Just what I need.

Sophia says with excitement. “I wonder if Sydney will be there. I love her.”

Maria giggles. “Me too. I like Lucy too, though.”

My heart softens because Maria is the kinder of the two girls and hates anyone to feel second best. She may only be three years old but already I sense her gentler soul, which offers mea flicker of hope that she will keep it before her father’s world destroys her illusions.

“It’s Lucy!” Sophia squeals, causing Maria to clap her hands. “Yay. Can we go and say hi mommy?”

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