Page 25 of Corrupted Memories
“An alliance,” I say.
Nico’s mouth drops open. “An alliance? With us? Or the Outfit?”
I shrug. “Are we not one and the same? I occupy the spot meant for the Outfit.”
“You are not sworn in.”
Nodding, I glance back down at my vibrating phone. “No, but the leash is around my neck regardless.”
Chapter 9
Gianna
Sebastian is leaningagainst a large black SUV, his arms folded across his chest. His dark t-shirt shows off the defined muscles in his biceps, and I can’t tell what type of pants he’s wearing, but they are fitted and delicious. My stomach swoops at the sight. Even now, I don’t understand how someone so fucking hot is supposedly obsessed with me. Black sunglasses hide his face, but I can feel his eyes on me. When I stop a few steps away from the car, he unfolds his arms and holds out the contract he had hidden, and he taps on the dotted line.
My tongue works my cheek as I walk over, snatching the paper and pen from him and signing it before shoving it back into his chest. His lips quirk as he slides the sunglasses up to the top of his head. He doesn’t say anything as he rolls the papers up and tucks them into his pants.
Nico smiles, walking toward me and grabbing one of my bags.
I raise an eyebrow, then look back at Sebastian. “Not going to help?”
He sighs and pushes off the car, grabbing my other bag off my shoulder.
“A gentleman like always,” I mutter under my breath. Fingers grasp my chin, tilting my face up to his icy eyes.
“Check your attitude, Gianna. You waited twenty-four hours past my deadline, and I’m pissed. Don’t push me any further.”
I grit my teeth, yanking my head away to glare at him. “I can’t just disappear without preparing things first. You didn’t give me much time.”
Sebastian studies my face with a stoic expression. “You work contract graphic design, you don’t have any pets or plants, and your brother has been in and out of your apartment all week. What did you have to prepare?”
“My last will and testament in case you murder me,” I retort in fury. He makes my life seem so insignificant, but he’s the reason it’s like that to begin with.
A growl from deep in his throat has me stepping back. His jaw tics before he squeezes his eyes shutbriefly, then blows out a breath. “Get in the car, Gianna.”
I bite back my words, knowing I’m reaching his limit, and climb into the back seat. Sebastian catches the door before I can slam it closed and slides onto the seat next to me. Nico is upfront, glancing back at us through the rearview mirror with amusement.
“Wait,” Sebastian commands as Nico pulls away from the curb. He snatches my wrist, yanking the bracelet off before I can even react.
“Hey!”
He rolls the window down and tosses it out before turning back to me.
“I was going to let you keep it, but then you acted like a brat. Nico will be searching your bags for any tags too.”
My heart rises into my throat, and because I can’t think of anything to say, I let out a frustrated scream and lunge at him. He catches my wrists as I attempt to punch him before pulling me into his lap, wrapping his arms around me and pinning mine to my sides. Nico snickers from the front seat and the car starts moving forward again.
“Let go of me!” I squirm in his hold, tears gathering in my eyes after a minute with no progress. Years of training, and I blew it before I even had a chanceagain. I feel like a fool, falling right into his trap like a fumbling idiot.
“Calm down. Don’t you care about Jeremy’s life?” he whispers in my ear.
My breathing staggers as my chest rises and falls in quick pants. Sebastian’s fingers caress down my back and I shiver.
“Please let go of me,” I say lower, a soft plea that rests on the edge of desperation. He drops my arms and I scurry to the other side of the car, fixing my clothes back in place.
“You promised when you accepted my deal that you would be here willingly, did you not?” Sebastian asks. His attention is on his phone, as if he can’t bear to look at me.
I swallow down the emotions building in my throat. “I did. I just—that bracelet was the only thing keeping me grounded. I liked knowing that my brother knew where I was. He would never intervene unless I asked him to.”
