Page 223 of Ruin Me With Lies
“That pin,” I cut in, “where did you get it?”
“Oh, uh, it’s a gift,” he answers quickly.“A new investor in our catering company gifted us gold pins and necklaces earlier this evening.”
“What do you know about this investor?”
“N-nothing.”He hesitates, looking frightened.“I don’t…I know nothing about them, sorry.”
I let go and he hurries off.
Glancing around, I listen through the chatter and laughter and clinking flutes, scanning faces, searching for...I don’t even know what.
What’s the message, little liar?What are you trying to tell me?Are you here?Are you close?Do you want me to find you?
A hand settles on my shoulder and I jolt around, pulse spiking.
“Whoa, man.It’s just me.”Gio holds his hands up, taking a step back.“You okay?You look lost.Don’t tell me you’re going senile on me already.”
“She’s here...”The words fall out, thick and sluggish.Maybe Iamgoing senile.
“What?Who’s here?”He dips his chin and squints, reading me.Then sighs.“Ah, man.This is aboutheragain, isn’t it?Seriously, Stefano.You’ve got to get over—”
I stride off, laser-focused, cutting through to the upper right of the room.Through the open door.Up the short hallway.
The swinging doors to the kitchen slap shut behind me as I push through, stepping into a hive of activity, caterers and servers darting in and out.For a brief moment, the room falls silent.They all pause to look at me, then quickly get back to work.
Perfectly aware I’m making them nervous, I move deliberately slowly around the room, searching every face, every corner, opening every door, checking every compartment…
And then I just…stop.Fists clenched as the weight of my own stupidity crashes down on me.
What am I even doing?Fucking hell, I feel like a goddamn pussy-controlled idiot.A madman.Thisis what she does to me.Burrows into my mind like a virus and twists me up.Must be a real thrill for her, messing with my goddamn head like this.
Clearing my throat, I adjust my tie then head back to the party.
Lucy slips her arm through mine, her smile effortless, and we fall back into the rhythm of the night.Smooth and unruffled.
There are 444s all around me, but I ignore them.Done playing Soraya’s game.I’ve done enough.Suffered enough.Endured enough.If she wants me, she knows where to find me.
It’s her move now.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Stefano
“ARE YOU SUREYOUdon’t want to come in?”Lucy asks as we pull up to her place.“I promise I’ll be a good little pet.”
“I’m sure.”
She pouts.It’s cute.Would’ve definitely worked on me pre-Soraya.“Well, if you change your mind…” She leans in and leaves a kiss on my cheek.“You have my keys.”
Once she’s safely inside her house, Oscar asks, “Black Gold or villa, boss?”
“Not sure yet.Just drive.”
My phone buzzes in my hand…
Lorenzo:Gio told me to check on you.What’s going on?
Me:No idea.Gotta ask him.
