Page 36 of Sins of Bliss

“Pleasebe safe,” she stresses.

“Always.”

As safe as I can be around a grenade that’s liable to explode at any moment.

Hanging up, I slip my phone into my clutch right before the elevator doors open up. When they do, a nauseating symphony of erotic sounds echo from all around. Skin slapping against skin, obnoxious, high-pitched moans. Guttural groans.

Stepping into the foyer, I’m immediately greeted with August’s bare ass, and the sight of him pounding into a woman bent over the arm of the couch, whose face I can’t see.

“Welcome home, wife,” he groans as he readjusts his hand so he’s pushing the woman down further into the cushions.

“I’m not your wife yet,” I practically growl. “New friend?” I drop my purse onto the table and kick out of my shoes, haphazardly leaving them right in the middle of the floor.

The second I step foot into this gilded cage, I shake myself free of everything I’ve been taught through my upbringing. Manners, filter, and kindness be damned. August is insistent about this union and shackling himself, so I will be pulling against the chains and making life as difficult as possible for him.

His thrusts increase and I roll my eyes. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. He’s done this practically weekly since forcing me to move in here.

“You know I like my women willing, Vinnie. Are you ready to take her place yet?”

“Not a chance in hell,” I spit, giving him my back as I walk to the guest bedroom—my bedroom.

“Then I’ll keep fucking whomever I please!” he shouts, and I hear the woman cry out from what sounds like pain, not pleasure.

“You do that,” I call over my shoulder as I round the corner.

I barely make it into the room I refer to as my own when I hear him over the moans of the woman—she’s coming, or she’s a fabulous actress. “Be ready to leave in two hours,wife.”

I cut off the rest of his sentence and use my bare foot to slam the door closed, twisting the lock for good merit.

One-hundred and twenty minutes until I have to become an actress myself.

Chapter 12

Sly

Stalking had never been a part of my plan, yet I find myself speeding down Columbus Avenue in the direction of Vincenza’s Central Park Tower apartment.

The summer sun beats down against my black leather riding jacket and gloves as sweat drips from my forehead beneath my helmet. Weaving through the cars, I pay close attention to the road, forcing Vinnie out of my mind as I focus on making it to her building safely, but as quickly as possible.

She wasn’t at work. The woman at the reception desk was less than informative when I asked questions, attempting to gauge Vinnie’s whereabouts.

The clock is ticking—in just over twenty-four hours she’ll be walking down the aisle toward a man who doesn’t deserve her. Toward a man I heavily suspect mistreats her.

The light ahead turns red, and I look left and right as I approach, not bothering to slow my speed as I run the light. Horns honk at me but I pay them no mind and continue onward.

Finding a place to park my motorcycle, I rip the helmet from my head and deposit it onto the seat before I trudge toward the massive building. The doorman gives me a sideways glance, yet opens the door for me, regardless.

The ride in the elevator takes an eternity as I work to steady my breathing, my heart hammering behind my rib cage with every escalating floor. When the elevator dings and I step into the small foyer that allows me to knock on Vincenza’s door, I hesitate.

My mind spirals in the many ways this could go. But I raise my fist and knock before I let my thoughts get too carried away.

Though the apartment seems quiet and empty, I suddenly hear a small bump of furniture.

“I know you’re in there,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “I just want to speak to you for a moment, piccola ladra.Please.”

Moments pass before soft footsteps draw closer. My heart feels as though it may explode at any moment from how quickly it beats. Biting my tongue, I wait with bated breath for her to open the door.

From inside, the locks begin to disengage. When the doorknob twists and finally opens, I am surprised to see Cecilia standing in front of me. Her hair and makeup are done, but she’s wearing a plush bathrobe, which she pulls tighter around her.

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