Page 49 of The Contract

Yet here I am, driven by the savage need to obliterate every last one of her defenses. To crush each barrier until she’s stripped bare, raw and trembling exactly where she belongs…

On her fucking knees, beautifully broken, and utterly mine.

I wrench my phone from my pocket and stab in the number. It barely rings once before the line picks up.

“Yes, sir?”

“Shitty green sedan. Just left. Stay on her. And get me another car.”

“Yes, sir.”

I disconnect, glancing down as a text vibrates through.

Enzo

Look out for Riley.

Seriously?

As usual, his timing is fucking impeccable.

I shake my head, glancing down at the faint, damp trace of Riley on my slacks.

Enzo would shoot first and ask questions never if he knew I was gift-wrapping my depraved desires and leaving them at his wife’s baby sister’s doorstep.

Even now, with her come on my clothes, her scent burning my lungs, Riley lingers in my mind like fine cigar smoke, slow and addictive, clouding every shred of logic.

My thumbs dance across the screen, firing back a short, clipped reply.

Me

Riley who?

CHAPTER 14

Riley

“Where to?” Caleb asks as we slide into the car.

Reality sucker-punches me so fast my head spins.

I can’t go home. And my bank account’s emptier than a sinner’s confessional. Which leaves exactly one place—one godawful, roach-infested place that’s my last salvation.

Kennedy’s abandoned shoebox of an apartment.

She’s prepaid two months’ rent, in case things went spectacularly sideways. At the time, I figured zombie apocalypse. Not mafia vendetta.

Either way, no one sane would ever look for me there.

“Head toward Bellami Subs,” I tell Caleb, my voice thin.

The drive is quiet.

At least, at first.

Soon enough, Caleb’s voice breaks the silence, deceptively casual. “You know, Riley, it doesn’t have to be this hard. Help me and I’ll help you.”

“Help how?”

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