Page 25 of Heir of Darkness

Luna took a deep breath. “If he loses, the contract is gone.”

“Oh, shit,” Cecilia was the first to say.

“I think he’s about to get a knockout, so your time is running out,” Gianna said, pointing to the ring.

Luna turned back to the ring in a panic. Finn was already kneeling on the floor, desperately trying to catch his breath. Valerio was leaning against the ropes, his chest moving rapidly. He straightened himself out, stalking over to Finn.

Luna caught his gaze. He smirked, knowing he was about to get the winning blow.

Before she could think, she used the one asset she had that she knew Valerio wanted. She grabbed the bottom of her shirt, lifting it up. All she wore underneath was a lacy lilac bra, but enough could be seen through it.

Valerio’s eyes widened before they narrowed, becoming lethal. Luna pulled the shirt back down, her cheeks flaming. The damage was done.

“I guess when in doubt, show your tits,” Gianna muttered, laughing.

“Oh, Luna,” Blair said, shaking her head.

“I had to think quickly,” Luna hissed.

It was enough of a distraction to get Finn to stand back up, about to send out a punch, but Valerio blocked it. He didn’t throw one back though. He jumped out of the ring, marching over to Luna. He didn’t give her a chance to react or say anything before he was pulling her with him.

She struggled to keep up, stumbling over her legs as he hurried to the locker room. He slammed the door behind them, pushing Luna against some of the lockers. The locks dug into her back, but it was the least of her concerns.

Valerio’s eyes were dark and terrifying. She had never seen him look that way before, and she hated that it was centered toward her.

“What the fuck were you thinking?” he practically growled, pushing into her.

“You have to go finish the fight,” she said, trying to change the subject.

“I don’t give a shit about the fight,” he hissed. “What do you think you were doing?”

She swallowed harshly. “You never said I couldn’t distract you.”

“So you decided the best fucking solution was to show your tits to everyone in attendance?” he asked mockingly.

“I had my bra on.” She tried to justify herself, but he wasn’t having any of it.

“How many fucking times do I have to remind you that you are mine? My fiancée, and soon my fucking wife.” His voice sent a chill down her spine.

“I’m not?—”

“Don’t fucking finish that sentence,” he spit out. “I have been patient. I have given you time to accept, but I’m done fucking waiting.”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about our engagement party. A chance for me to declare to everyone, including you, that you are mine.”

Her jaw clenched. “If you force me, I will hate you forever.”

He leaned in closer to her. “You already hate me. What more do I have to lose?”

“Maybe you have nothing to lose, but you have everything to gain if I end up loving you,” Luna said. “This is a sure way to ensure that will never happen.”

“How I see it, that doesn’t seem like even a remotely close possibility.”

Luna wanted something that would give him hope. She didn’t want to dangle anything in front of him, but if it would buy her time before he began moving along with their wedding, then she had to try anything.

She thought of the one thing that was a good enough incentive.

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