Page 103 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

And I will.

If I have to make her hate me, I will. If I have to get her to believe that our time together has meant nothing but sex and convenience, I’ll do it. If I have to have her really believe this is the same as it was when I set out, a business arrangement, and that things haven’t changed, I’ll fucking do it.

I’ll do anything I have to.

For her.

If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll keep my wife safe.

Even if she never forgives me. Even if she never wants to see me again in her life.

At least she’ll have one.

I hope.

CHAPTER24

HEAVEN

“What are you thinking about?” Matteo nuzzles my ear, sliding an arm around my waist.

I smile. We’re pretending. I know that now. He wants to send me away, and I let him think he will. But I’m not leaving New York. I’m not leaving my rightful place.

Fuck Dominguez.

Fuck these testosterone games.

And fuck Matteo for not wanting me the way I want him.

I’m his wife, yes. But it’s a business arrangement, and any stupid hopes I had are dead in the water.

His arm is a tight band around me, and his tone isn’t reflecting the picture I’m sure we make. No, his tone is a warning, a sharp reminder of the conversation back in the car.

“Nothing, dear. Except how happy you’ve made me.” I bite my fingers into his arm.

And he laughs, but there’s nothing warm in it. “Heaven,amore mio, play the game.”

I gaze at the discreet sign in front of our more upscale restaurant, The White Dove. I used to love coming here with Mom. Sudden, sharp heat blurs my vision, but I blink those tears back. She’d be utterly devastated if she knew this man didn’t want me, that our closeness was nothing more than a sham.

“I understand the game, Matteo.”

“No, you don’t. Not mine. And you…Heaven, you need to trust me, please?”

I want to shout and yell and throw things. Nothing has changed. Not with the arrangement, not with what I unwillingly went into. Unwilling, but dutiful. Except…except everything felt like it had.

I’m nothing more than a fool. I believe him about Dominguez. I can see the worry in Dad. I can see that glint in Conor’s eye.

But Matteo is threatening to take everything from me. Including himself. Even if it is a business arrangement, I want the sex. I want his time. How pathetic am I? I’m half in love with him, like a teenager stupid enough to crave spending time with a crush who uses her.

If it were just loveless, lacking even a hint of warmth, I could do this marriage and get through. Because I’d have the Mulligans, my family. But if he sends me away, he’ll step in and take over and?—

Was that the plan all along?

“Whatever you’re thinking,” he says, kissing my neck, biting a little too sharply as a warning, even as I shiver with need beneath his lips, his touch. “Stop.”

“I hate you.”

“Hate away, Heaven. It’s for the best if you do.”

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