Page 169 of Inferno

She looks up with defiance in her eyes.

“No, Declan. You’ll have to kill me before I become another man’s property.“

She rips her hand away, and that pain etched on her face is like a slap.

She might be able to get a read on me, but I can on her too.

This concerning connection between us goes both ways.

Wrapping my arm around her waist, I drag her body flush against mine.

As she looks up, I push her hair away from her face.

Her features soften. I’m not done with her.

“It wasn’t a request, it was a statement. You belong to me, whether you like it or not. That ink on the dotted line still stands. Congratulations, you’re the third winner of the Decadence Games. Rules have changed. You don’t get money and freedom. You get a whole different kind of prize. One of my men will show you to your new prison.” I clear my throat and release her.

“I mean home.”

I flash her my best smile as I back away. If this interaction has shown me anything, it’s that she is my weakness, and I need to keep my distance until we are done gaining information.

Then she needs to leave and get far, far away from me and never return.

I’ve hunted down my ghost, and now I need to sage my soul.

“Welcome to hell, heartbreaker.”

I slam the door shut behind me and don’t look back. I can’t.

Resting my back on the closed door, I hear the heavy footsteps of Conan approaching.

“When’s the wedding?” he jokes.

I scowl at him.

“Not in this lifetime.” I push myself off the door and face him.

He rolls his eyes and I resist the urge to slap him.

“Escort her to my home.” I shove my hand in my pocket and pull out my keys, holding the gold one up to him.

“Lock her inside her room. The one next to the master suite.”

He nods and takes the keys.

“You got it. Sure you don’t want her in with you? Celebrate her win? Get reacquainted with her?” He smirks, and I want to smack it off his face.

“No.” I dismiss him.

If I sink in that sweet pussy one more time, I’m done for.

“Grab a notepad and pen and put that in with her. Enzo wants information.”

“Anything else, sir?”

“Don’t push me. Not today. Just get it done and meet me and Finn at your cabin after.”

He frowns.

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