Chapter 0011
Layla
I sprang away like I’d been burned. Nearly tripping over my own feet in my haste to extract myself from the warm, bare skin of the man I’d once loved.
“Vas–Aldo!” What was he doing in my bathroom? How had he even gotten here? Was this some kind of attempt at reconciliation? “How dare you-‘
“Layla!” His voice was a cruel bark of surprise. “What the hell are you doing in my bedroom?”
“Your bedroom?” My words trailed off as realization struck Carlo had brought me to this room–to Aldo’s room- on purpose. He must have assumed I was the Don’s newest over.
What a pig.
Revulsion burned through me, hard and hot and heavy. The man had so many lovers, apparently, even his second in command couldn’t keep track of them all. I stormed past him and into the bedroom.
Pig. What had happened to whats–her–name, that breathtaking Italian beauty he’d left me for? Apparently he hadn’t loved her that much.
Revulsion turned to anger.
“I’ll find another place to stay.” I snatched my pants off the floor next to the bloodied shirt, dragged them up my thighs. “I wouldn’t want to interfere with your night life.”
“You can stay. I’ll find another room.”
I straightened as Aldo strode through the bathroom door. Still shirtless, a white box clutched in his hands. His face set in that same impassive, expressionless mask.
Even in spite of it all, he was strikingly handsome: the smooth bow of his lips, the prominent lines of his cheekbones, the straight nose. The dark stubble just darkening his strong jaw.
It was no surprise, really, that he found so many lovers. He was handsome–gorgeous. And clearly took care of his body; I couldn’t help noticing he was more muscular than when we’d been together. And of course, he was powerful-
No. He was a pig, I reminded myself. Forcefully. I opened my mouth to spew more venom when a flash of red near his shoulder caught my eye.
My mouth snapped shut.
That was blood.
Blood ran down his shoulder like a crimson waterfall. He was bleeding–no. Not just bleeding; he’d been shot. That was why I’d smelled blood in the car.
My shirt, tossed carelessly to the floor, was splattered with Aldo’s blood.
And now, he stood in the bathroom doorway, a small white medical kit in his hand. Calm, like it was the most normal thing in the world.
“I didn’t realize Carlo would put you here.” His voice had assumed a frigid tone. “Maybe he thought he was being funny. I’ll have a talk with him, clear it up.”
Didn’t take an ex–wife to read the disgust in his voice, like was some kind of virus. A plague on his existence.
1/2
Chapter 0011
+25 BONUS
I forgot about the blood, the gunshot wound, the medical kit. “Oh, so the thought of me being in your bedroom is a joke?”
This man, who’d betrayed and abandoned me eight years ago was now treating me like a joke. An inconvenience. He swept past me without meeting my gaze. And he didn’t even have the respect to look me in the eye and admit it! What an absolute ass.
“I want the truth.” I said, hard enough, cold enough–commanding enough–he actually stopped beside the bed.” What’s going on, Aldo? Why are there people watching me?
Aldo sighed, and I thought he might just walk away. Leave the question unanswered, like the bastard he was. Why should I expect truth from a life built of lies?
Instead, he sat down on the bed and opened the medical kit on his lap.
I could only watch in wide–eyed wonder as he extracted a small knife and pressed it against his bloody shoulder. He was cutting the bullet out, I realized, my brain fuzzy and slow with shock.
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