But she doesn’t know that yet.

“Here, put this on.” I hand her a plain black mask in the shadows on the street.

She shoots me a suspicious green-eyed look. “I know the drill. I’ve been at one of your nasty little places before.”

“That’s not what you said when I was touching you.”

“Fuck you, Matteo.”

“That’s the idea.”

Today was a revelation. As I settle the mask on her face, my fingers stroking over the silk and heat of her skin, I’m pleased.

Heaven’s starting to trust me. Conor’s the fuckup who keeps on giving, keeps on helping with my ultimate plan of betrayal and victory.

Betrayal to the Mulligans.

Victory over the New York underworld.

And if the pit of my stomach grows heavier when I look at her, knowing what’s likely to happen to her, then that’s something I can deal with.

Once I gain her trust, she’ll let me into how she runs things. I’m not an idiot like her father. I don’t wear blinders. I’m awake, in control, and aware that Heaven has been running things and deftly growing the Mulligan operations.

Perhaps in another world, another reality, winning her completely would mean having her by my side. But the Mulligans have to pay. And I’m not letting such a lucrative deal slip free for pussy. Not even Heaven’s.

She’s beautiful. She’s pure fire. And the core of vulnerability is something I can use, manipulate to my own ends.

“Are you ready?” I ask.

She nods. “As ever.”

I lace my fingers with hers and lead her toward a private entrance.Myprivate entrance.

“Good evening, Mr. Villani.” The doorman, Jase, pulls open the door and ushers us inside.

“Evening,” I say, my hand on the small of Heaven’s back as she enters the darkened labyrinth of sex and sin. We walk down one of the corridors shadowed by a deep red glow that drenches the atmosphere with taboo allure. Her hand clenches mine, and I see her study everything in our path as we move into the central part of the club.

She’s curious. It’s all over her and she’s in a war with herself, trying to cling to the disgust she claims to feel about the place in spite of the passion inside her. Her lack of fear hooks in deep. It makes me want to back her against a wall and plow into her wet pussy with all of the pent-up lust that’s been festering inside of me since the first time I had my head between her legs.

I want to drag her down into the mire, to make her understand she’s no better than anyone or anything in this place. I want her to get on her knees and beg for my cock.

Taking her down this corridor gives me a way to observe her, to decide exactly what I’m going to do and how far I’m going to take it.

No one else is going to touch her, at least, not the way I will. But I want her under a spotlight, ready to give herself to me, body and soul. I want her so soaked in lust and need that she’ll fuck me in front of the world. I want her to show everyone in the basest way possible exactly who she belongs to.

And out of all the clubs I own, this particular club, Sin, is the place to do it. Sin is my personal favorite to visit. Each room hosts a show with a viewing area, and on the other side, in the public domain, are places for eager participants to make their own action.

We pass a room where a rope bondage event is taking place, and Heaven stops short right outside the doorway as one of the goddesses…that’s what we call them…winds one of her gold ropes around her captive.

The goddess slides slowly, methodically, and temptingly down the torso of another woman as she winds more rope. Spectators sit on the velvet couches scattered around the room, some watching, some stroking themselves, some stroking other guests.

Techno music pumps through the speakers, and Heaven’s gaze is on the erotic scene playing out in front of us.

“Come on,” I murmur against her ear, gently tugging her backward. My cock is hard, straining in my pants as Heaven rubs against me. I don’t know if she realizes she’s doing it, but it’s hotter than the straight-up, kink-laden sex fest in front of us.

I slowly run my hand down her body, sliding it up beneath the skirt of her dress and playing over the sliver of silk covering the lips of her pussy.

She’s hot. Wet. Moving her hips, pushing her cunt against my hand.