Page 34 of Sinful Bargains

“Well, I’m not letting him make decisions for me,” I said firmly. “I’ve already had that happen and refuse to fall victim to it again.”

Angela sighed, nodding. “You know what? I agree, Adriana. We’re more than capable of making our own decisions.”

“Well, perhaps youtwoare,” Lucy said, tilting her head. “Butpersonally? I’d love to sit back and let a man make all the decisions for me.”

Angela snorted. “Hector doesn’t do that for you?”

Lucy rolled her eyes. “Hector? That man is practically useless.Don’tget me started.” She exhaled dramatically before flashing me a grin. “And listen, I’mallfor women’s empowerment. But wouldn’t it beempoweringif you just kept the free car?”

“How wouldthatbe empowering?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.

Lucy shrugged. “Well, it’s a free car withyourname on it. You’d be a fool to give it back. If the man is so love-sick that he’s handing out Chevy Impalas, you might as well keep it.”

“He wants something from me,” I stated firmly. “And I’mnotgiving it to him.”

Angela smirked. “No, no—imaginethis. He gifts you something, fully expecting something in return, and you just leave him in the dust.Literally. Now that’s the best move yet.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the two of them. “You two aresomuch help,” I said, shaking my head as I walked toward the driver’s seat.

Lucy pranced over, stopping by the window as I slid inside and started the engine. Leaning down, she smirked at me, resting her arms on the doorframe. “Stay focused,” she warned. “Don’t get distracted by that little act he puts on. Reclaim yourself. Do it formeand mylackof self-control.” I chuckled as she stepped aside, shaking my head as I pulled out onto the road, heading straight for Joey’s shop.

My pulse quickened as I pulled into his wholesale lot and spotted him leaning against the hood of his car, a cigarette dangling lazily from his fingers. He looked too smug for my liking, his eyes gleaming with amusement as I slammed my car door shut and stormed toward him, my heels clicking furiously against the pavement.

“Tell me that isn’t for me,” I shouted, pointing at the car behind me.

He took a long drag, exhaling the smoke, and then smirked. “It’s not for you. It’s for whoever lives on Blythe—the one with a kid and no car. Turns out it was better to buy you a new one than have Gino try to salvage that one you were driving.”

I crossed my arms. “I can’t take this.”

Joey stood straighter, towering over me, and flicked his cigarette to the ground. “Well, it’s a little late for that. The car’s already in your name.”

I was certain my glare could’ve melted steel. “Who do you think you are? You were supposed to help me fix my car, not buy me a new one. I don’t need a man to make decisions for me and my son.”

He shrugged, unfazed. “You’ve got things to do, Adriana. You don’t need to break your back doing them.”

“I don’t want your handouts, Joey!” My voice rose as I tossed my hands in frustration.

He stepped closer, the scent of his cologne mingling with the faint trace of smoke. “Handouts? This isn’t a handout. It’s common sense. You need a car. I own a car wholesale shop. It was an easy fix. Don’t let your pride get in the way.”

I squared up to him, practically seething. “My pride is the only thing I’ve got left! I’ve been doing fine on my own?—”

He cut me off. “No. You’ve beensurviving. And that kid of yours deserves more than just surviving, so I thought I’d help you out.”

That struck a nerve. I stared him down. “You don’t know anything about what we need. I’m his mother. I know what he needs, and I’ll get it for him.”

His smirk returned as he leaned in. “I didn’t know this was how you reacted when you were angry. It’s going to be real hard to stay on mybestbehavior after this.”

Before I could stop him, his hand brushed a strand of hairfrom my face. My breath caught, heat rushing to my cheeks despite my best efforts not to let it affect me. His touch disarmed me, and I hated how much I liked it at the moment.

“Stop it. I know what you’re doing, Joey,” I said.

His grin widened. “What am I doing? What’s it doing to you? The same thing it’s doing to me?”

I took a step back, my heart hammering away. He was onto me, and I couldn’t let that happen. It was too risky to let him in, even if some of me wanted to.

“I’ve got to go get Antonio,” I said softly, trying to steady myself. Every fiber of my being wanted to stay, to feel his gaze, his touch, his presence. But I couldn’t afford to lose myself to another man. I pushed my palms against his chest, forcing the space between us, and spun on my heel. Walking away felt like tearing myself in two.

Behind me, Joey chuckled low and deep, his voice carrying after me. “You’re welcome for the car, Adriana.”

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