Page 77 of Ruin Me With Lies
But…they hadn’t been closing before…
Were they?
There’sno waythis man noticed an attack coming on before I did.No way.
More importantly,whydoes he have my inhaler?
“Let me understand,” Stefano begins as he slips it back into his pocket.“You were ‘bored,’ so you decided to wander down here,barefoot, and suck in secondhand smoke?”
Hmm.Is this the real reason he didn’t want me leaving the office?“I avoided the smoky areas.I’m not that reckless.”
“What about blatantly counting cards and stealing from the business?”
“Just testing your security.”I smile brightly.“Had to see what your response time was like.Verdict?Bit of a lag between when the dealer hit the signal and when your guys showed up.You might wanna tighten that up.”
Stefano blinks slowly.“You really do have a death wish, don’t you?”
“Every day and twice on Tuesdays.”
Something flickers across his face.Like he’s trying to hold something back.He drags a hand down his mouth, glances up at the ceiling, then turns his back to me, hands on his hips.
His broad shoulders lift and falls, and then...shakes.Wait, is helaughing?
Oh my god, heislaughing.Or tryingnotto.And failing.
“Are you crying?”I poke.“My bad.I assumed you could handle constructive criticism.Would you like some privacy to tend to your hurt feelings?”
He stays turned away for several beats.When he finally faces me again, he’s back to blank-faced boss mode.Not a trace of amusement.Bummer.
Like the past minute never happened, he asks, “How’s your foot?”
I glance down at my bandaged ankle.“Oh, it’s fine.I just can’t wear shoes with straps right now.”
“Come on, then.”He takes my hand and pulls me along.“Time for your ass to go back to the villa.”
“Do I get to keep my winnings?”
“You stoleallof it.”
“Fair and square.”
The look he shoots me could wither roses.
God,messing with him is so much fun.
~
“TAKE HER STRAIGHTto the villa,” Stefano tells Oscar once I’m loaded into the back of his Lincoln.“Don’t let her convince you otherwise.She’s good with her words.Block her out.”
“Aw.You flatter m—”
He slams the door in my face and I crack up.
Oscar takes his orders seriously, blocking me out the entire ride, no matter how hard I try to engage.Yeah, he’s a tough one to crack.Perfect for Stefano.
Back at the villa, I head to the Pink House first.Grab a shower, sneak in a secret phone call, then cart over to Lions House.
Cora opens the front door and eyes the bag of cashews I’m snacking on.“Would you like some seafood paella?”
